Saraya aka Paige says AEW signing her brother was a factor in why she joined the company

While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Saraya aka Paige discussed her decision to sign with AEW in 2022. Here are the highlights courtesy of ChrisVanVliet.com…

“I was never open to the idea of wrestling again, because I just assumed I wasn’t going to do it. So when me and WWE parted ways, I was like, What the f*ck am I going to do with my life now? I can’t wrestle, what the hell am I going to do? I was a little stressed out, but then, within a couple of weeks, WWE was calling me again to come back. Hunter [Triple H] was the one that called me, and then AEW called me at the same time. So I was just like, well, what the f*ck do I do? Who do I go with? And then WWE was like, if you want to wrestle again at some point, we can check your neck and we’ll keep that coin in your back pocket. And I was like, Okay. Then I was just gonna do a GM role again there. So I was like, Okay, that sounds great. But then AEW called me, and they were just like, we’ll sign your brother [Zak Knight]. And I was like, ok.”

“The one thing for me is that I’ve had an incredible career, but my brother’s never had the opportunity to do it, and that’s been his dream since he could tie his boots. So I just knew at that point, I was like if I take this opportunity, I don’t know if WWE will ever sign my brother, but I know AEW has given me the opportunity to bring my brother in, and he can finally get his moment. That’s one of the big catalysts of why I went to AEW is because, obviously, you get freedom to do whatever you want. But they were going to bring my brother in finally. I was out here by myself for 13 and a half years without my brother. We grew up like twins, because we’re so close in age, 14 months. So I was so used to him being around, and then I got the opportunity, and he didn’t, and it always f*cked with me. I felt so bad for him that he never got the opportunity. So having this, I was like, Okay, I’m going to AEW, that’s it. My brother’s coming with me. He’s going to move over, I’ll have my brother back. So yeah, that was the biggest thing why I went to AEW. Then Tony [Khan] was like, let’s see where your neck is at and stuff, and I’ve been dying to see where my neck is at. It’s been over five years at this point. So I was like, hell yeah, dude, let’s do it. But I said, I don’t want a wrestling doctor. Not saying wrestling doctors are biased, but you want someone that is a little bit more timid when it comes to physical activity. So I went to one here in California, and he does massive celebrities. I mean, like huge singers, you go into his office and they’re just A-List everywhere. I don’t realize how many people have f*cking neck surgeries around here. So I was blown away. So I was like, Okay, if he says, Yes, I can go back, that means I can go back, because he’s not going to put his career on the line here for me. Because, again, he has a roster of just amazing people.”

According to PWInsider.com, Knight left AEW after his contract expired in early 2025.