8 Shocking Facts About Paige's WWE Debut That Changed The Divas Division Forever

Few debuts in WWE history have created such an immediate and seismic shift as the arrival of Paige on the main roster. The night after WrestleMania is always a place for surprises, but what transpired on the April 7, 2014, episode of Monday Night Raw was a genuine, system-shocking moment that officially heralded the coming of a new generation. This article, updated for late 2025, dives deep into the context, the incredible records broken, and the lasting legacy of the Anti-Diva's unforgettable first night.

The significance of Paige's debut goes far beyond a simple title change. It was a pivotal moment in the transition from the "Divas Era" to the "Women’s Evolution," bringing the credibility of the NXT brand’s wrestling-first approach to the main stage. Her victory over the dominant Divas Champion, AJ Lee, was an unprecedented move that instantly cemented the young English wrestler as a major player and a true "Diva of Tomorrow."

Saraya-Jade Bevis: A Biographical Sketch

Before she was known to the world as Paige, the two-time WWE Divas Champion began her journey as Saraya-Jade Bevis. Her wrestling roots run deep, coming from the legendary Knight family in the UK. This background gave her a unique, gritty edge that contrasted sharply with the "Divas" aesthetic of the time, earning her the moniker "The Anti-Diva."

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• Ring Name: Paige (currently Saraya in AEW)
• Real Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
• Born: August 17, 1992
• Hometown: Norwich, Norfolk, England
• Wrestling Family: The Knight Family (featured in the film Fighting with My Family)
• WWE Main Roster Debut: April 7, 2014
• Debut Accomplishment: Won the WWE Divas Championship
• Historic Feat: First person to hold both the NXT Women's Championship and the Divas Championship simultaneously
• NXT Status: Inaugural NXT Women's Champion
• WWE Retirement: Announced her in-ring retirement in 2018 due to a neck injury.

The Night After WrestleMania XXX: A Shocking Debut

The Monday Night Raw following WrestleMania XXX is traditionally one of the most exciting shows of the year, often featuring surprise returns and major debuts. On this night, April 7, 2014, the WWE Universe was completely caught off guard by the arrival of the reigning NXT Women's Champion, Paige.

The segment began with Divas Champion AJ Lee, who had successfully defended her title in a 14-Diva Invitational match the night before at WrestleMania XXX. AJ Lee, known for her record-setting title reign, issued an open challenge to any woman in the locker room. Suddenly, Paige’s music hit, and the "Diva of Tomorrow" walked out to a massive ovation from the New Orleans crowd.

AJ Lee, in a condescending manner, challenged the young NXT star to a match for the Divas Championship. Paige initially refused, stating she wasn't ready, but AJ Lee slapped her, forcing the impromptu title match to begin. In a shocking turn of events that lasted less than a minute and a half, Paige hit the Paige Turner (or Ram-Paige) and pinned the dominant champion.

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The victory was a true bolt from the blue, instantly making Paige the youngest Divas Champion in history at just 21 years old, breaking the record previously held by Michelle McCool, the inaugural champion.

The Anti-Diva and the Dual-Champion History

Paige’s gimmick as "The Anti-Diva" was a core part of her appeal and the reason her debut resonated so strongly. While the term "Diva" was often associated with models and non-wrestling personalities, Paige presented herself as a pure professional wrestler, a tough, pale-skinned rocker from a true wrestling background.

Her look, featuring dark makeup and a unique style, was a stark contrast to the bright, colorful aesthetic of the Divas Championship’s butterfly belt. This contrast perfectly captured the growing desire among fans for more serious women's wrestling, which was already flourishing in the developmental brand, NXT.

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A History-Making Dual Reign

The most incredible aspect of her debut win was the fact that Paige was still the reigning NXT Women's Champion. She was the inaugural holder of that title, having defeated Emma in the tournament final to crown the first champion in 2013, and had held the title for a historic 308 days.

By defeating AJ Lee, Paige became the first and only woman in history to simultaneously hold both the NXT Women's Championship and the WWE Divas Championship. This unprecedented achievement immediately elevated the NXT brand and its women's division, signaling to the world that the "Diva of Tomorrow" was truly the future of the company.

• Youngest Divas Champion: At 21 years old.
• First Dual Champion: Held the NXT Women's Championship and the Divas Championship at the same time.
• End of the Reign: She was forced to vacate the NXT Women's Championship shortly after her main roster debut, with a tournament being held to crown the next champion.

Legacy and the Women's Evolution

Paige's main roster arrival is widely regarded as a precursor to the "Women's Evolution" that would officially kick off a year later with the debut of the "Four Horsewomen" (Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch). Her immediate success and the quality of her subsequent matches, particularly her rivalry with AJ Lee, proved that the WWE audience was ready for women's wrestling to be treated with greater seriousness.

Her career continued to be marked by high-profile moments, including serving as the General Manager of SmackDown and forming the popular stable Absolution. Despite her career being tragically cut short by a neck injury in 2018, her impact remains undeniable. The story of her life and her wrestling family was even immortalized in the 2019 biographical film, Fighting with My Family, produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Today, as Saraya in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), she continues to be a vocal proponent of women's wrestling, carrying the legacy of the "Anti-Diva" who shattered expectations on a single, shocking night in April 2014. The moment she defeated AJ Lee wasn't just a debut; it was the first crack in the glass ceiling that would eventually pave the way for the current era of female WWE Superstars.