8 Things We Learned From WWE Chronicle: Paige

5. She Stopped Talking To Her Family, Friends

Paige Vince McMahon
WWE Network

WWE advertised their latest Chronicle as the most eye-opening in the series yet, and although it doesn't go into the gaudy specifics, it absolutely does not skirt around the subject of Paige's personal problems during her lengthy injury lay-off.

The superstar was extremely candid about the downward spiral she experienced after being shelved, implicitly reflecting on her substance abuse issues and how the subsequent compromise of her privacy exacerbated them.

"I was shutting everybody out because I didn't trust anybody," Paige admits. "Shut out all my friends, family. Stopped speaking to dad, mum. Embarrassed, humiliated. Went from being a role model to somebody who is not a role model."

Of course, there was absolutely nothing for Paige to be ashamed of; she was the victim in that circumstance. But it's easy to understand how, for someone living such a public life, it could - and did - force her into a further mental retreat.

"I was losing all my money on stupid stuff. I didn't have my family, I didn't have my friends," she admits. Thankfully, a realisation eventually hit: "I'm gonna throw this away, On what? Nothing, really."

Since then, she's tried to re-contextualise her difficulties into a positive example for others:

"People say she was on drugs and drink but she came out of it, cyberbullied but came out of it, exploited and humiliated, but still came out of it."

She realised that not being perfect can in fact make you the perfect role model.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.