7 Shocking Years Later: The Unseen Aftermath Of The Xavier Woods And Paige Leaked Video Scandal

The 2017 leak of private, explicit material involving WWE Superstars Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis) and Xavier Woods (Austin Watson) was one of the most explosive and controversial events in modern professional wrestling history. More than seven years later, as of December 17, 2025, the initial shock has faded, but the story of resilience, career recovery, and the profound impact on digital privacy remains a critical topic for fans and industry analysts.

This deep dive moves beyond the sensationalism of the initial event to examine the long-term professional and personal journeys of both individuals. From career-threatening fallout to championship victories and major contract developments, the story of Woods and Saraya is one of extraordinary public endurance in the face of intense public scrutiny and cyberbullying.

The Complete Biography and Profile of the Stars Involved

The scandal involved three professional wrestling figures, each with a distinct career trajectory before and after the incident. The following profiles detail their essential biographical information:

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Saraya-Jade Bevis (Paige)

• Ring Name(s): Paige (WWE), Saraya (AEW)
• Real Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
• Born: August 17, 1992 (Age 33)
• Hometown: Norwich, Norfolk, England
• Career Highlights: Inaugural NXT Women's Champion, Two-time WWE Divas Champion, Youngest Divas Champion in history.
• Current Status (2025): Signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) after a career-threatening neck injury forced a WWE retirement. Actively wrestling and a prominent figure in the AEW women's division.
• Key Entity: Member of the famous Knight wrestling family.

Austin Watson (Xavier Woods)

• Ring Name(s): Xavier Woods, Consequences Creed (TNA)
• Real Name: Austin Watson
• Born: September 4, 1986 (Age 39)
• Hometown: Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Multi-time WWE Tag Team Champion, King of the Ring (2021) winner.
• Current Status (2025): Active WWE Superstar on the Raw brand. Long-standing member of the highly successful faction, The New Day. Creator and host of the popular gaming YouTube channel, UpUpDownDown.
• Key Entity: Holds master's degrees in psychology and educational psychology.

Brad Maddox (Joshua Kluttz)

• Ring Name(s): Brad Maddox
• Real Name: Joshua Kluttz
• Born: May 4, 1984 (Age 41)
• Current Status: Released from WWE in 2015, prior to the leak. Has largely stepped away from the professional wrestling spotlight.

The Shockwave of the 2017 Leak and Immediate Fallout

The explicit videos and photos, which were reportedly stolen from Saraya’s phone by hackers, were released online in March 2017. The content showed Saraya, Woods, and Brad Maddox in private, intimate settings.

The immediate reaction from the professional wrestling community and the public was explosive. The nature of the leak—a non-consensual distribution of private material—sparked a massive discussion about digital privacy, revenge porn, and cyberbullying.

For Saraya, who was also dealing with a severe neck injury and a prior WWE Wellness Policy violation, the timing was devastating. She later revealed the experience led to extreme distress, including thoughts of self-harm and a significant decline in her mental health.

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Xavier Woods, a key member of the highly marketable and family-friendly group The New Day, also faced immense pressure. The WWE was placed in a difficult position, with many fans speculating about punitive action against the stars involved.

Despite the controversy, Woods maintained his position in The New Day, a testament to the group's popularity and the company's decision to treat the matter as a privacy violation rather than a moral failing on the part of the performers.

Career Resilience: How Both Stars Rebuilt Their Lives in the Public Eye

The most compelling part of this story is the incredible career resilience demonstrated by both Saraya and Woods over the past seven years. Their ability to not only survive the scandal but to thrive in the ultra-public world of professional wrestling is a powerful narrative.

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Xavier Woods: The New Day's Anchor and Gaming Mogul

Austin Watson’s career trajectory since 2017 has been marked by sustained success and expansion into other media. He and The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) continued their record-breaking run as a top WWE act, winning multiple Tag Team Championships.

Crucially, Woods solidified his personal brand outside of the ring with his YouTube gaming channel, UpUpDownDown. This channel, which has millions of subscribers, became a major source of revenue and a platform for Woods to showcase his authentic personality, distinct from the wrestling character.

In 2021, Woods achieved a major personal milestone by winning the King of the Ring tournament, a long-stated childhood dream. His ability to maintain a high-level position in WWE, despite the initial controversy, is a clear example of his professional tenacity and the company's long-term faith in his marketability.

Saraya: From Retirement to AEW Resurgence

Saraya-Jade Bevis’s journey has been more tumultuous, battling both the mental health fallout from the leak and a career-ending neck injury sustained in 2017.

After retiring from in-ring competition in WWE as Paige, she transitioned to a managerial and on-screen role. However, her true resurgence came after leaving WWE and signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2022.

In a miraculous turn of events, Saraya was medically cleared to wrestle, making a full-time return to the ring after five years away. This comeback was a massive story, demonstrating her fierce determination.

The Latest Update (December 2025): Reports confirm that Saraya signed a new contract extension with AEW in the summer of 2024, keeping her with the promotion through at least September 2025. This shows her continued value to the company and her commitment to her second in-ring career. She has also publicly stated she is open to a potential WWE return as Paige in the future, keeping fans speculating about a monumental final chapter.

The Lasting Impact on Mental Health and Digital Privacy

The legacy of the 2017 scandal extends far beyond wrestling storylines. It became a high-profile case study on the devastating effects of non-consensual sharing of private images, a form of cybercrime.

Saraya has been incredibly open about her struggle, discussing the severe anxiety, depression, and substance abuse issues she faced in the wake of the leak. Her willingness to share her experience has been a powerful tool in advocating for mental health awareness within the wrestling industry and among fans.

She has consistently used her platform to highlight the cruelty of online harassment and the importance of privacy, transforming a personal tragedy into a message of hope and survival. Her current status as a successful, active wrestler in a major promotion is a testament to her personal strength and recovery.

For Xavier Woods, the incident was a stark reminder of the vulnerability that comes with public life. His response—maintaining his professional decorum, focusing on his career goals, and expanding his business empire—showcased a deliberate strategy of professional focus and personal resilience.

In 2025, the story of the Xavier Woods and Paige leak is not one of shame, but of two high-profile figures who endured a massive personal and professional crisis. They successfully navigated the complexities of digital privacy, public judgment, and media scrutiny, ultimately emerging as figures of resilience and success in their respective wrestling promotions, WWE and AEW.