Former AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya has revealed that her time in professional wrestling is nearing its end. Speaking with Rick Ucchino of Sports Illustrated, the ex-WWE Divas Champion shared that she plans to step away from the ring in the near future, but she’s focused on uplifting the AEW women’s division before she leaves.
“I’m letting people beat me, left, right and center. I was on a losing streak, but I just wanted people to get their rub. I want to uplift everybody. I’m not gonna be in wrestling forever. I’m coming to the end of it and it’s very soon. And I don’t wanna go out being like, I need to be on top.”
Saraya’s AEW Run and Focus on Elevating Others
Saraya signed with AEW in the fall of 2022, returning to in-ring competition after a five-year retirement due to a career-threatening neck injury. Since then, she has been vocal about her mission to help grow AEW’s women’s division in any way she can.
During her time in AEW, Saraya worked closely with Toni Storm and Harley Cameron, mentoring them on promos and character work. She recalled how Storm, now one of AEW’s most beloved personalities, initially struggled with confidence on the microphone.
“I just remember when we were in a group, me and Ruby [Soho] were helping [Toni] with promos. She would just have one line and be terrified to do this line. She’d be going over it and over it and over it, while me and Ruby had all these lines.”
Saraya isn’t taking credit for Storm’s rise, but she’s proud to have played a small role in helping her find confidence. She also gave credit to AEW personality RJ City for assisting in the development of Storm’s “Timeless” persona, which has since become one of AEW’s most entertaining gimmicks.
“She’s one of the best promos and characters, I think, of all time. And she’s one of my favorites altogether right now. She is making wrestling fun and exciting, and I love that. It’s just funny seeing her from two years ago… when she was scared to pick up a microphone.”
Saraya also reflected on her time working with Harley Cameron, who has gained popularity as an energetic babyface. Interestingly, Saraya felt the best way to help Cameron was to step away and let her shine on her own.
“People love her. I’m like, ‘I need to take a break. And then maybe, eventually, I can come back and we can go into a story where I’m just trying to hold you back again, and then you get your big pin on me.’ That’s the idea that I wanted. I don’t think we’re doing that now, but I said the best thing I can do is take a step back.”
Saraya’s AEW Status and Future
Saraya last competed in October 2023 and has since been absent from AEW television. Her break has allowed her to focus on her book tour and other outside projects, but she assured fans that she’s ready to return whenever the opportunity arises.
She won the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In: London 2023, defeating Hikaru Shida, but held the title for just 44 days before dropping it back to Shida.
With her AEW contract set to expire in September, the clock is ticking on Saraya’s in-ring future. While she hasn’t given an exact retirement date, her comments make it clear that the end is near.
What’s Next for Saraya?
As she prepares to close the chapter on her wrestling career, Saraya seems content with her contributions to the industry. Whether she remains involved in AEW in a non-wrestling capacity or steps away entirely, her impact—both in WWE and AEW—won’t be forgotten.
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