9 Shocking Truths About The Paige Sex Tape WWE Scandal And Saraya's Unbreakable Comeback

The 2017 leak of Paige's private videos and photos remains one of the most devastating and public betrayals of privacy in professional wrestling history. While the incident itself is years old, the full, heartbreaking story of its fallout—and how Saraya-Jade Bevis, known in WWE as Paige, fought her way back from the brink—is a vital, current narrative of resilience, trauma, and recovery. As of late 2024, Saraya continues to speak openly about the experience, using her platform in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and her new book to shed light on the intense mental health struggles she faced, including depression, drug use, and an eating disorder, transforming a moment of public humiliation into a story of ultimate survival.

The controversy, which occurred during a pivotal time in her WWE career, threatened to derail the life of a young woman who had already become the youngest two-time WWE Divas Champion. This in-depth look explores the nine most shocking and crucial aspects of the scandal, her personal battle, and her powerful evolution into Saraya, the wrestler with 'nine lives.'

Saraya-Jade Bevis: Complete Biography and Wrestling Profile

Saraya-Jade Bevis is an English professional wrestler, actress, and personality, best known by her WWE ring name, Paige, and her current moniker in AEW, Saraya. Her life story is one of wrestling royalty, tragedy, and an extraordinary comeback.

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• Full Name: Saraya-Jade Bevis
• Birth Date: August 17, 1992
• Birthplace: Norwich, Norfolk, England
• Wrestling Family: She is part of the legendary Knight wrestling family, with her parents (Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya) and brothers (Zak Zodiac and Roy Bevis) all being professional wrestlers.
• Early Career: Started wrestling at the age of 13, competing across Europe under the name Britani Knight.
• WWE Debut (Paige): Signed with WWE in 2011. She became the inaugural NXT Women's Champion.
• Main Roster Debut: In 2014, she won the WWE Divas Championship in her main roster debut, becoming the youngest champion in the title's history at 21 and the only woman to hold both the NXT and Divas titles simultaneously.
• Career-Ending Injury: In late 2017, a neck injury forced her into early retirement from in-ring competition.
• Biopic: Her family's story, including her rise to WWE fame, was chronicled in the 2019 film Fighting with My Family, produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
• Current Promotion: All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she wrestles under the mononym Saraya.

The 9 Devastating Realities of the 2017 Paige Sex Tape Leak

The unauthorized release of private content in March 2017 was not just a public scandal; it was a psychological trauma that fundamentally altered Saraya's life and career trajectory. Here are the key facts about the incident and its aftermath.

1. The Leak Was a Result of Malicious Hacking

The private photos and videos, which featured Paige and other current and former wrestling talents, were stolen by hackers. The content was then disseminated widely across the internet, leading to an immediate and massive public stir in the wrestling community and beyond.

2. She Felt "Publicly Humiliated" and "Rock Bottom"

Saraya has consistently described the feeling of being "rock bottom" after the leak. The public nature of the humiliation led to a severe emotional breakdown. She has stated that she felt so embarrassed and distraught that she wanted to physically harm herself.

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3. The Scandal Fueled Existing Substance Abuse Issues

In candid interviews and her recent book, Saraya revealed that at the time of the leak, she was already struggling with drug and alcohol dependency. The intense stress and shame from the leak exacerbated these issues, sending her on a downward spiral into deeper depression.

4. The Leak Caused Stress-Induced Anorexia and Hair Loss

One of the most shocking revelations about the aftermath was the physical toll the stress took on her body. Saraya developed stress-induced anorexia, an eating disorder where she lost a significant amount of weight, and also experienced substantial hair loss due to the extreme psychological distress.

5. WWE Stood by Her During the Crisis

Despite the sensitive nature of the content and the company's family-friendly image, WWE reportedly decided to stand by Paige. While the incident led to immense pressure and speculation about her future, the company did not immediately terminate her contract, focusing instead on her eventual return from injury.

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6. The Leak Coincided with a Career-Threatening Injury

The sex tape scandal hit at a time when Paige was already sidelined with a serious neck injury, which would eventually force her to retire from in-ring action in 2018. The combination of career uncertainty and public trauma created an overwhelming personal crisis.

7. The Biopic Fighting with My Family Addressed the Trauma

The 2019 film about her family's journey to WWE, produced by Dwayne Johnson, made the brave decision to include the hacking incident and its emotional impact on the character of Paige (played by Florence Pugh). This cinematic portrayal brought the issue of non-consensual sharing of private content to a mainstream audience.

8. Saraya Used the Trauma in Her New Book, Hell in Boots

Saraya’s 2024 book, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, serves as a major platform for her to take control of her narrative. In the book, she addresses the sex tape leak, her mental health battles, and other personal traumas, including childhood abuse, as part of her journey to recovery.

9. The Incident Fueled Her AEW "Saraya" Persona

Upon her shocking return to wrestling with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2022, Saraya adopted a new moniker, essentially shedding the "Paige" persona. Her current character and narrative often touch upon her real-life struggles, including the career-ending injury and the public shame, positioning her as a resilient survivor who has overcome immense adversity.

Saraya's Unbreakable Comeback: From Paige to AEW Star

The story of Saraya-Jade Bevis is ultimately one of resilience. While the "Paige sex tape WWE" headlines were a dark chapter, her current work focuses on empowerment and survival. Her transition to All Elite Wrestling marked a physical and psychological fresh start.

Reclaiming Her Narrative and Identity

By returning to her family name, Saraya, she symbolically distanced herself from the persona that was so heavily associated with the scandal and her injuries. This move was a conscious effort to reclaim her identity and control the narrative surrounding her career. She has used her platform to speak out about the toxicity of online shaming and the importance of mental health awareness, especially for victims of non-consensual content sharing.

The Power of Transparency and Advocacy

Saraya's willingness to discuss the depth of her struggles—from depression and addiction to stress-induced anorexia—has made her a powerful advocate. She is one of the few high-profile figures in wrestling to be so transparent about the devastating consequences of privacy invasion. Her book and interviews are not just confessions; they are a guide for others facing similar public trauma.

A New Chapter in All Elite Wrestling

In AEW, Saraya is proving that her career-ending injury was not the final word. Her return to the ring has been a triumph of determination, demonstrating that the trauma of the leak and the physical toll of her career have not broken her spirit. She continues to be a major draw, inspiring fans by actively wrestling and telling stories that resonate with her real-life fight for survival and redemption. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that even after hitting "rock bottom," a comeback is always possible.