Ex-WWE Star Reveals Crippling "Self-Doubts" Before AEW Debut

This wrestler was in a tough place mentally after leaving WWE life behind.

by Jamie Kennedy
Saraya AEW
AEW

AEW star Saraya has revealed that she suffered through some serious 'self-doubt" before making her debut in Tony Khan's promotion.

The Brit told ITR that she was "just extremely nervous" before taking her bow on 21 September 2022. Leaving WWE life behind (the only thing she'd really known since departing her native England for the United States effectively as a kid) was hard for the former Paige, so it was a lot to deal with mentally.

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In a sad moment, Saraya admitted that she "didn't think [she] was what [she] used to be" as a performer, and even worried that All Elite's hardcore fans might not accept her. Now, as part of The Outcasts alongside Toni Storm and Ruby Riott, the former WWE star says she "has confidence back".

Saraya described the AEW women's locker room as "really sweet", and says everybody keeps her right by reminding her to "take this slowly". Everybody wants what's best for her, and that's something the veteran greatly appreciates as she eases back into in-ring action.

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Regardless, it's understandable that Saraya fretted about how things might pan out in AEW pre-debut.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.