Paige makes harrowing confession about sex tape leak after returning to WWE
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Paige has opened up about the epic toll her sex tape leak took on her, revealing how it made her feel she 'couldn't be here anymore'.
The wrestling star, who made an epic return to WWE last weekend at WrestleMania 42, said 2017 was the 'the lowest she's ever been in her life' when intimate photos and videos which featured the Norwich-born athlete were published online.
Nearly a decade on, Paige - whose real name is Saraya-Jade Bevis - has spoken out about the shame she battled after the leak and how one pivotal conversation with her dad 'saved her life'.
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She first stepped into the ring when she was just 13-years-old, so this is a lady who's spent the majority of her life fighting - but Paige admitted that she was almost out for the count after her sex tape ordeal.
The 33-year-old shied away from the spotlight in wake of the content going viral and explained she was privately battling very dark thoughts during this time.
During a recent appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s What’s Your Story? podcast, Paige said: "I was like, I can't be here anymore. I went through that stage of feeling like I was completely alone."
She explained the 'humiliation' and 'devastation' she felt at this time was also compounded by substance abuse and a toxic relationship.
"When these tapes came out, I ran out of the house and took off," Paige said. "I kept running. I ran outside this grocery store and I hid in this bush.
"People are humiliating me online. I made mistakes in these videos and stuff...that I would never do. I was 19-years-old, you know."
She recalled how she was terrified of what her father's reaction would be, explaining that her dad Ricky Knight 'is her life'.
'I was ready to do it... I was done'
Paige said: "And if he can't accept the fact that these tapes are out, I don't know if... I was ready to do it. I was done."
Thankfully, the wrestler said that her dad was 'f**king fantastic' about it.
'He absolutely saved my life'
Recalling the powerful conversation they had over the phone, Paige said: "He goes to me, 'It's alright princess - everyone has a sex life, yours just happens to be on the internet'.
"And he goes, 'You know what? You could be famous like Kim Kardashian!' I was like how the f**k do you know Kim Kardashian? I was so confused!
"He saved my life that day. He absolutely saved my life. I was doing everything I can to not be here anymore. That was the lowest I've ever been in my life.
"You convince yourself that your alone. You are not alone. The best thing you can have is community. Community is the most important thing around you.
"I am so lucky and so blessed that I have the most positive influences around me."
Paige explained she subsequently got sober and started therapy, allowing her to turn her life around.
She retired from wrestling back in 2018 when she suffered a neck injury after becoming a two-time WWE Divas Champion and the inaugural NXT Women's Champion.
The Brit then returned to the ring at WrestleMania 42, as she stood in for Nikki Bella in the Women's Tag Team Championship Match.
Speaking on the podcast, she explained that WWE said she had to be medically cleared and pass a drug test - both of which she did.
"The fact that my neck was good… I had to retire before and miss out on so many things," Paige added.
According to reports, she has now signed up for a multi-year deal with WWE - so it seems we should expect to see her back in the ring on a regular basis.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
Topics: WWE
Olivia Burke