Well, this in-ring retirement was a long-time coming for Paige. Last night, it was officially declared on live TV.
This is the same place where she debuted on the main roster of the WWE, four years ago. So, things certainly came full circle for her in the ring. Another heart-broking moment followed for the WWE fans once this got announced.
After the match between Sasha Banks and Mandy Rose got over, Bayley and Banks got busy with their real-life issues and went to the backstage.
This made way for The Absolution to have their moment on WWE Raw with Paige standing in the center of the ring. The former Divas Champion announced that due to the neck concussions, she can never be able to perform in a WWE ring, ever again.
“I want to thank @WWEDanielBryan… he had his first match back at #WrestleMania, and for that you give me hope.” – @RealPaigeWWE #RAW #RAWAfterMania pic.twitter.com/2olzbB1Jad
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
The former Divas Champion thanked her family for her wrestling career. She thanked the WWE for making this company what it is today and letting her be a part of it.
Furthermore, she will always call this place ‘her house’. A “thank you Paige” chant took over the arena, as the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
Furthermore, WWE.com addressed the issue posting the following message,
“Citing medical reasons, Paige made the difficult decision to retire from in-ring competition during the April 9 edition of Monday Night Raw after four years in WWE.
In an emotional address, the brave Superstar thanked Daniel Bryan for his inspiration, WWE Hall of Famer Edge for showing her there is life after sports-entertainment, the WWE Universe for their support and WWE for allowing her to do what she loves to do.”
Four years ago in New Orleans, @RealPaigeWWE debuted and won the #DivasChampionship.
Tonight in New Orleans, she retires from the ring. #RAW #ThankYouPaige pic.twitter.com/IiCa2olid5
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
In 2014, Paige made a shocking debut on WWE Raw defeating the then longest reigning Divas Champion, AJ Lee.
This made her the youngest Divas Champion in the history of the company. Going forward, she received a huge push on the roster establishing herself as a strong champion that WWE female roster has ever seen.
A leader. An icon. A trailblazer.@RealPaigeWWE is the #WomensEvolution. #ThankYouPaige #RAW #RAWAfterMania pic.twitter.com/IhUB02VZsj
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
In 2016, Paige turned out to be a victim of the devastating neck injury which required a surgery to get fixed.
Overcoming it, she made a return to in-ring competition the night after Survivor Series 2017. But, just a month later, she collapsed during a tag team match in a live event.
Following the diagnosis, she was discovered with scoliosis, i.e. a bent neck which would never let her wrestle. We wish her very best of luck for this young superstar for her future.
