It’s been nearly nine years since the wrestling world essentially stood still for a weekend. You probably remember where you were if you followed the IWC (Internet Wrestling Community) back in March 2017. One minute, everyone’s talking about WrestleMania 33 builds, and the next, "Paige" is trending for the absolute worst reason possible. The Paige WWE sextape leaked news didn't just ripple through Reddit; it was a full-scale digital tsunami that threatened to drown one of the most promising careers in sports entertainment.
Honestly, looking back from 2026, the whole thing feels like a fever dream. But for Saraya (known then as Paige), it was a living nightmare. It wasn't just a "leak"—it was a targeted violation of privacy that involved hacked personal accounts and the non-consensual distribution of intimate videos.
The Day the Internet Broke: March 2017
The initial wave hit on March 17, 2017. Hackers managed to get into Saraya's private cloud storage. What they found—and subsequently dumped onto the darker corners of the web—were photos and videos of her with former WWE performer Brad Maddox and current New Day member Xavier Woods.
It was ugly.
The internet, being the place it is, reacted with a mix of gross curiosity and genuine concern. Saraya was only 24 at the time. She was already sidelined with a serious neck injury and dealing with the fallout of two Wellness Policy violations. She was basically at her lowest point, and then the floor fell out from under her.
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She didn't stay silent for long. On Twitter, she confirmed the hack, saying:
"Personal and private photos of mine were stolen and unfortunately they were shared publicly without my consent."
The brevity of that statement masked a much darker reality. She later admitted in her 2025 memoir, Hell in Boots, that she felt like her life was over. She mentioned in several interviews, including a heartbreaking sit-down with Lillian Garcia, that she suffered from severe "cyber-bullying" and even had thoughts of self-harm.
Why WWE Didn't Fire Her (and Why That Mattered)
There was a massive debate at the time. People thought for sure she’d be handed her walking papers. WWE, especially in their "PG Era," is notoriously protective of its brand. If a talent brings "disrepute" to the company, they’re usually gone.
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But things were different here.
WWE management, led by Triple H and Vince McMahon, reportedly held a high-level meeting before Monday Night Raw shortly after the leak. They came to a conclusion that actually surprised a lot of the old-school pundits: She was the victim. ### The Decision Logic
- Non-Consensual: This wasn't a PR stunt or a "leaked" tape for fame. It was a criminal hack. Firing her would be punishing a victim of a crime.
- The Xavier Woods Factor: Xavier Woods was also in the videos. He was (and is) a massive part of The New Day, one of their biggest merchandise movers. If they fired Paige, they’d have to fire him too. They weren't about to break up The New Day over a private matter.
- The Injury Clause: At the time, Saraya was recovering from neck surgery. Legally and ethically, it’s a nightmare to fire someone while they’re on medical leave for an on-the-job injury.
WWE basically just ignored it on TV. They didn't mention it, they didn't acknowledge the chants (which were occasionally disgusting), and they let the news cycle move on. It was a rare moment of corporate empathy that probably saved her life.
The Long Road to Recovery and AEW
The "butterfly effect" Saraya talked about in her statements was real. The stress of the leak, combined with her relationship with Alberto Del Rio (which was... volatile, to put it lightly), led to a dark period of substance abuse. She’s been very open about this lately. She told Chris Van Vliet in a 2025 interview that she used to hide in her house, terrified to go to the grocery store because she thought everyone had seen her most private moments.
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She eventually got clean, found a new lease on life, and—after being told she’d never wrestle again—made a miraculous comeback. When her WWE contract expired in July 2022, she moved to AEW, debuting as Saraya.
Seeing her win the AEW Women's World Championship in her home country at Wembley Stadium in 2023 was the ultimate "middle finger" to the hackers. It proved that a woman’s career doesn't have to end because some coward behind a keyboard tried to shame her.
What We Learned About Cybersecurity
If there’s any "actionable" takeaway from the Paige WWE sextape leaked saga, it’s about digital hygiene. This wasn't just a celebrity problem; it’s a everyone problem.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is non-negotiable. Most of these leaks happen through simple phishing or password guessing.
- Cloud Syncing can be a trap. If you take a photo on your phone, it might automatically upload to a server you haven't checked in years.
- The Law has changed. In 2017, "revenge porn" and non-consensual image sharing laws were patchy. Today, in 2026, many jurisdictions have much stricter criminal penalties for what happened to Saraya.
The Bottom Line
Saraya isn't defined by 2017 anymore. She’s an author, a podcaster, a veteran wrestler, and a survivor. The "Paige leak" is a footnote in a much larger story of a girl from Norwich who conquered the world, lost it all, and then built a new world from the ashes.
If you're dealing with digital harassment or a breach of privacy, know that the initial "viral humiliation" feels like the end, but it isn't. Saraya is living proof of that.
What to do if you’ve been a victim of a digital leak:
- Document everything. Take screenshots of the source and any harassment.
- Report to the platform. Use the specific "non-consensual intimate imagery" reporting tools on X (Twitter), Reddit, and Google.
- Contact law enforcement. In many states and countries, this is now a felony.
- Seek mental health support. The psychological toll is the heaviest part; don't carry it alone.
Saraya’s journey shows that while the internet never forgets, it also eventually moves on. Your value isn't determined by what a hacker stole from you.