The Unbreakable: 5 Ways Paige (Saraya) Transformed Her Career After The Devastating 2017 Sex Tape Leak

The 2017 sex tape leak involving former WWE superstar Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis) remains one of the most brutal and public instances of cyber-harassment in professional wrestling history. The non-consensual release of private, intimate videos and photos—which included other wrestling figures—sent shockwaves through the industry and pushed the two-time Divas Champion to what she described as "rock bottom." As of , the story of Paige is no longer defined by the violation she suffered, but by her extraordinary resilience, her career resurgence in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and her powerful transformation into a mental health advocate.

This article dives deep into the details of the infamous hack, the immediate fallout, the key figures involved, and, most importantly, the incredible steps Saraya has taken to reclaim her narrative and career, culminating in a fresh contract extension with AEW in late 2024.

Saraya-Jade Bevis: A Biographical Snapshot

Known to millions as Paige in WWE and now as Saraya in AEW, her life has been a dramatic, real-life underdog story. Her family is deeply rooted in the wrestling world, which provided the foundation for her early success and later struggles.

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• Ring Name (Current): Saraya
• Ring Name (Former): Paige
• Birth Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
• Date of Birth: August 17, 1992
• Hometown: Norwich, Norfolk, England
• Wrestling Debut: 2005 (at age 13)
• WWE Debut: 2014 (on *Raw*)
• Major Achievements: 2-time WWE Divas Champion (youngest ever), NXT Women's Champion (inaugural), AEW Women's World Champion
• Career-Defining Film: *Fighting with My Family* (2019), produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
• Key Incident: Non-consensual sex tape and photo leak in March 2017
• Current Promotion: All Elite Wrestling (AEW) (re-signed in September 2024)

The 2017 Leak: Context, Key Figures, and Immediate Fallout

The incident in March 2017 was not a simple, isolated event; it was a devastating act of cyber-crime that affected multiple individuals. The leak was part of a larger, coordinated hacking event often referred to as "Fappening 3.0," where numerous celebrities and public figures had their private cloud accounts breached and intimate content stolen.

The Non-Consensual Release

The explicit videos and photos were stolen from Paige’s personal cloud storage and were shared without her consent. This distinction—the non-consensual nature of the release—is crucial, as it defines the act as a violation of privacy and a form of digital abuse, not a scandal of her own making. The content quickly went viral across various online platforms, leading to immediate public humiliation.

Wrestling Figures Involved

The leaked content featured Paige with two other male wrestlers. The most prominent names associated with the tapes were former WWE superstar Alberto Del Rio (Paige's then-boyfriend) and WWE's Xavier Woods (Austin Watson). The involvement of multiple active wrestlers amplified the story's reach and led to significant professional fallout for all parties involved.

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The Emotional and Professional Toll

The consequences for Saraya were immediate and catastrophic. She was already dealing with a neck injury and a turbulent relationship, but the leak pushed her to the edge. She openly discussed the psychological damage, revealing she contemplated suicide and suffered from severe stress that caused her hair to fall out. The public commentary was relentless, with online trolls and some wrestling fans blaming her for the violation.

In her initial statement, Saraya confirmed the hack and rightfully notified the public that she was a victim of a crime.

5 Ways Paige Reclaimed Her Narrative and Career After The Leak

Instead of letting the incident define her, Saraya used the trauma as a catalyst for a powerful comeback and a platform for advocacy. Her journey from "rock bottom" to a re-signed, prominent figure in a major wrestling promotion is a testament to her resilience.

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1. Turning Trauma into Triumph with *Fighting with My Family*

The most public step in reclaiming her story was the release of the 2019 biographical sports comedy-drama *Fighting with My Family*. Produced by Hollywood mogul Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the film stars Florence Pugh as Saraya and chronicles her journey from her family's wrestling promotion in Norwich to her WWE debut. Crucially, the sex tape leak was not omitted; it was included as a central, dramatic climax to the story. By allowing her violation to be part of a major motion picture, Saraya took control of the narrative, presenting herself not as a victim, but as a survivor who overcame a profound personal crisis.

2. Becoming a Leading Voice for Mental Health Advocacy

Following the leak, Saraya became an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of privacy in the digital age. She used her platform to share the devastating emotional impact of the hack, including her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. This transparency helped thousands of fans who had experienced similar forms of cyber-bullying and non-consensual image sharing, repositioning her public persona as a figure of strength and vulnerability.

3. The Successful Transition to All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

After a career-ending neck injury forced her to retire from in-ring competition in WWE, Saraya made a shocking and high-profile debut in AEW in September 2022. Adopting her real first name, Saraya, she shed the "Paige" persona and began a new chapter. This move was a huge step in her professional comeback, allowing her to compete again after being medically cleared. Her presence immediately boosted the AEW women's division, proving her value as a top-tier star outside the WWE umbrella.

4. Securing a Fresh Contract in Late 2024

In a major update to her career, Saraya re-signed with All Elite Wrestling in September 2024, just as her initial contract was expiring. This new agreement cemented her status as a valued asset to the company and demonstrated her continued commitment to professional wrestling despite her earlier comments about nearing the end of her career. The re-signing proves that her professional career is thriving, entirely separate from the 2017 incident.

5. Monetizing Her Story and Brand on Her Own Terms

Saraya has successfully built a personal brand that extends beyond the ring. She has leveraged her fame and notoriety to launch various successful ventures, including fashion and beauty lines. By diversifying her career and focusing on entrepreneurship, she has created a financial and professional foundation that is entirely under her control. This self-determination is the ultimate act of defiance against those who sought to exploit and control her with the leaked content.

The Lasting Legacy of Saraya's Battle for Privacy

The story of the Paige sex tape leak is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of private life in the digital age. However, Saraya-Jade Bevis's response has turned a moment of profound violation into a powerful narrative of survival. She has moved past the title of "victim" and embraced the role of an advocate and a thriving professional wrestler. Her current status in AEW, secured by a fresh contract in late 2024, highlights a career defined by triumph over adversity, making her an enduring symbol of resilience in the world of sports entertainment.