Speculation is swirling around Saraya, formerly Paige, making a surprise return at WWE’s Evolution 2 PLE this Sunday in Atlanta. The former Divas and NXT Women’s Champion, now a free agent after leaving AEW in March, hinted at a comeback with a cryptic X post: “Evolution is this weekend?” In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Saraya expressed her emotional connection to Evolution, saying, “It’s bittersweet… I couldn’t compete [in 2018] because of my neck. If I had the opportunity, I’d think about it.” She also voiced a desire to return as “Paige,” her iconic WWE persona, noting, “Paige is generational… a badass, tough as nails.” Despite denying WWE contact in a June Orlando Sentinel interview, her free-agent status and WWE’s reported outreach to unannounced talents fuel speculation.
On Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez said the following about Saraya’s status:
“Saraya did an interview with Chris Van Vliet and she did say, ‘I’m a free agent. I could pop up anywhere. My contract is done. Done.’ I think there’s a good chance. If she’s there, it won’t be announced until she appears. If she is, you’re not going to know until she’s there. They’re not going to announce it if it’s happening. She’s not going to announce it if it’s happening. She will publicly say they haven’t talked to her, even if they had until it happens.
And I do know that there are a lot of women that have been contacted. That is, it has not come out yet. And there will be surprises at the Evolution show. So I guess we’ll find out on Sunday what ends up happening with that Evolution show.”
WWE’s secrecy around Evolution 2’s #1 contender’s Battle Royal, featuring stars like Nikki Bella and Natalya, makes Saraya a prime candidate for a surprise.
Below is the match-card for WWE Evolution 2:
– Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
– WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Trish Stratus
– Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
– NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
– Fatal 4-Way Match For The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs. NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca & Zaria
– #1 Contender’s Battle Royal (winner earns a title match at Clash In Paris): Nikki Bella vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Nia Jax vs. Natalya vs. Maxxine Dupri vs. Ivy Nile vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker vs. Lola Vice vs. Lash Legend vs. Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley vs. Zelina Vega vs. Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia vs. Candice LeRae
– No Holds Barred: Queen of the Ring Jade Cargill vs. Ms. Money in the Bank Naomi
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