5 Shocking Ways The Paige WWE 'Sextape' Scandal Reshaped Saraya's Career And Legacy In 2025
The 2017 leak of private videos and photos featuring former WWE Superstar Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis) remains one of the most devastating and public invasions of privacy in professional wrestling history. While the initial scandal nearly derailed her career and led to severe mental health struggles, the current narrative, as of December 2025, is one of extraordinary resilience and reinvention. This is not just a story of a scandal, but of how Saraya-Jade Bevis transformed a moment of public humiliation into a foundation for a stronger, more authentic second act in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and beyond.
The controversy, which involved content featuring fellow wrestler Xavier Woods and former WWE developmental talent Brad Maddox, forced the 'Anti-Diva' to confront her personal demons publicly. Today, as Saraya prepares for a potential in-ring comeback and the release of her revealing memoir, the long-term impact of the leak is less about the content itself and more about the powerful mental health advocacy and career pivot it inspired.
Saraya-Jade Bevis: Complete Biography and Professional Profile
Saraya-Jade Bevis is a British professional wrestler, actress, and author who achieved global fame in WWE as Paige before reinventing herself in AEW as Saraya. Her career is defined by groundbreaking achievements, intense personal struggles, and an unwavering connection to her family's wrestling legacy.
- Ring Names: Paige (WWE), Saraya (AEW), Britani Knight (Independent Circuit)
- Birth Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
- Born: August 17, 1992 (Age 33 as of late 2025)
- Hometown: Norwich, Norfolk, England
- Family: Ricky Knight (Father), Sweet Saraya (Mother), Zak Zodiac (Brother)
- Debut: 2005 (Age 13)
- Major Promotions: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
- Key Achievements:
- Youngest two-time WWE Divas Champion.
- Inaugural NXT Women's Champion.
- First woman to hold both the NXT Women's and WWE Divas Championships simultaneously.
- Film/Media: Subject of the 2019 biopic Fighting with My Family, produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
- Upcoming Project: Memoir, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives (Scheduled March 2025 release).
The 2017 Leak: A Catastrophic Invasion of Privacy and Mental Health Crisis
The incident that became known as the 'Paige sextape' scandal occurred in March 2017 when hackers illegally obtained and published private videos and photos from her personal phone. The content, which included footage with fellow WWE talent, immediately went viral, creating a media firestorm that overshadowed her professional career.
The Immediate Fallout and Rock Bottom
The public humiliation was instantaneous and devastating. Saraya has spoken openly about the intense emotional toll, stating she felt "rock bottom" and contemplated suicide.
- Public Scrutiny: The wrestling community and mainstream media scrutinized every aspect of her private life, leading to rampant online bullying and shaming.
- Internal WWE Strain: The scandal reportedly strained her relationships within WWE and created a tense environment, especially as she was already dealing with a serious neck injury and two Wellness Policy suspensions.
- Relationship Turmoil: The leaks coincided with her volatile relationship with former WWE and TNA star Alberto Del Rio (José Rodríguez), which was itself a source of negative headlines and controversy.
- Substance Abuse: In the wake of the trauma, Saraya has admitted to struggling with substance abuse, using it as a coping mechanism during one of the darkest periods of her life.
The entire ordeal was a stark example of the dangers of revenge porn and the lack of privacy afforded to public figures, regardless of the legality or consent involved in the original private content.
Saraya's Post-Scandal Reinvention: From Paige to AEW Star
The true story of the 'Paige sextape' is not its existence, but the way Saraya-Jade Bevis has used the trauma to fuel her professional and personal rebirth. Her journey from the darkness of the leak to her current status in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) highlights a powerful narrative of recovery and redemption.
1. The Champion of Mental Health and Sobriety
The most significant long-term impact of the scandal is Saraya's commitment to mental health advocacy. She sought professional help, including therapy and working with a sober coach, to overcome depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
- Public Transparency: By discussing her struggles openly on podcasts, interviews, and social media, she has become a voice for victims of cyber-harassment and those battling mental illness.
- The Recovery Arc: Her narrative shifted from "scandal-ridden star" to "resilient survivor," a key element that resonates deeply with her fanbase today.
2. The Hollywood Biopic That Omitted the Leak
In 2019, Saraya's life story was immortalized in the critically acclaimed film Fighting with My Family, produced by Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
- Narrative Control: The film, which focused on her rise from a small-town British family to the WWE main roster, notably omitted the 2017 leak and the subsequent controversies. This allowed her to present a positive, aspirational story to a global, mainstream audience, effectively separating the 'Paige' wrestling persona from the personal trauma of Saraya-Jade Bevis.
3. The AEW Rebirth and Contract Countdown
After her WWE contract expired, Saraya made a shocking debut in AEW in September 2022, marking a fresh start under her real name. This move allowed her to completely shed the 'Paige' identity that was inextricably linked to the scandal and her career-ending neck injury.
- Current Status (2025): Saraya's AEW contract is a major point of discussion, with reports indicating it is set to expire in September 2025. This uncertainty keeps her in the wrestling headlines and fuels speculation about a potential return to WWE or a re-signing with AEW.
- In-Ring Future: Despite a previous career-ending neck injury, Saraya has been cleared to wrestle and is reportedly planning to ramp up her training for a significant in-ring comeback as early as January 2026, further proving her determination to control her own destiny.
4. The Unvarnished Truth: Memoir Release in 2025
The most current and definitive step in Saraya's journey of reclaiming her story is the publication of her memoir, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, scheduled for March 2025.
- Full Disclosure: The book is expected to provide the most candid details yet on the leak, the context of her relationship with Alberto Del Rio, her substance abuse issues, and the difficult conversations she had with WWE management.
- Reclaiming the Narrative: This proactive step ensures that the definitive version of her life, including the controversial details, is told in her own words, cementing her control over her legacy.
5. A Permanent Shift in Wrestling's Conversation on Privacy
The long-term legacy of the Paige/Saraya scandal is its role in changing the conversation around privacy and exploitation in the wrestling industry. Her experience, alongside others, served as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of performers to cyber-crimes and the need for better support structures.
Saraya's journey, from the depths of a devastating personal leak to becoming a celebrated, active performer and a published author in 2025, is a testament to her 'Anti-Diva' spirit. She didn't just survive the scandal; she absorbed it, learned from it, and used it to build a more powerful, resilient, and enduring career.
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