WWE superstar Paige has confirmed that she’ll never wrestle again after suffering yet another neck injury in December.
Paige, whose real name is Saraya-Jade Bevis, is believed to have suffered the recurrence of a long-standing neck injury when she was kicked at a show in New York on December 28 and experienced a stinger.
During a tag-team match at Nassau Coliseum, Paige struggled to get back to her feet after being kicked in the back by Sasha Banks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yc6wZqE5yo
https://twitter.com/Its0nlyRachel/status/946188399031017474?tfw_creator=DarrMurphy&tfw_site=JOE_co_uk&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fentertainment%2Fbritish-wwe-superstar-paige-reportedly-forced-to-retire-after-kick-to-back-157225
In January, Paige was told that she would not be able to take part in the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble before it was ultimately advised that she should hang up her wrestling boots for good.
She took to the ring on Monday Night Raw this week to deliver the bad news that she has been forced to retire from the business which she described as “her heart, her soul and her blood’.”
"Unfortunately due to neck injuries, I can no longer perform in this ring as an in-ring competitor." – @RealPaigeWWE #RAW #RAWAfterMania pic.twitter.com/Ri3eVtSG4c
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
“As much as it hurts me to say this, now I’m going to have to go and find something else,” Paige said.
“I would like to thank WWE for letting me do this and entertain every single one of you for the past four years.
“This New Orleans, four years ago, is where I debuted and won the Divas Championship.
Four years ago in New Orleans, @RealPaigeWWE debuted and won the #DivasChampionship.
Tonight in New Orleans, she retires from the ring. #RAW #ThankYouPaige pic.twitter.com/IiCa2olid5
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
“And four years later New Orleans is where I want to retire.
“So I want to say thank you to every single one of you.”
Paige made her wrestling debut at the age of 13 and played a pivotal role in making the WWE’s female division what it is today.
In spite of a couple of suspensions over the past two years, it’s understood that Paige remains well-liked by WWE management and that she may be offered a role in the company away from competition.
After the entire crowd chanted “thank you, Paige,” her fellow superstars paid tribute to the retiring star’s contribution to company.
https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/983518120555016193?tfw_creator=NatalieEvans85&tfw_site=mirrorfighting&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2Fwrestling%2Fwwe-paige-retires-raw-injury-12334894
https://twitter.com/NikkiCrossWWE/status/983520297818185728
Can’t even put into words how thankful I am for you @RealPaigeWWE … you have taught me so much in such a short period of time, from Tough Enough to now. Love you and thank you 🙏🏻♥️ #ThankYouPaige
— Mandy (@mandysacs) April 10, 2018
She is a star & I can’t wait to see what she does next. Love you so much!! @RealPaigeWWE #ThankYouPaige
— Lina Fanene (@LinaFanene) April 10, 2018
This will always be your house @RealPaigeWWE ❤️ Thank you for changing the game forever #ThankYouPaige
— Noelle Foley (@NoelleFoley) April 10, 2018
Thank you @RealPaigeWWE for being one of my all time favorite opponents I’ve ever worked with in the ring. I’m so proud of you for being so strong but I’m also so excited for so many incredible opportunities coming your way. You’re a star and you were born to shine! I 🖤 you! pic.twitter.com/L1erOWqdlO
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) April 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/DakotaKai_WWE/status/983517854598299648?tfw_creator=NatalieEvans85&tfw_site=mirrorfighting&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2Fwrestling%2Fwwe-paige-retires-raw-injury-12334894
https://twitter.com/KillianDain/status/983517214769844224?tfw_creator=NatalieEvans85&tfw_site=mirrorfighting&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2Fwrestling%2Fwwe-paige-retires-raw-injury-12334894
❤️ #ThankYouPaige #ThisIsYourHouse
— Jessica McKay (@JessicaMcKay) April 10, 2018
Thank you for the revolution. Thank you @RealPaigeWWE. We love you #RAW
— Cathy Kelley (@catherinekelley) April 10, 2018