Clarification On Saraya’s Role Within AEW

Following her blockbuster AEW debut during Grand Slam Dynamite, there appears to be official confirmation on the in-ring status of Saraya, at least for the time being.

Saraya became the latest ex-WWE Superstar to make her debut with All Elite Wrestling, debuting with the company during Grand Slam Dynamite as she came to the aid of Athena and Toni Storm against Dr Britt Baker, D.M.D, Jamie Hayter, and Rebel. Though she didn’t get physically involved, there’s hope that Saraya may one day return to the ring.

Per Dave Meltzer in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, however, it looks as if the former Paige is still on the injured list. Meltzer noted that Saraya isn’t yet cleared, hence why she didn’t get physical on Dynamite:

“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 last wrestled on 27 December 2017, taking a kick from Sasha Banks during an untelevised live event that ultimately ended her in-ring career. The two-time WWE Divas Champion suffered an impact injury to her neck that prohibited her from competing, leading to numerous non-wrestling roles in WWE.

She officially left the company on 7 July, though it’s stated that WWE was keen to re-sign her under the new regime before she made her AEW debut.