WWE scrapped romantic storyline between Saraya (fka Paige) and 49-year-old veteran
WWE supposedly had rejected a romance angle between Saraya (fka Paige) and a 49-year-old veteran. The latter is none other than Shelton Benjamin.
Despite his unmatched in-ring abilities and fan popularity, Benjamin was released by WWE in 2010. However, after plying his trade for the subsequent six years in promotions including ROH, NJPW, and NOAH, the former Intercontinental Champion returned to WWE in 2017. In a recent interview, Benjamin revealed an interesting detail about one of the programs he pitched some time after his return.
Speaking to Metro, Shelton Benjamin disclosed having proposed an idea that would see him initially play the role of a bodyguard to current AEW star Saraya, who had been made the General Manager of Smackdown following her retirement from in-ring competition in 2018.
The 49-year-old star claimed that the angle would witness his relationship with The Anti Diva transform into a romantic one. However, the storyline never materialized.
"(A) pitch I had, I wanted to be – this is when I came back the second time. I think Paige was the General Manager for SmackDown... The idea was, I will start off as kind of her bodyguard, but I think it was it was going to turn romantic and that was all – they were all set to do that, and then it just didn't happen." [H/T Metro]
Saraya left WWE in 2022 and joined AEW, where she would return to action in the squared circle. The Diva of Tomorrow is a former AEW Women's World Champion in the Tony Khan-led promotion and was last seen in a losing effort against Mariah May at the Zero-Hour pre-show to Forbidden Door 2024.
Shelton Benjamin was released by WWE in 2023. He has been wrestling on the independent circuit recently. He has also been open about his interest in a potential AEW run.
Saraya shared a cryptic post amidst rumors regarding her status for AEW All In 2024
The winner of the 2024 Women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is set to challenge for the AEW Women's World Championship at All In 2024. Saraya, who won the title during last year's edition of the pay-per-view in London, aimed to return to Wembley Stadium this year by winning the Owen Hart Cup.
Unfortunately, her goal was seemingly thwarted by Mariah May, who defeated her in the quarterfinal match of the tournament during the pre-show for Forbidden Door 2024. This led to widespread speculations among wrestling fans regarding the former WWE Divas Champion heading to All In.
As conjecture builds regarding her status for the upcoming pay-per-view, Saraya took to X/Twitter, sharing a gif of a disappointed Michael Scott, the protagonist of the renowned American sitcom The Office.
The message the post intended to convey remains ambiguous, as the star did not provide any clarification. However, Saraya could be alluding to her heartbreaking loss in the tournament.