7 Shocking Ways The Paige WWE ‘Sextape’ Leak Changed Saraya’s Life Forever (And Her Current Status In 2025)

The 2017 hacking of Saraya-Jade Bevis, famously known as WWE's Paige, remains one of the most brutal and public instances of cyberbullying against a professional athlete in modern history. What began as private, intimate content—including videos and explicit photos—stolen from her personal cloud storage and leaked online in March 2017, quickly spiraled into a devastating personal crisis that nearly ended her career and her life. This article, updated for December 2025, explores the traumatic aftermath of the leak, its deep impact on her mental health, and how the former Divas Champion transformed the scandal into a powerful story of resilience in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

The incident was a cruel violation of privacy, but Saraya’s journey from "rock bottom" humiliation to her current status as a top star in AEW is a testament to her strength. Her story is no longer just about a "leaked tape"; it's about surviving a digital assault, battling severe mental health issues, and reclaiming her narrative in the wrestling world and beyond.

Saraya-Jade Bevis: A Complete Biography and Profile

Saraya-Jade Bevis is an English professional wrestler, actress, and author from a famous wrestling family, the Knights. Her career has been marked by historic highs, devastating lows, and an unparalleled ability to connect with fans through vulnerability.

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• Ring Names: Paige (WWE), Saraya (AEW, Independent Circuit).
• Real Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis.
• Born: August 17, 1992 (Age 33 as of late 2025).
• Birthplace: Norwich, Norfolk, England.
• Parents: Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya (both professional wrestlers).
• Siblings: Zak Knight, Roy Bevis, and others.
• Current Promotion: All Elite Wrestling (AEW) (Signed in 2022).
• Former Promotion: WWE (2011–2022).
• Major Accolades: Two-time WWE Divas Champion (winning on her main roster debut), inaugural NXT Women's Champion.
• Noteworthy Projects: Subject of the 2019 biographical film *Fighting With My Family*, produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

The 2017 Hacking Incident: A Violation and Public Humiliation

The leak of Saraya’s private content in March 2017 was not a consensual release; it was a criminal act of hacking and distribution. This distinction is crucial, as the narrative surrounding the content often overshadows the fact that she was a victim of a severe cybercrime.

The Stolen Content and Its Immediate Fallout

The stolen material included explicit videos and a large collection of private photos, some of which featured other WWE personnel. The leak was reportedly orchestrated by hackers who gained access to her personal cloud storage, potentially through a phishing scam or a compromised password.

• The Content: Explicit videos and nude photos.
• The Method: Hacking and unauthorized access to private accounts.
• The Timeline: The content began circulating widely on the internet in March 2017, during a period when Paige was already sidelined with a neck injury and facing a suspension from WWE.

The immediate fallout was catastrophic. The content spread rapidly across social media platforms, turning a private violation into a global spectacle. The psychological toll was immediate and crushing, leading to an intense period of depression and isolation.

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7 Ways the Leak Permanently Affected Paige’s Life and Career

The 2017 incident was a defining moment that irrevocably shaped Saraya’s life, leading to a profound shift in her personal identity, career path, and public perception. Her ability to overcome these challenges is the true story of her later career.

1. The Onset of Severe Mental Health Crisis

The public shaming plunged Saraya into a deep mental health crisis. She has spoken openly about feeling "rock bottom," experiencing severe depression, and even contemplating suicide. The stress and humiliation led to stress-induced anorexia, a physical manifestation of her psychological trauma.

2. The Strain on Her Relationship with WWE

At the time of the leak, Paige was already facing a tumultuous period with WWE due to injuries and wellness policy violations. The leak added an enormous layer of complexity and controversy. While WWE ultimately stood by her, the incident created a significant professional hurdle, making her feel alienated and ashamed within the company.

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3. The Inspiration for *Fighting With My Family*

Paradoxically, the leak became a core, powerful element of her life story as told in the 2019 biographical film *Fighting With My Family*. Produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the movie addressed the hacking head-on, turning her vulnerability into a narrative about overcoming adversity and finding strength in family. This public telling helped reclaim her story from the hackers.

4. The Shift in Her Public Identity (From Paige to Saraya)

Her eventual departure from WWE in 2022 and subsequent debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as "Saraya" marked a conscious effort to separate her current identity from the trauma of the past. The name Saraya-Jade Bevis is her real name, and using it in AEW signifies a fresh start and a move toward authenticity, shedding the "Paige" persona that was so closely tied to the scandal and her career-ending neck injury.

5. A Permanent Role as a Cyberbullying Advocate

Saraya has leveraged her experience to become a vocal advocate against cyberbullying and the violation of privacy. By discussing the incident in numerous interviews and her upcoming autobiography, she provides a powerful, human face to the victims of online harassment and revenge porn, helping others who have faced similar digital assaults.

6. The End of Her Full-Time In-Ring Career (Initially)

While the leak wasn't the cause of her initial retirement, the intense stress and public scrutiny occurred while she was recovering from a career-ending neck injury. The combination of physical and psychological trauma made the road back to the ring seem insurmountable for years. She finally made a triumphant in-ring return in AEW in 2022, a remarkable comeback that proved her resilience.

7. A New Chapter in Her Memoir and Future Projects

Saraya has confirmed that she addresses the private photo leak in her new book, offering a detailed, first-hand account of the experience and its lasting impact. This move solidifies her control over her own life story, ensuring that the incident is viewed through the lens of a survivor, not a victim.

Saraya’s Current Status in 2025: Reclaiming the Narrative

In December 2025, Saraya-Jade Bevis is thriving in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Her career has successfully transitioned from the WWE's "Paige" to a respected veteran and a powerful figure in the AEW women's division. Her journey is a masterclass in separating one's professional life from personal trauma.

She has not only returned to the ring after an initial career-ending injury but has done so on her own terms, embracing her real name and using her global platform to discuss mental health. The story of the leaked content is no longer a scandal; it is a foundational chapter in a larger narrative of triumph over adversity. By openly discussing the darkest period of her life, Saraya has turned a devastating act of cybercrime into a source of strength and a message of hope for fans worldwide.

Her resilience serves as a powerful reminder that while the internet can be a place of cruelty, the power to define one's own story ultimately belongs to the individual.