AJ Lee’s return on SmackDown will go down as one of the greatest of all time and could pave the way for another star of the Divas era to also head back to the WWE. Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, came unglued when AJ made her first appearance in a decade on Friday night.
WWE Fans Tell AJ Lee’s Longtime Friend Paige She’s Next
AJ Lee came to CM Punk‘s side in his ongoing war with Seth Rollins and now Becky Lynch, slapping The Man who had provoked her husband with slaps of her own. It had been heavily rumored that the 38-year-old would be making her return, but this didn’t diminish its impact.
The Geeky Goddess was one of the biggest stars during the Divas era before the women’s revolution took place. She came up against other pioneers of the women’s division, including Paige.
The 33-year-old was forced to retire back in April 2018 due to severe neck injuries and moved into a non-competing role. She left WWE when her contract expired in July 2022 and eventually arrived in AEW in September 2022.
Paige went by the ring name Saraya and was cleared to wrestle by a non-wrestling doctor who found her neck had healed well. She became an AEW Women’s World Champion before moving down the card and announcing she had departed the promotion in March of this year.
The youngest-ever Divas Champion officially left AEW this month when her contract expired, and she’s taken on different ventures. But the door isn’t fully closed on a potential return to pro wrestling or the prospect of reuniting with AJ Lee in WWE.
Paige was one of several WWE past and present names to congratulate AJ on her return. She wrote on X:
“F**k, my heart is so full watching (AJ Lee) come back. Love you sister. Go show ‘em why you’re the best in the world.”
Fans were thrilled to see her show support for her friend, with whom she teamed in WWE and also feuded. But many couldn’t help but demand she also make her return, with one writing:
“YOU’RE NEXT PAIGE. It’s a must at this point, the gag of the century would be having you, AJ, Nikki & Brie (Bella) back at the same time. Oh diva era LOADING.”
Another fan proposed a tag match:
“Time for Saraya and AJ to team up vs Becky and anyone who would give her the time of day in this gimmick.”
Another added:
“There’s a little bit of room for one more…”
One fan posted a GIF of the duo celebrating:
“I was soooooo happy to see Aj come back!! Now we just need Paige!!!”
What Has Paige (Saraya) Said About A Possible WWE Return?
Paige is well aware of the clamor from fans to see her return to WWE and opened up on this during an interview with Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown in June. She said: “I always get tagged in everything, as soon as there’s a mystery going around, they’re like, ‘Hey, she’s coming back.’ But no. I love the WWE, but no.”
The former two-time Divas Champion is focusing on projects outside of pro wrestling for now, but has suggested a return could be on the cards in 2026: “It feels good to take a little break from wrestling and then see the outpouring of love from people saying they want me back. I just want to get my feet wet outside of wrestling for a little bit and take care of myself this year. It’s consumed me my whole life. All 32 years of my life has been wrestling, so I just want to find myself a little bit outside it and next year, maybe come back.”
Paige (Saraya) could be an option as a surprise Royal Rumble entrant when the PLE takes place in January 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. If she were to return, WWE might consider utilising their United Kingdom tour, which includes stops in Newcastle, London, and Nottingham, as part of the ‘Road to Royal Rumble 2026’.
