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Paige’s Next WWE Appearance Announced After WrestleMania 42 Saturday

By Sridhar Krishnan • Published Apr 19, 2026 11:40 EDT
Paige returned at WWE WrestleMania 42 - Source: WWE.com
Paige returned at WWE WrestleMania 42 - Source: WWE.com

Paige marked her stunning return to WWE during Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 on Saturday.

The former multi-time Divas Champion was introduced by Nikki Bella ahead of the 4-way Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Over the last few weeks, Nikki had been dealing with an injury and appeared on crutches at the event.

While introducing the 33-year-old, she referred to her as “an old friend,” calling back on their time together in the company in the 2010s.

As soon as her music hit, the crowd in Allegiant Stadium rose to its feet, welcoming back the former champion. It was Paige’s first appearance in the company after leaving in June 2022.

In September of that year, she joined AEW under her real name, Saraya. She also regained full fitness and competed as part of the women’s roster, becoming a 1-time Women’s World Champion.

She left the Jacksonville-based company in 2025 after mutually agreeing with the higher-ups.

Paige’s return to WWE on Saturday ended in a similar outcome as it did when she made her main roster debut back in 2011, which was by winning a championship.

Teaming up with Brie Bella, she capitalized on the distraction caused by Nikki outside, when she attacked Charlotte Flair with her crutches.

Flair’s partner, Alexa Bliss, attempted her Twisted Bliss finisher, but the returning star got her knees up. She then followed it up with the Rampaige DDT for the victory.

WWE Announces Paige’s Next Appearance

Since winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, Paige has been in a celebratory mood.

Taking to X, she posted a picture of herself backstage with the tag titles, accompanied by the Bella Twins and AJ Lee, who had recently vouched for her return to the company. In the caption, she also referenced winning the championship on “another” debut.

Meanwhile, her next public appearance was announced by the wrestling promotion’s social media account, which will be at WWE World on Sunday.

AJ Lee, who is one of her closest friends, was also in action on Night 1 of WrestleMania 42, as she defended the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Becky Lynch.

Unfortunately, the result did not end up in her favor, thanks to Lynch utilizing an exposed turnbuckle to her advantage.

Lynch first pulled in referee Jessika Carr to shield her just when Lee was performing a running attack. She then tore off the turnbuckle when Carr was distracted.

She smashed Lee’s head on the exposed turnbuckle and followed it up with the Manhandle Slam for the successful pinfall. Thus, Lynch extended her Women’s International Championship reign to an unprecedented three times.

While Nikki Bella’s action at WrestleMania was that of a heel, it remains to be seen how the trio is presented during their appearance on the Raw episode tomorrow.