Ex-Champion Admits They Were “Carried” On AEW Debut

A former AEW star has admitted they didn’t do enough.

At AEW Full Gear 2022, Saraya wrestled her first match since suffering a second serious neck injury in December 2017.

For several years it was believed her career was over but after leaving WWE she achieved her dream opposite Britt Baker on an emotional November night in Newark, New Jersey. However, her memories of that match aren’t as positive as many might think.

During a new interview with Muscle Man Malcolm, Saraya reflected on that match with Baker and candidly admitted she hadn’t done enough training before getting in the ring. The British star said Baker had to carry her through the match as she was underprepared.

“You know, it was my first match back in like five years. I hadn’t really done enough training in my opinion, like Britt had to carry me big time. I was nervous, my wind wasn’t perfect yet. That’s one thing I wish I could go back and do again for sure, maybe we can run it back one more time.

Without Britt — I’m just so thankful for her because she was patient with me, she helped me, she talked to me throughout the whole thing. I felt like a deer in headlights.”

Saraya Disappointed By AEW Performances

On a similar theme, Saraya said her in-ring performances in AEW had fallen short of her expectations. The star said she felt like she wasn’t giving wrestling her “entire all” during the last couple of years, admitting she’s frustrated with how things played out.

Since leaving AEW in March, Saraya has repeatedly stated that she wants to train with Natalya before resuming her in-ring career, likely in 2026.

Saraya has wrestled a total of 28 matches since breaking her neck in late 2017, with her most recent outing coming in early October 2024.

H/t to Fightful