The Unseen Fallout: 5 Ways The Paige & Xavier Woods Leak Defined Their Careers In 2025

The infamous 2017 explicit video leak involving WWE Superstars Paige (now known as Saraya) and Xavier Woods (Austin Watson) remains one of the most shocking and career-defining scandals in modern professional wrestling history. The incident, which also involved former WWE talent Brad Maddox, was a devastating invasion of privacy that threatened to derail the careers of two of the company’s most popular figures. As of December 2025, both Saraya and Xavier Woods have not only survived the controversy but have also forged paths of incredible resilience, reaching new career heights and using their experiences to advocate for mental health and online privacy.

The long-term impact of the breach of trust and privacy has shaped their professional trajectories, from Saraya’s eventual departure from WWE and successful run in AEW to Xavier Woods' continuous, record-breaking success with The New Day. This article looks at the most current developments in their careers and the five key ways the 2017 scandal permanently defined their legacies in the world of sports entertainment.

Detailed Biographies: Saraya (Paige) and Austin Watson (Xavier Woods)

To fully appreciate their journey of recovery and professional success, it is essential to understand the careers that were put at risk by the 2017 leak. Both Saraya-Jade Bevis and Austin Watson are highly accomplished wrestlers with significant achievements across multiple promotions.

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Saraya-Jade Bevis (FKA Paige)

• Real Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
• Born: August 17, 1992 (Norwich, England)
• WWE Debut: 2014 (Main Roster)
• Key Career Highlights:
  • First-ever NXT Women's Champion.
  • Two-time WWE Divas Champion (winning the title on her main roster debut).
  • Star of the critically acclaimed film, Fighting with My Family.
  • Current status (2025) involves being open to a potential WWE return and planning an in-ring training comeback after her time in AEW.

Austin Watson (Xavier Woods)

• Real Name: Austin Watson
• Born: September 4, 1986 (Columbus, Georgia, USA)
• WWE Debut: 2010 (FCW/NXT), 2013 (Main Roster)
• Key Career Highlights:
  • Longest-reigning WWE Tag Team Champion in history (with The New Day).
  • Multiple-time Tag Team Champion (Raw and SmackDown).
  • Winner of the King of the Ring tournament (now King Woods).
  • Host of the successful YouTube gaming channel, UpUpDownDown.
  • Current status (2025) involves recently signing a new multi-year contract extension with WWE, ensuring his long-term future with the company.

The 2017 Leak: The Scandal That Changed Everything

The core of the controversy stems from a malicious 2017 hack that resulted in the distribution of private, explicit photos and videos of Paige. The content included footage of Paige, her then-boyfriend Brad Maddox, and a separate video featuring Xavier Woods. This was not a consensual release but a brutal violation of privacy, a fact that is often forgotten in the sensationalism of the story.

For Saraya, the fallout was immediate and deeply personal. She was already dealing with a serious neck injury, and the emotional toll of the leak, combined with public scrutiny and online bullying, was immense. She later revealed that the incident nearly destroyed her life and led to severe mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts and a dependency on substances as a coping mechanism.

Xavier Woods' situation was equally precarious. As a member of the highly popular and family-friendly trio, The New Day, and with a partner expecting a child at the time, his professional standing was severely threatened. The WWE Universe and management were closely watching, and many speculated that he would be fired or demoted.

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The third party, Brad Maddox (Tyler Warner), had already been released from the company in 2015 for an unrelated incident. He later admitted to being the one who had the videos and photos on his phone, leading to the breach. His career effectively ended after his WWE release, and the leak cemented his unfortunate association with the scandal.

5 Defining Impacts: Resilience, Privacy, and Professional Success in 2025

The dust has settled on the initial shock, but the incident's effects have permanently shaped the careers and public personas of Saraya and Xavier Woods. Their current success in 2025 serves as a testament to their resilience.

1. The Unbreakable Bond of The New Day

Despite the intense pressure and calls for disciplinary action against Xavier Woods, WWE chose to stand by him, and crucially, his stablemates Kofi Kingston and Big E stood by him. The New Day did not break up; instead, they became even more unified. This decision allowed Woods to continue his career without interruption, contributing to The New Day becoming the most decorated tag team in WWE history. His recent signing of a new multi-year contract in late 2025 confirms his status as a long-term cornerstone of the company.

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2. Saraya’s Powerful Advocacy for Mental Health

The most profound long-term impact on Saraya has been her transformation into a vocal advocate for mental health and body positivity. Her candid discussions about the leak, addiction, and recovery have resonated with millions globally. She used her platform in AEW and in interviews to share her story of survival, turning a moment of extreme vulnerability into a source of strength for others facing cyberbullying and privacy violations. This narrative of overcoming darkness has defined her post-WWE persona.

3. A Shift in WWE’s Social Media Privacy Stance

The sheer magnitude of the scandal forced WWE to re-evaluate its policies regarding the private lives of its talent and the potential for social media privacy breaches. While no official policy change was publicized, the company's handling of the situation—choosing to support the victims rather than punish them—set a precedent. The incident served as a stark warning to all professional wrestlers about the dangers of online exposure and the vulnerability of their personal data.

4. The Legacy of the "Anti-Diva" is Cemented

Saraya's character, Paige, was known as the "Anti-Diva," a rebel who broke the mold of the traditional WWE female star. The leak, while horrific, reinforced her image as a defiant survivor who fought through personal and professional hell. Her story, which includes the neck injury that forced her retirement and her subsequent return to the ring, is now inextricably linked to her ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, cementing her legacy as one of the most compelling and human figures of the Women's Revolution era.

5. The Movie That Almost Didn't Happen

At the time of the leak, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was producing a biographical film about Saraya and her family, Fighting with My Family. Many speculated the controversy would lead to the film's cancellation. However, the film proceeded and was a critical and commercial success. Its release in 2019 provided a powerful, positive counter-narrative to the scandal, showcasing Saraya's family, passion, and talent, and helping to shift the public focus back to her professional achievements rather than her private life.

In 2025, both Saraya and Xavier Woods stand as symbols of perseverance. Woods continues his legendary run with The New Day, and Saraya is actively working toward an in-ring return, possibly back in WWE. Their success, years after the incident, proves that a violation of privacy, no matter how damaging, does not have to be the final chapter of a career.