Last week’s Grand Slam episode of AEW Dynamite saw the surprise appearance of former WWE Star and WWE NXT Women’s Champion Paige (Saraya) following the 4-Way Interim AEW Women’s World Title Match between Interim AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm, Britt Baker, Serena Deeb and Athena as Toni Storm and Athena was being attacked by Deeb, Baker, Jamie Hayter and Rebel. Since then, several AEW fans have wondered what role does Saraya exactly have in the promotion.
Saraya did not get physical during the post-match segment, but she did say that AEW was her house now and Britt Baker did note in various interviews in the past that Saraya is one of her dream opponents, which is why it seemed AEW was starting to tease a feud between Saraya and Britt Baker.
Dave Meltzer noted on a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that former WWE Superstar Saraya has not been cleared as of very recently, which would explain why she didn’t get physical last week on AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, but she does like to be cleared very soon.
This is what Dave Meltzer said:
“WWE kept her under contract until her deal expired on 7/7, and AEW had talked with her shortly after that. Tony Khan had promised a surprise or two in the days leading to the show. He had kept her name very quiet. There is no answer to the question as to what role she will play, if she will wrestle regularly, sparingly, or not at all…If she is going to wrestle, and can go at her prior level, she will be a good addition.”
“But it was notable in her run-in she didn’t touch anyone, and with WWE, not only was she not allowed to wrestle, but nobody was allowed to touch her. We were told that she had not been cleared as of very recently, which would explain not touching anyone, but would like to be cleared.”
Saraya hasn’t competed inside of a wrestling ring since 2017 due to her spinal stenosis, but WWE Hall of Famers Edge and “The Icon” Sting were able to finally get medically cleared years after being told they couldn’t wrestle anymore due to their spinal stenosis, so it may only be a matter of time before Saraya gets medically cleared as well.
