Paige Blames Herself For Career-Ending Injury

Former WWE Superstar Paige has opened up about the career-ending injury she sustained during a match with Sasha Banks.

In 2016, Paige – now going by her real name of Saraya – suffered a neck injury which led to her missing over a year of action. She made her return in November 2017 alongside the newly debuting Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose with the trio calling themselves Absolution.

Unfortunately, the return was cut short at a Live Event that December. On the show, Saraya teamed with Rose and Deville to take on the team of Bayley, Mickie James, and Sasha Banks. During the bout, Banks caught the two-time Diva’s Champion with a strong kick to the back which reinjured her neck.

The neck injury forced Saraya to retire from the ring and some fans blame Sasha Banks’ devastating kick for the retirement to this day.

The first-ever NXT Women’s Champion recently spoke about the injury during Turning the Paige at Starrcast V, saying she hates the heat directed towards Sasha Banks from fans as she considers it to be her own fault.

“I hated that [the heat on Sasha for the spot]. Wrestling isn’t ballet, I say ballet, but ballet is tough. It is not the smoothest floor, you are going to get hurt in your career.

“I thought I could come back and do exactly the same thing as what I could do prior to my first injury. And that’s on me, that’s my fault.”

“I did the same move with Bayley literally the day before, and unfortunately the timing was a little bit off, it is what it is.”

Saraya parted ways with WWE on July 7th after the company decided against renewing her contract. At the time of writing, there is no word on what the future holds for the former Paige.

H/T to Inside The Ropes for the above transcription.