The 2017 leak of private, explicit content involving WWE star Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis) remains one of the most traumatic and public examples of cyberbullying and revenge porn in professional wrestling history. The incident, which saw private videos and photos disseminated globally without her consent, sent shockwaves through the industry and triggered a severe mental health crisis for the British wrestler. This article, updated as of December 10, 2025, looks beyond the scandal to detail the full scope of the event, its devastating impact, and the inspiring story of Saraya’s powerful comeback in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and her advocacy for mental health.
The story of Paige is a narrative of immense success, career-ending injury, and profound personal violation. Her journey from the youngest WWE Divas Champion to a global mental health advocate, now wrestling as Saraya, is defined by her resilience in the face of public humiliation and private despair. Understanding the context of the leak is crucial to appreciating the strength it took for her to survive and thrive.
Saraya-Jade Bevis: Biography and Career Profile
Saraya-Jade Bevis is an English professional wrestler, actress, and television personality, born into a wrestling family. Her career is marked by groundbreaking achievements and a highly publicized personal life.
- Real Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
- Born: August 17, 1992, in Norwich, England
- Family: Part of the Knight wrestling family; her parents, Ricky Knight and Saraya Knight, and her brothers, Roy Bevis and Zak Zodiac, are all professional wrestlers.
- WWE Ring Name: Paige (2012–2022)
- AEW Ring Name: Saraya (2022–Present)
- WWE Debut (Main Roster): April 7, 2014, winning the Divas Championship on her first night.
- Key Championships:
- First-ever NXT Women's Champion
- Two-time WWE Divas Champion (Youngest in history at 21)
- AEW Women's World Champion (as Saraya)
- Retirement/Injury: Forced to retire in 2018 due to a neck injury, but later cleared to wrestle again.
- Movie: The 2019 film Fighting with My Family is based on her life and career.
The 2017 Cybercrime: What Exactly Was Leaked?
The "Paige sex tape" incident refers to a massive security breach that occurred in March 2017. This was not a consensual release but a malicious act of cybercrime, specifically the non-consensual sharing of intimate material, often referred to as "revenge porn."
The Unauthorized Release by Hackers
The explicit videos and private photos were stolen by hackers from Paige’s personal cloud storage. The immediate and widespread distribution across the internet was a violation of her privacy and a form of public humiliation.
Involvement of Other WWE Personnel
The leaked content included intimate material featuring Paige with two other men who were, at the time, also under contract with WWE: Brad Maddox (real name Tyler Warner) and Xavier Woods (real name Austin Creed). The public nature of the content and the involvement of multiple high-profile wrestlers amplified the scandal within the wrestling community and mainstream media.
The Infamous Divas Championship Mention
One of the most discussed and controversial aspects of the leak was a video allegedly showing a sexual act involving the WWE Divas Championship belt. This detail added a layer of controversy that drew the ire of WWE management and further complicated the fallout for all parties involved.
The Devastating Aftermath: Mental Health Crisis and Recovery
The immediate and long-term consequences of the leak on Saraya-Jade Bevis were profound, pushing her to what she has openly described as her "rock bottom."
A Descent into Suicidal Thoughts
In the wake of the leak, Paige was publicly humiliated and felt immense shame. She revealed that the trauma led her to want to "physically harm" herself and experience suicidal ideation. The public scrutiny, combined with the personal violation, created an unbearable psychological burden.
Struggle with Anorexia and Addiction
The stress and anxiety caused by the incident contributed to her developing stress-induced anorexia. Furthermore, Saraya has been open about how the period surrounding the leak was also a time of struggle with substance abuse, as she attempted to cope with the overwhelming emotional pain. Her recovery journey has involved confronting these issues head-on, making her a powerful advocate for mental health awareness.
The Path to Healing and Advocacy
Despite the trauma, Saraya has transformed her pain into purpose. She has consistently spoken out about the devastating effects of revenge porn and cyberbullying, encouraging others to seek help. Her willingness to share her darkest moments—including the leak, her neck injury, and her battles with addiction—has made her a beacon of resilience for fans who have faced similar issues.
Saraya’s Unbreakable Comeback in AEW
After a forced retirement from WWE in 2018 due to a severe neck injury, and her subsequent departure from the company in 2022, Saraya (Paige) made a stunning return to professional wrestling, proving her career was far from over.
The AEW Debut
In September 2022, Saraya made her surprise debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), using her real name. This move marked a new chapter, allowing her to step away from the "Paige" persona and wrestle under her own identity. Her return was a massive moment for the company and a symbolic victory over the personal and professional setbacks she had faced.
A Return to the Ring
After being medically cleared, Saraya returned to in-ring competition, a feat many thought impossible due to her previous neck injury. Her first match back was at the AEW Full Gear pay-per-view. She went on to achieve another major career milestone by winning the AEW Women's World Championship, cementing her status as a legitimate comeback story in the industry.
The Lasting Legacy of the Incident
While the sex tape leak is a dark chapter, Saraya has refused to let it define her. She has stated that she knows the identity of the person who leaked her private media, though she has chosen to focus on her recovery and career rather than dwell on legal retribution. Her current work in AEW, where she is thriving as a wrestler and personality, serves as a powerful testament to her strength, showing the world that victims of cybercrime can overcome public humiliation and reclaim their narrative.
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