Women’s Tag Team title match part of next WWE Raw lineup

A Women’s Tag Team title match is part of the next WWE Raw lineup.

Greensborough, North Carolina next week will see a Women’s Tag Team title match where champions Paige and Brie Bella will take on Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez of the Judgement Day. Meanwhile, the Oba Femi Open Challenge will continue as long as there is someone, anyone, is willing to take on the man that defeated Brock Lesnar in quick fashion at WrestleMania 42.

Paige & Bella were confronted on Monday by their future challengers. Perez said she loved watching Paige and Bella back when they were young and relevant, and asked Bella if she remembered meeting her when she was a kid. Perez said that Bella told her that she could carry on the Bella legacy, but accused Bella of setting the bar too low.

After asking the duo to hand over the titles before another one of Paige’s scandals breaks, the champions attacked their challengers but Liv Morgan arrived to stack the odds against them.

Oba Femi came out on Raw for his open challenge, only for Adam Pearce to arrive and announce the challenge had been cancelled because no one wanted to face Femi. The irate ruler then headed backstage to find competition himself, running into Berto and Angel who earlier in the night were looking for an opportunity from Pearce. Femi dragged both to the ring and easily destroyed the two, picking up the win in an impromtu 2-on-1 handicap match.

WWE Raw (May 18)

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella & Paige defend against Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez
  • Oba Femi Open Challenge continues

WWE Raw live results: Jacob Fatu, Roman Reigns Acknowledgement Ceremony

Date: May 11, 2026
Location: Food City Center in Knoxville, TN 

The Big Takeaway —

For the twelfth straight week, Raw did not have a main event match, but rather, ended with a non-wrestling segment. 

It was not a particularly noteworthy show, either. It ended with Jacob Fatu standing tall over a fallen Roman Reigns for the third straight week. It wasn’t enough of a beat-down to keep Reigns out of action for any length of time, as it was fairly similar to the angles we’ve seen already. Fatu also laid out the Usos. 

Elsewhere on the show, Iyo Sky said good-bye to Asuka, who appears to be gone, at least for a while. 

**********

Show Recap — 

After a Backlash recap video, wrestlers were shown arriving, and the announcers ran down tonight’s card. 

Adam Pearce approached Roman Reigns as he arrived at the arena in Knoxville. Pearce wasn’t sure Jacob Fatu deserved to even be here tonight after what he did at Backlash. Reigns wanted to know where his title (belt) was and why it wasn’t in his hand. A random stagehand ran up and handed Reigns his belt. 

Pearce reiterated that he didn’t think Fatu deserved to be here tonight, or even at all. Reigns said Pearce couldn’t fire Fatu, at least not tonight. Reigns was the one who brought him in, and he would be the one to take him out. 

******* 

The Vision segment 

Paul Heyman entered with Bron Breakker, Logan Paul and Austin Theory. Heyman talked about the devastation Breakker handed out at Backlash. Heyman said Seth Rollins claimed Breakker wasn’t ready, but it was Rollins who wasn’t. Rollins would never get a victory over any of them. Heyman expunged Rollins from the record of ever being a part of the Vision and said they would never mention his name again. 

They moved on to the Street Profits. Theory said the Street Profits needed the tag titles because they didn’t have Bianca Belair to pay the bills. 

Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins interrupted. Ford said Theory was right that Belair was busy with the baby, so somebody had to come to Raw to beat the Vision’s asses. The Street Profits wanted the titles. (Dawkins did not say anything, and Ford has done most, if not all, of the talking since they returned.) 

Paul called the Street Profits a legendary team, but they were old news, and the only notable thing Ford has done lately was organize a baby shower. Paul asked if Ford’s balls were in his red solo cup. 

Paul was tired of the talk, but was interrupted by Joe Hendry, who randomly appeared at ringside and sang his “Fire Logan Paul” song until they went to break. The opening match began during the break. 

Six-man tag team match: Bron Breakker & Tag Team Champions Logan Paul & Austin Theory vs. The Street Profits & Joe Hendry

Hendry made a hot tag and hit Paul with clotheslines and a fallaway slam before doing his little pose. Theory, not the legal man, attacked Hendry in front of the referee to give his team the advantage again. (Ford and Dawkins were out of the ring while this happened.) 

There was a boring heat segment during commercials until Hendry made a hot tag right in time for them to return from break. Ford and Dawkins knocked Breakker out of the ring before Ford wiped him out with a flip dive. Theory avoided a splash, but Ford gave him a powerslam instead for two. 

Dawkins tagged in, and the Profits set up for a double-team move, but Paul knocked Ford off the top rope. Hendry charged after Paul outside the ring, but Paul sent him into the steel steps. (That was it for Hendry in this match and post-match.) 

Breakker set up for a running spear around the ring, but Seth Rollins appeared and clotheslined Breakker. The referee somehow did not see this. Theory did see it, and it distracted him long enough for Dawkins to apply a schoolboy for the pinfall win. 

— Theory attacked Dawkins after the match, but Rollins dumped Theory out of the ring. 

Rollins helped Dawkins to his feet. However, Rollins dodged as Breakker went for a spear, and Dawkins got speared instead. Rollins superkicked Breakker out of the ring. Ford saw Dawkins down on the mat and got into a shoving match with Rollins. 

Match result: Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford & Joe Hendry defeated Austin Theory, Logan Paul & Bron Breakker (12:20) 

********

Backstage, Pearce met with the Original El Grande Americano, Bruto Credo and Julio Credo. Pearce was trying to clarify their new identities, and the Creeds pretended not to speak English even though it’s already been established that these are the Creed Brothers. 

Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio interrupted. Gable Americano didn’t appreciate being interrupted. Morgan tried to dismiss him, but Americano said this was serious lucha business. Dom said he wasn’t even a real luchador, and Americano was offended. 

Pearce decided to make Dom defend his AAA Mega Championship against Americano tonight. 

As Pearce turned to leave, Angel and Berto approached him to ask for an opportunity. Pearce was more than happy to listen. 

********

Penta and Ethan Page segment 

Penta entered. He called himself a fighting champion, and if Ethan Page wanted a title match, he should say it to his face. Page entered. 

Page mocked Penta for hiding behind face paint and a mask. Page did not hide. He was all ego, Ethan Page, and he hailed from the greatest country on Earth, Canada. He pinned Penta last week, so that should make him the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship, but Penta was probably afraid to lose to him again. 

Penta said he was not afraid and challenged Page to a match right now. Page gave Penta credit for being willing to defend the title, but Page wasn’t ready right now. 

Page said Penta didn’t understand what his title meant. The IC title was the token of excellence in WWE. Every mega star had to hold that title to prove themselves, and Page was the next mega star. The title deserved the spotlight, so Page challenged him to a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event instead. 

Penta urged Page to work hard if he wanted the title, because he was ready for war and would be ready. 

Rusev interrupted. Rusev said Page amused him. They both beat Penta last week, and it was Rusev who bounced Penta’s head off the announce desk. Page interrupted, but Rusev intimidated him, so Page let him continue. Rusev wanted a title match. 

Page claimed he talked to Pearce earlier and tried to get Rusev a title match first, but Je’Von Evans barged in and questioned why Rusev would get a title match if he couldn’t even beat him. 

Evans immediately interrupted (so he must’ve been waiting around Gorilla in case someone said his name). Evans said Page’s ugly-ass was lying because none of that happened. Evans didn’t talk to Page or Pearce, and didn’t say Rusev couldn’t beat him, even if that last part was true. 

Page shoved Evans into Rusev, which led to a brawl, and the babyfaces stood tall. During a break, Pearce made a match between Evans and Rusev (our second impromptu match so far). 

The crowd didn’t seem to care too much about any of this. 

Je’Von Evans vs. Rusev

Before the match started, Evans flew into the ring and clobbered Rusev with a running knee. The referee separated them to start the match, and Evans hit another knee strike. Rusev got the heat later by shoving Evans into the ring steps. 

Evans came back with a Whisper in the Wind, a hurricanrana, and a dropkick, but Rusev blocked his suicide dive attempt and gave him a fallaway slam onto the announce table. Another boring heat segment led to Evans making his comeback after a break, hitting a springboard clothesline for two. 

Rusev cut him off and hit a Ura-nage and Machka Kick for two. Rusev was frustrated that Evans kicked out, saying, “He’s a freaking child!” 

Evans came back with kicks, a leaping dive, and an OG Cutter for the clean pinfall win. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans defeated Rusev (12:11) 

An ok match, but a nice win for Evans. 

********

Two members of the Tennessee Volunteers football team were at ringside. 

There was a video package for the AAA Mega Championship and the Dom/Americano match tonight. 

Asuka and IYO SKY segment 

Asuka approached Iyo Sky backstage. Asuka gave her a big hug. She said he was looking for someone to take over her position, and finally, Sky was that person. She was glad it was Sky, and she was proud of her. 

Sky said they would always be family, even if they fought. Sky said, “Goodbye, Asuka-san,” and they hugged. Asuka said a few words in Japanese before kissing Sky’s forehead. Asuka left with her luggage. 

********

Paige and Brie Bella answer Judgment Day 

Brie Bella and Paige entered with their tag team title belts. They were ready for a fight, but they wondered where Judgment Day was after they made their challenge last week. 

Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez entered. Perez said she loved watching Paige and Bella on TV back when they were young and still relevant. Perez asked Brie if she remembered meeting her. Perez said Brie told her that she could carry on the Bella legacy, but she set the bar too low. 

Brie said it was Morgan who set the bar low. Brie wanted Perez to make her own legacy, not be a footnote for “the Judgment’s Day.” Brie said, “There’s someone more disappointed in you than me: your mom!” 

Rodriguez held back Perez from going after her. Rodriguez turned her attention to Paige—the girl who’s been given a million chances only to fumble each one. Rodriguez said we were all waiting for Paige’s next big scandal to hit, but they could save everyone the time by handing over the title belts right now. 

Paige and Brie attacked Judgment Day, but Morgan jumped in from behind to even the odds. Judgment Day laid out the champs. 

(This wasn’t good. This particular crowd does not seem interested in these talking segments tonight.) 

********

Jimmy Uso told Reigns that Jey was outside waiting for Fatu to talk him out of going to the ring tonight. Reigns wasn’t sure why he would do that. Jimmy thought Reigns should leave Fatu alone. 

Reigns said they made an agreement, and Fatu put his name on the contract. They were men of their word, and they were on top of the business. If Fatu couldn’t respect his own family, and there wasn’t respect from within, there wouldn’t be respect from those on the outside. Fatu had to acknowledge him. 

Jimmy still didn’t trust Fatu. Reigns said if Fatu didn’t acknowledge him, Fatu’s ass was out of here. Jimmy said he’d find Jey. 

******* 

There was a Rhea Ripley video package where she put over the importance of her time in NXT (including plenty of clips of Triple H showing her the way). 

Michael Cole said Asuka’s future was up in the air, and only time would tell.  

IYO SKY vs. Sol Ruca

They wrestled back and forth for the first few minutes until Ruca hit a springboard corkscrew dive to the outside. Sky came back with a butterfly backbreaker during a break for two. 

After the break, Sky hit an avalanche Spanish Fly for two. Ruca ducked a roundhouse kick and hit a spinning sit-out powerbomb for two. Sky came back with a missile dropkick. Sky missed a running corner meteora, so Ruca hit one of her own, but Sky came back and hit a double foot stomp for two. 

Sky went to the top, but Ruca shoved her off. Sky wrenched Ruca’s knee in the ropes, but Ruca booted her moments later. Ruca went to the top and hit a cartwheel DDT for a nearfall. That drew a modest “This is awesome” chant. Sky fought back and hit consecutive meteoras. 

Sky went for a moonsault, but Ruca got her legs up to block it. Ruca went for the Sol Snatcher, but Sky saw it coming and caught her in a crucifix cover for the pinfall win. 

Match result: IYO SKY defeated Sol Ruca (12:25)

This was a pretty good match, and a different pace than most matches on Raw. It should be fun to see what sort of match they have in a year or two. 

Sol Ruca’s finisher is not having a good run, however. She hit Morgan with the move in her debut and failed to win, failed to hit the move smoothly on Becky Lynch last week, and, within the context of this match, failed to hit the move at all and lost. She’s now winless in two Raw matches.

********

Jimmy approached Jey outside the arena. Jimmy didn’t feel good about this and thought Reigns was delusional at times. Jimmy and Jey both knew Fatu wasn’t going to acknowledge him. Jimmy said their family was stressful. Jey didn’t like hearing that and reminded him that their family was the reason they were there at all. Jimmy understood. He left to return to Reigns and wished Jey luck with Fatu. They shook hands. 

********

The Street Profits will get a tag title match against the Vision at SNME. 

Dawkins and Ford were about to be interviewed, but they were interrupted by Rollins. He said if they were serious about getting the titles off the Vision, they should talk. Ford was frustrated because he didn’t want Rollins involved. 

Dawkins wanted to hear him out, but Ford wasn’t interested. Rollins admitted he was wrong when he said they should stay out of each other’s way. Ford didn’t trust Rollins and said they didn’t need him to win the titles. Ford and Dawkins left. 

********

Backstage, Sky told Ruca that she was the future, and they would fight again one day. Ruca thanked her. 

Becky Lynch showed up, laughed at Ruca for losing to Iyo Jannetty, and said the lights must be too bright for her. 

********

Oba Femi entered and called out his next challenger, but Pearce came out to say that nobody backstage wanted to answer, so the open challenge was cancelled. The fans booed. 

Femi was pissed, so he marched backstage while calling everyone a coward. Angel and Berto were near Gorilla position in their street clothes, so Femi attacked them and dragged them to the ring. Femi demanded the referee ring the bell, so he did. 

2-on-1 handicap match: Oba Femi vs. Angel & Berto 

Femi hit multiple running corner uppercuts, tossed both guys around (tossing Angel right over the head of a hunched-over Berto) and gave Berto a Fall from Grace powerbomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Oba Femi defeated Berto & Angel (0:51) 

*******

JD McDonagh and Dom walked through the back as Dom made his way to the ring, but McDonagh was suddenly blinded by Finn Bálor. Bálor repeatedly shoved McDonagh into some equipment boxes. Dom was stunned. Bálor told Dom, “Looks like you’re gonna have to go out there alone, mate.” Dom said he had gold to defend, something Bálor knew nothing about. 

AAA Mega Championship match: Dominik Myserio (c) vs. Original El Grande Americano

This was the first time this title has been defended on Raw. 

There was a fun spot early in the match, where Dom monkey-flipped Gable Americano high in the air off the apron and into the top of the ring post. Dom was in control during the break, but Gable came back after the break with a superplex, Angle slam, and moonsault for a nearfall. Dom responded with a Michinoku Driver for two. Gable suplexed Dom into the corner before hitting a Dragon suplex for two. 

Rayo and Bravo Americano ran out to distract the referee and Gable. El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) hit Gable with a cheapshot, and Dom followed with a tornado DDT for a nearfall. Bruto and Julio Credo ran out to chase away Bravo and Rayo. 

Gable put Dom in an ankle lock, but Kaiser Americano leaped on the apron right in front of the referee (after he was already distracted earlier). Gable went after him and tried to rip off his mask, but that distraction allowed Dom to hit a 619 and a frog splash for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Dominik Mysterio defeated Original El Grande Americano to retain the AAA Mega Championship (9:04)

Gable looked great here, but this Americano feud needed to end weeks ago, and Gable needs to get out of this mask. 

********

Raw next week in Greensboro: 

  • Oba Femi open challenge 
  • Paige & Brie Bella (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez for the tag team titles 

Not sure how they can advertise an open challenge if nobody even answered it this week. 

*******

Jackie Redmond interviewed Paul and Theory backstage. Paul was still offended by Hendry’s song. Redmond asked if he meant the ‘Fire Logan Paul’ song. Paul told her to stop, “unless you want to get fired, too.” 

Paul said if he had to hear the song again, he would cut off his ears like Vincent Van Gogh. Theory told Paul to relax and told him they should go get dinner. 

Redmond tried asking Theory a question. He ignored the question and asked if she wanted a ride in their car. She said no. They left. (Maxxine Dupri was already in the back seat.) 

********

Acknowledgement Ceremony 

Roman Reigns entered with Jimmy Uso. Reigns told Knoxville to acknowledge him. They did. 

The camera cut to Fatu arriving at the arena, right on time. Jey tried pleading with him to stop as Fatu marched through the back. Jey warned him that he would only be creating problems for himself and his family. Fatu got to Gorilla, so Jey put his hands on him to stop and told him to be smart. Fatu headbutted Jey and laid him out. 

Fatu looked into the camera and told Reigns that if he wanted an acknowledgement, Reigns would have to beat it out of him. Fatu entered through the curtain and was met by Jimmy, but Fatu attacked him and laid him out, too. 

Fatu turned his attention to Reigns. Fatu entered the ring, and Reigns went right after him. Fatu fought him off and clotheslined him out of the ring. Fatu tried a dive, but Reigns hit a Superman punch. 

Reigns attacked Fatu repeatedly with a steel chair while telling Fatu to acknowledge him. Reigns went for a spear, but Fatu hit a superkick and applied the Tongan Death Grip (which did get a reaction from the crowd). Reigns fell out of the ring, so Fatu hit a suicide dive. 

Fatu tossed Reigns into the post and steel steps before clearing the announce table. Reigns tried to fight back, but Fatu cut him off and powerbombed him through the announce table. 

Fatu put Reigns in the Death Grip as officials swarmed him. Fatu let go and posed with the world title belt. 

They did the thing where they made it seem like the show was over as Fatu made his way up the ramp, but he instead sprinted back down to ringside. Jey and Jimmy were checking on Reigns, so Fatu hit a wild running hip attack, driving all three men through the barricade.

AJ Lee, Paige and The Bella Twins listed as free agents on WWE roster 

AJ Lee, Paige and The Bella Twins have officially been moved to the free agents on the WWE website.

They join Danhausen, Oba Femi and Omos in the free agents section on the WWE roster

Lee returned to WWE in September 2025 after nearly a decade away. She feuded with Becky Lynch and won the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber this year. The title reign was short-lived when Lynch won back the title at WrestleMania. Following which, Lee cited she was taking time away from WWE but would be back soon. 

Nikki Bella made her comeback last year, while Brie officially signed a new deal with the company this year. Nikki’s foot injury omitted her from the fatal four way Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania, which led to Paige stepping up as her replacement. 

It also marked Paige’s first WWE match since 2017 after the neck injury that forced her into early retirement. At AEW Full Gear 2023, she competed in the ring for the first time after being medically cleared and stepped back in the ring as a full-time competitor.

Tiffany Stratton wants to face recently returned WWE name

Tiffany Stratton recently revealed that she wants to face Paige, who made her return to WWE at WrestleMania 42 to team with Brie Bella.

Speaking on the Battleground podcast, the former NXT Women’s Champion confirmed that she wants to face the former Divas Champion after she missed WrestleMania this year herself:

I am so happy for all the women. I feel like we’ve come such a long way. We had Liv and Raquel, we had Rhea and Jade, we had the tag match, Paige came back. What an amazing pop, what an amazing moment. That was so cool to watch and then she killed it in the ring. I’m just so happy for everybody. I hope to get in the ring with Paige too.”

Credit to Fightful for the transcription

Paige vs Tiffany Stratton

As noted Paige is currently teaming with Brie Bella as the reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions on Raw. Stratton is not in a tag team and is on SmackDown as the reigning US Women’s Champion, so if they are going to have a match it’s probably going to be some ways down the line.

Paige and Stephanie McMahon are all praise for Danhausen

WWE veterans Paige and Stephanie McMahon are all praise for Danhausen.

Recently returned at WWE WrestleMania 42, Paige followed it up by appearing on What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon. Both women soon engaged in a discussion regarding their lives before arriving at the topic of Danhausen.

Danhausen was revealed as WWE’s latest addition at the 2026 Elimination Chamber PLE and has since then become a regular act on weekly WWE TV.

I love that you brought Danhausen here,” Paige said. “I’m glad that the fans came around really quickly.” Stephanie McMahon followed up and added, “I think they just didn’t know, at first, or why we were doing it… Because he’s really good, and he’s got this crazy charisma.”

And only he can pull that kind of character off, too,” Paige said. To which McMahon responded, “That’s what I mean… and then, to see him work, he was pretty good.”

Praising Danhausen’s wrestling skills, the British wrestler also claimed, “He’s a great worker too. They’ll see eventually when he starts wrestling some more, but yeah, I love that the fans came around and they love him and stuff because I was like, ‘He’s such a good dude. I love that guy.’”

Danhausen reacts to Paige and Stephanie McMahon’s praise

Danhausen quickly took notice of Paige and McMahon’s praise and quickly reacted to it on social media.

“Danhausen loves [Stephanie McMahon] and [Saraya]. Thank you for your very nice, very evil words. Let Danhausen know if you ever need anyone cursed!”

Paige reveals WWE stipulation matches she now wants to compete in

Just days after her WWE return, Paige has already opened up and named the matches she wants to compete in.

Speaking on What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon, Paige named the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and other stipulation matches as her goals to compete in.

I do want to finally be able to be in the Royal Rumble that I (didn’t get to) be a part of and do the Elimination Chambers and do all these stipulation matches that were not around when I was around,” she said.

While Paige got injured in 2017 and had to retire from in-ring action, the first women’s Royal Rumble took place in January 2018.

I had to be backstage in Gorilla when the Royal Rumble just started, and nobody knew I was retired at that point and so I just sat there, it was bittersweet, I was happy that the girls finally got this big match that we didn’t have before, but I was sad because I wasn’t a part of it and I didn’t know if I was gonna ever be a part of it again,” she added.

So to have this moment where I’m back in WWE, my neck is good, I’m wrestling again, there is opportunities for me to be a part of these stipulation matches. I’m really excited, I’m really excited for the next couple of years.

Back in WWE after a span of almost four years, the British wrestler has already won the women’s tag-team championship with Brie Bella at WrestleMania 42.

Paige says Shane McMahon helped her ignite a ‘new fire’ after in-ring retirement

Months after her in-ring retirement, Shane McMahon announced Paige’s WWE SmackDown return as the brand’s general manager in 2018.

After a few years in WWE, Paige parted ways with the promotion and joined AEW. Earlier this year at WrestleMania 42, she made her long-awaited return. Speaking to Stephanie McMahon on What’s Your Story? podcast, Paige revealed how Shane McMahon helped her ignite the ‘new fire’ in her.

I got pulled to the side, and they were like, ‘Ok, we need you for SmackDown.’ I was like, Why? I don’t wrestle anymore.’ When I came back the next day, it was like Road Dogg and the writers all cornered me; they were like, ‘Ok, you’re gonna be GM.’ I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is great,'” she said.

“Your brother (Shane McMahon) was the one who introduced me, the crowd erupted, and it kind of gave me a new fire. It got me really excited to come to work because it was something completely new. I wasn’t in the division anymore, so I didn’t have to worry about is my time was going to be cut, the matches. I just had to worry about the five or six promos I had to do live that day, which is intimidating.”

Now undergone neck surgery and cleared for in-ring action, Paige is officially back as a WWE competitor and is already the new women’s tag-team champion.

Paige wants to make up for lost time in WWE: ‘Don’t think I’m going to be wrestling after this run’

Paige aims to make up for lost time in her current WWE run, and hopes to compete in Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, and milestones in the women’s division she missed due to early retirement. 

Speaking with Stephanie McMahon on the What’s Your Story? Podcast Paige expressed that she returned with the mindset to participate in stipulation and marquee matches that did not exist for the women’s division in her WWE tenure earlier. She acknowledged that this current comeback could potentially be her final run in wrestling. 

“I came in this time with a mindset where I just want to be happy and have fun, because I don’t think I’m going to be wrestling after this run. I want to just enjoy my time that I have here, embrace absolutely everything, just enjoy the journey.”

“That’s all I care about. But I do want to finally be able to be in the Royal Rumble that I got to not be a part of and do the Elimination Chambers and do, you know, all these stipulation matches that were not around.”

“I had to be backstage in Gorilla when the Royal Rumble just started, and no one knew I was retired by that point, you know? And so I just sat there and I was just really sad. It was bittersweet. I was happy that the girls finally got this big match that we didn’t have before. But I was sad because I wasn’t a part of it, and I didn’t know if I was ever going to be a part of it again. And so to have this moment where I’m back in WWE, my neck is good, I’m wrestling again, and there’s opportunities for me to be a part of these stipulation matches. I mean, man, I’m really excited. I’m really excited for the next couple of years.” 

Paige returned at WrestleMania 42 nearly four years after her WWE exit. She replaced Nikki Bella to compete in the Women’s Tag Team Championship match which she and Brie Bella won. 

Paige was a part of the WWE women’s revolution in 2015. Two years later, she suffered a neck injury that forced her to retire from in-ring competition. At AEW Full Gear 2022, she faced Britt Baker for the first time in five years after being medically cleared. 

WWE had two conditions Paige needed to meet for return

WWE had two conditions Paige needed to meet for her return — she had to get medically cleared and pass a drug test.

After making her WWE return, Paige joined Stephanie McMahon for a new episode of “What’s Your Story?” Paige revealed that Jelly Roll actually played a part in her WWE comeback. She appeared on a live episode of Jelly Roll’s wife Bunnie’s podcast. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s agent Brad Slater was also there, and Jelly Roll asked him why WWE hasn’t brought Paige back yet. That led to a meeting being set up between Paige and Nick Khan.

“So he calls Nick and within 30 minutes, Nick had said, ‘Sure, let’s get a meeting with her.’ A week later, he flies to LA to the WWE offices out there,” Paige said. “I went and met him for about 10 minutes, you know, great guy. Love him. Big fan of him. Super smart. He’s got a business brain on him.

“I thought I’d be intimidated by him. But going in there, he’s easygoing. He goes, ‘Two things — your neck has to be okay and we have to do a drug test.’ I was like, ‘Fair enough.’ I was like, ‘Hey, I can control the drug test.’ I’m clean as a whistle. And so I was like, ‘I don’t know how my neck’s been. It’s been a few years since I got it checked. The last time I got it checked, it was perfect. So I’m not really concerned about it.’ And so, the next week I fly to Birmingham.”

Paige said she is now eight years sober. Her first stint with WWE, she was “a bit of a mess” and failed two drug tests. Stephanie admitted that there was a lot of concern for Paige within the company during that time because they could see her going down a bad path. When Paige first returned back in 2017, Stephanie gave her a hug and told her she was glad she was still alive.

Neck issues led to Paige being medically disqualified from WWE after a December 2017 match. She departed the company before returning to the ring for AEW in 2022.

To get cleared for this WWE return, Paige had a 10-hour appointment in Birmingham. She cried her eyes out after receiving the good news that she was now medically cleared to wrestle in WWE again.

“It was a couple of things. The fact that my neck was good,” Paige said. “And the last time I was in WWE, my neck wasn’t, and I had to retire. And I had to miss out on all these massive things like the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, all these things I didn’t get to be a part of, even though I was part of the group that helped kind of ignite that, right? And it’s just the fact that I’m going to be okay.”

Paige then entered into contract negotiations for her return. She was brought back in time for WrestleMania 42, where Paige teamed with Brie Bella to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. Paige replaced Nikki Bella in the match after Nikki suffered an ankle injury on the road to WrestleMania.

Paige reveals emotional reaction to getting cleared by WWE

At WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Paige made her WWE return and replaced the injured Nikki Bella in the women’s tag team titles match.

Paired with Brie Bella, the two proceeded to win the women’s tag team championships from Lash Legend, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair.

Paige last wrestled in WWE in 2017 and suffered a neck injury that forced her to retire. Not cleared for in-action by WWE, Paige joined AEW in 2022 as Saraya. A former AEW Women’s World Champion there, Paige left the promotion in 2025. After months of absence, she made her WWE return in 2026.

On Instagram, Paige now revealed the immediate moment she found out about being cleared for an in-ring return by WWE. The video shows Paige sobbing and trying to control her emotions. She further talks about her journey and how long the road was before WWE cleared her. The video also received multiple positive comments from her WWE colleagues.

The day I found out I was cleared to come home to [WWE]. What an emotional journey. Thank you [Gilbert Boyas] or being there and capturing this moment! It was a long road but man it was worth it!! Thank you everyone for the love since I returned, it means the absolute world to me,” she wrote.

While AEW allowed her to wrestle, WWE stopped all chances of her wrestling in 2017 due to injury concerns and moved her to a much more non-physical role. Battling all the adversities, Paige is now back as an in-ring competitor in WWE and is a champion too!

The Rock to adapt ‘Fighting With My Family’ into a stage musical

Years after the film’s release, The Rock is now set to adapt ‘Fighting With My Family’ into a stage musical.

In a report shared by The Hollywood Reporter, it was noted that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will team up with Stephen Merchant to adapt the life of WWE Superstar Paige into a stage musical. The original film was released in 2019, with British actress Florence Pugh playing Paige.

Directed by Merchant and produced by Johnson’s Seven Bucks Production, Merchant recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he always considered the film a musical. “A young woman from the ‘chorus line’ fighting to get her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life characters and huge sweeping emotions. I approached each wrestling match like it was a different dance number, building to a big show-stopping finale. Seeing the film reimagined for the stage feels like the natural next step.”

Fighting With My Family is exceptionally well-suited for the stage. It’s packed with personal emotion expressed through the dynamic world of wrestling, which has always been about storytelling and connecting with a live audience. Working with Stephen Merchant on the film was a truly special experience, and his brilliant work deserves this new act. As it comes to life musically, I have no doubt it will be an absolute blast for theatergoers,” Johnson added.

The 53-year-old Johnson is next set to star in Jumanji 3 and the live-action version of Moana.

Paige on WrestleMania 42 return: ‘I’m a WWE girl forever’

Paige is back in WWE and is already a champion!

At WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Paige replaced an injured Nikki Bella to tag along with Brie Bella. She and Bella defeated Lash Legend, Nia Jax, Lyra Valkyria, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss to win the Women’s Tag Team titles.

Later, Paige and the Bellas appeared at the WWE WrestleMania 42 post-show to address her return and her first WWE match since 2017.

WWE is my home, I was raised here, I’m a WWE girl forever, and a Total Diva. I didn’t know how anyone was gonna react, I’m walking out there, I forgot how big WrestleManias were. It was magical, it was surreal, I forgot how to skip at one point. I was like, ‘What do I do? What does Paige do?’” Paige shared.

Nikki Bella also opened up and shared that Paige was the only one the twins felt right about replacing her. Bella claimed that she wanted Paige to take her place at WrestleMania 42 because she did not want Brie Bella to lose her WrestleMania moment because of her injury.

Later on social media, Bella shared more details on the injury, while at the post-show, she also announced undergoing surgery on her injured foot.

Paige returns, wins gold at WWE WrestleMania 42

WWE is Paige’s house once again.

At WrestleMania 42 night one, Paige returned to WWE and worked her first match for the company in nearly a decade, teaming with Brie Bella to win the Women’s Tag Team titles. It was scheduled to be Nikki & Brie Bella teaming together in the match, but Nikki was unable to be cleared in time after suffering an ankle injury on SmackDown three weeks ago.

Nikki walked out with a crutch as The Bella Twins made their entrance tonight. Announcing that she would not be able to compete, Nikki said an “old friend” would be taking her place — bringing out Paige for her return.

That crutch ended up playing a big role in the fatal four-way match. Interfering during the finish, Nikki used the crutch as a weapon and struck Charlotte Flair with it. Paige then got her knees up when Alexa Bliss went for Twisted Bliss. She followed up with RamPaige on Bliss for the victory.

Nia Jax & Lash Legend were Women’s Tag Team Champions heading into tonight. The four-way bout featured Jax & Legend, Brie Bella & Paige, Charlotte & Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria.

On commentary, Michael Cole brought up that Paige won the Divas Championship on her first night on the main roster back in 2014 and had now won gold again her first night back.

Paige was once medically disqualified from WWE due to neck issues, last wrestling for the company in December 2017. She remained with WWE in a non-wrestling role until departing the promotion in 2022. She then joined AEW, returning to the ring there and holding the AEW Women’s World Championship one time.

In March 2025, Paige (Saraya) and AEW mutually parted ways. She took the past year off from pro wrestling but had been training for her return recently.

Report: Paige expected to return to WWE at WrestleMania 42

Paige is reportedly expected to return to WWE this weekend.

PWInsider reported Friday that she has signed with the company. The belief is she will be part of the women’s tag team title four-way on Saturday’s show as Nikki Bella’s replacement.

Bella has been dealing with an ankle injury, and PWInsider reported earlier Friday that she will not be cleared in time for WrestleMania.

The report added that Paige, who wrestled as Saraya in AEW, was spotted taking part in a run-through for the match this week.

Paige has not wrestled for WWE since suffering an injury during the company’s holiday live event tour in late 2017. She was not medically cleared to wrestle again until 2022, when she signed with AEW and wrestled as Saraya, returning to the ring against Britt Baker at Full Gear that year.

She announced in March 2025 that she had left AEW. Her final AEW match took place on the October 8, 2024 episode of Dynamite, where she competed in a four-way against Jamie Hayter, Nyla Rose, and Willow Nightingale.

AJ Lee calls for WWE to bring back two former stars

AJ Lee has voiced support for the return of two former WWE stars while reflecting on the most prominent feuds in her career.

Speaking with The Takedown on SI, Lee cited she would love to bring back Paige (aka Saraya) and Kaitlyn to WWE. 

“I love Paige… if I could bring somebody back, her and Kaitlyn. Let’s get them back.”

She expressed admiration for Paige’s wrestling contributions and said it would be heartwarming to see her return amid the current landscape of the women’s division. 

“It would be great,” Lee said. “She’s so talented and I knew it from day one. We’d always joke that I was her fairy godmother and I just took her under my wing and tried to protect her. And just to see her now, it would be kind of heartwarming and healing, and she would be a great addition to this locker room. I think this place has really come a long way and the women work together so beautifully, and they’re so supportive. I would love for her to experience just how fun it is now.”

Lee also addressed the possibility of revisiting past rivalries with The Bella Twins after nearly a decade. She additionally named Naomi as a dream opponent while praising her in-ring ability.

“I think the fans would really love to see me and the Bellas again, or me and Naomi. We never really got to like kill it, but she is just one of those people who every time I was in the ring with her, I felt so at my absolute best. She brings that out of you.”

“There’s such [an abundance of] wonderful, exciting new talent that I think can show me so much,” Lee said. “The way [her generation] maybe started an evolution, they continue it and then now we can learn from them. And it’s this really cool circle of moving the business forward. So I’d love to get in there with Lyra and Roxanne and Liv and Stephanie and Rhea. Gosh, there’s so many people that I would just [be] a blast to work with.”

Paige made her WWE Raw debut in 2014 and defeated Lee in an impromptu match for the now retired Divas Championship. After her neck injury in 2017, she transitioned to the role of SmackDown General Manager for a few years before taking on backstage duties. She announced her release in June 2022 and in September that year she made her AEW debut under her real name, Saraya. 

Meanwhile, Kaitlyn and AJ Lee feuded for most of 2013 before her exit in 2014. They were initial allies turned foes with the Divas Championship being a key factor. Her last match was at a GWA event in December 2019.

Lee returned to WWE in September 2025. She teamed with her husband, CM Punk to take on Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. That escalated into a singles feud with Lynch for the Intercontinental Title.

Lee captured the championship at Elimination Chamber and will defend it in a rematch against Lynch at WrestleMania 42.