Earlier tonight (April 9) on Raw, Paige made official what’s been reported for months - due to issues with her surgically repaired neck, she can no longer wrestle. Four years after she made her main roster debut on the Monday after WrestleMania 30, and with a movie about the start of her WWE career on the way from Dwayne Johnson’s production company, she’s retiring at 25 years of age.
This has understandable brought a wave of reaction from around the business, expressing sadness about this aspect of her career being cut short, and gratitude to the woman once known as The Anti-Diva for her role in education the company and its fans that good wrestling is entertaining and marketable, no matter who’s doing it.
I'm so proud of what you've achieved in this business. You paved the way for the woman of today and that the leader of the woman's revolution.
— Zak Knight (@ZakBevis) April 10, 2018
I love you sis @RealPaigeWWE #ThankYouPaige https://t.co/FjuY8Muhal
Your health and future will bring incredible things. #ThankYouPaige
— Beth Copeland (@TheBethPhoenix) April 10, 2018
You’ve done so much for women’s wrestling at such a young age and accomplished so much @RealPaigeWWE . This is heartbreaking. #ThankYouPaige
— Rebecca Quin (@BeckyLynchWWE) April 10, 2018
Thank you @RealPaigeWWE for being one of my all time favorite opponents I’ve ever worked with in the ring. I’m so proud of you for being so strong but I’m also so excited for so many incredible opportunities coming your way. You’re a star and you were born to shine! I you! pic.twitter.com/L1erOWqdlO
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) April 10, 2018
Thank you @RealPaigeWWE
— Renee Young (@ReneeYoungWWE) April 10, 2018
— MS Money in the BANK (@CarmellaWWE) April 10, 2018
Can’t even put into words how thankful I am for you @RealPaigeWWE ... you have taught me so much in such a short period of time, from Tough Enough to now. Love you and thank you ♥️ #ThankYouPaige
— Mandy (@WWE_MandyRose) April 10, 2018
Feelings are bittersweet right now .. @RealPaigeWWE has been such a mentor to me since the day I got here. She is insanely talented and I know whatever chapter is to follow will be just as amazing as this one. thank you Paige! #ABSOLUTION
— Sonya Deville (@SonyaDevilleWWE) April 10, 2018
— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) April 10, 2018
— CJ (Lana) Perry (@LanaWWE) April 10, 2018
It didn’t matter how busy you were, when I was doing tryouts or was an extra backstage you always made the time to say Hi, with a smile and hug. Heartbroken for you. Thank you for helping pave the way and changing the game. Your house @RealPaigeWWE . #ThankYouPaige
— Nikki Cross (@NikkiCrossWWE) April 10, 2018
Nooo...@RealPaigeWWE
— KAIRI SANE⚓️ (@KairiSaneWWE) April 10, 2018
I really appreciate your kindness.
It’s thanks to you that I am who I am today.#ThankyouPaige#Respect#RAWAfterMania https://t.co/knY1JsVENe
NOOOOOOOOO..... https://t.co/lTBNBHpckQ
— Tamina Snuka (@TaminaSnuka) April 10, 2018
Thank you @RealPaigeWWE #RAW
— Peyton Royce (@WWEPeytonRoyce) April 10, 2018
I LOVE YOU @RealPaigeWWE BUBBA YOU A CHAMPION
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 10, 2018
@RealPaigeWWE is awesome!
— James Ellsworth (@realellsworth) April 10, 2018
Wishing her much success #ThankYouPaige #RAW pic.twitter.com/V9VLO8MxYa
Sad to hear first @WWENXT Women’s champion @RealPaigeWWE officially announce her retirement after injuries truncated her in ring @WWE career. #RAWAfterMania
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) April 10, 2018
Thank you @RealPaigeWWE.
— Devil's Blood (@WWEAleister) April 10, 2018
— Killian Dain (@KillianDain) April 10, 2018
Man. I gotta day I’m really bummed about @RealPaigeWWE - but what a career she’s had at such a young age. She will always be successful wherever she goes. #ThankyouPaige
— Kayla Braxton (@KaylaBraxtonWWE) April 10, 2018
This will always be your house @RealPaigeWWE ❤️ Thank you for changing the game forever #ThankYouPaige
— Noelle Foley (@NoelleFoley) April 10, 2018
#ThankYouPaige We will always have your insta story @RealPaigeWWE
— James Storm (@JamesStormBrand) April 10, 2018
#ThankYouPaige I was originally taken seriously by WWE because of how well people responded to my @RealPaigeWWE paintings. Forever grateful. pic.twitter.com/CAqleiDpEl
— Rob Schamberger (@robschamberger) April 10, 2018
We here at Cageside Seats add our own thanks to Paige.
Please add yours, and share any others you’ve seen online, in the comments below.