5 Shocking Ways The Paige WWE Sex Tape Leak Nearly Ended Saraya's Career (And How She Fought Back)

The incident known as the "Paige WWE sex tape" leak remains one of the most devastating and widely publicized cases of celebrity hacking in modern wrestling history. While the core events occurred in 2017, the aftermath continues to define the incredible journey of Saraya-Jade Bevis, known professionally as Paige in WWE and Saraya in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). This article, last updated in December 2025, delves into the true story of the privacy invasion, its catastrophic impact on her mental health, and the resilience that allowed her to claw her way back to the ring and public life.

The unauthorized release of private, explicit photos and videos was not just a career setback; it was a traumatic violation that pushed the former Divas Champion to the brink. Her story, now immortalized in her memoir and through her advocacy, is a powerful testament to surviving public humiliation and finding strength in the face of digital cruelty.

Saraya-Jade Bevis: A Biographical Profile

Saraya-Jade Bevis is a generational talent from a legendary wrestling family. Her career trajectory, before and after the leak, is marked by historic achievements and profound personal challenges.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

• Ring Names: Paige (WWE), Saraya (AEW), Britani Knight (Early Career)
• Real Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
• Born: August 17, 1992 (Norwich, England)
• The Knight Family: Daughter of wrestlers Ricky Knight and Julia Knight (Sweet Saraya), and sister to Zak Zodiac and Roy Bevis (The Zebra Kid).
• WWE Debut: 2012 (Developmental), 2014 (Main Roster)
• Career Milestones:
  • Inaugural NXT Women's Champion.
  • Two-time WWE Divas Champion.
  • Youngest female champion in WWE history (at 21).
• Retirement: Forced to retire in 2018 due to a neck injury (cervical spinal stenosis).
• Major Film: Her life story was the subject of the 2019 film Fighting with My Family, produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and starring Florence Pugh.
• Memoir: Author of the 2024 book Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives.
• Current Status: Currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) until September 2025.

The 2017 Hacking Incident: Violation and Public Humiliation

The leak occurred in March 2017 during a time when Paige was already dealing with multiple personal and professional issues, including injuries and suspensions from WWE. The incident was a severe case of celebrity hacking and privacy invasion, where private, intimate content was stolen and distributed without her consent.

The Devastating Impact on Mental Health

The public reaction to the leaked photos and videos was immediate and brutal. Instead of sympathy for the victim of a crime, Saraya faced widespread shaming and scrutiny, which had a catastrophic effect on her well-being.

• Thoughts of Self-Harm: In her own words, the aftermath of the leak made her feel "so rock bottom" that she wanted to physically harm herself. This period marked a severe crisis point in her life.
• Developing Anorexia: The intense public pressure and body shaming associated with the unauthorized release caused her to develop an eating disorder. She struggled with anorexia as a direct result of the trauma and humiliation.
• Career Instability: The leak compounded her existing problems with WWE, including her neck injury and the Wellness Policy violations, making her future with the company highly uncertain. The emotional toll was arguably as damaging as the physical injuries.

The incident was a stark reminder of the double standard faced by women in the public eye, where the victim of a cybercrime is often blamed and shamed for the actions of the perpetrator.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

From Paige to Saraya: The Journey to Recovery and Resilience

Saraya's story is ultimately one of survival and resilience. Her path back to stability and the wrestling ring involved significant personal growth, professional change, and powerful public advocacy.

Finding Strength in Her Story

A major turning point in her recovery was taking control of her narrative. Instead of letting the "Paige sex tape" define her, she chose to speak openly about the trauma, transforming her experience into a message of hope for others.

Her 2024 memoir, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, details the raw, uncensored story of her life, including the family drama, her rise to stardom, the despair of the leak, and her eventual recovery. By sharing her struggle with mental health, self-harm, and the eating disorder, she became a powerful advocate for victims of cyberbullying and non-consensual image sharing.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

The AEW Chapter and Future Prospects

After a forced retirement from in-ring competition in WWE due to a devastating neck injury, Saraya made a shocking and emotional return to professional wrestling in 2022 by joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW). This move, under her real name Saraya, marked a new chapter, allowing her to wrestle again after a long hiatus.

As of late 2024, Saraya's contract with AEW was reportedly extended, keeping her with the promotion until September 2025. However, she has also openly discussed the possibility of a future return to WWE, specifically to reprise the "Paige" character, indicating that her wrestling story is far from over. This ongoing speculation keeps her name constantly in the news cycle, a testament to her enduring star power despite the past controversies.

The Legacy of the Leak: What It Taught the Wrestling World

The Saraya (Paige) leak was a watershed moment that forced a public discussion within the wrestling community about privacy, exploitation, and mental health. The incident highlighted several crucial points:

1. The Reality of Hacking: It underscored that even high-profile celebrities are vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks and privacy invasion.
2. Mental Health Crisis: Her candid discussion about self-harm and anorexia brought much-needed attention to the severe mental health consequences of public shaming and cyberbullying.
3. WWE's Response: While WWE offered public support to Paige at the time, the incident sparked debates about the level of protection and support professional wrestling companies provide to their talent facing personal crises.

Saraya’s ability to move past the trauma, reclaim her identity, and return to the ring is one of the most compelling comeback stories of the last decade. She has successfully transitioned from being defined by a catastrophic leak to being celebrated as a resilient pioneer of the Women's Revolution in wrestling.