Backstage talks got serious when Paige shared what it took to step into the ring again at WrestleMania 42. On a chat with Stephanie McMahon called What’s Your Story?, she broke down how things unfolded behind closed doors. Not just one thing mattered – WWE needed proof on two fronts before giving their nod. One after another, those demands had to be met without shortcuts.
WWE Set Return Conditions
Back home after practice, Paige mentioned needing both a clean bill of health for her neck and a passed drug screening just to get back on the roster. Outta nowhere, musician Jelly Roll reached out and set up a chat between her and Nick Khan at WWE headquarters, sparking talks faster than expected.
WWE Talks Moved Quickly
“Within 30 minutes, Nick had said, ‘Sure, let’s get a meeting with her,’” Paige said, recalling how quickly discussions began.
Years passed before she returned, yet WWE laid out what they envisioned for her return to wrestling during the discussion. Expectations were shared straight, no surprises hidden behind words.
“Two things, your neck has to be okay and we have to do a drug test,” Paige said. “I was like, ‘Fair enough.’”
Eight years clean, Paige said she never stressed over the drug test. Her neck still caused worry, though, given how often it had been hurt before. Medical checks piled up, one after another, leading to a visit for thorough exams in Birmingham. Only then did doctors say yes, allowing her return to competition.
“The fact that my neck was good… I had to retire before and miss out on so many things,” she said.
Paige’s Career Took New Turn
Back in 2017, Paige stepped away from WWE due to a serious neck injury. The next year, on the Monday night Raw right after WrestleMania 34, she made it official – her time was done. Fans thought that chapter had closed for good. Yet four years down the road, she showed up again – this time inside an AEW ring.
It was WrestleMania 42 when Paige made her long-awaited return to WWE. Instead of Nikki Bella, she took a spot in the Women’s Tag Team Championship bout. Alongside Brie Bella, victory came through an unexpected twist that shook the event. The win marked one of the night’s most shocking outcomes.
