Paige delivered a stunning comeback at WrestleMania 42, stepping in for Nikki Bella in the Women’s Tag Team Championship match and securing victory in her first WWE bout in eight years.
Dramatic In-Ring Return
The 33-year-old superstar, known as the youngest Women’s Champion and inaugural NXT Women’s Champion in company history, pinned Alexa Bliss with her signature RamPaige move to claim the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles alongside Brie Bella.
Nikki Bella appeared at the top of the ramp, announcing she was medically unfit to compete due to a severe ankle injury sustained on a recent RAW episode. The WWE Hall of Famer explained she enlisted an old friend to ensure her sister Brie could fulfill her WrestleMania moment.
Paige, hailing from Norwich, received a massive crowd reaction as she entered Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Career Resurgence
Forced to retire from in-ring action at the end of 2017 following a serious neck injury, Paige transitioned to on-screen roles, including SmackDown General Manager. Her contract with WWE expired in 2022 amid a strong desire to return to wrestling.
After departing, she competed in 27 matches with AEW and captured their world title at All In in Wembley Stadium in 2023. This marked her first WWE match since her injury-forced hiatus.
That same year also saw personal challenges, including the leak of explicit videos online, one of the earliest such incidents involving a professional wrestler.
At just 33, Paige brings a hard-hitting style and aligns perfectly with WWE’s current roster of talented women.
