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Paige returns to WWE: Women's star makes comeback at WrestleMania 42
LAS VEGAS â Paige is back in WWE.
The first shocker of WrestleMania 42 came during night one on Saturday, April 18, with the womenâs star making her return to the company.
Not only that, but sheâs competing, too. She took the place of the injured Nikki Bella, teaming with Brie Bella for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship fatal four-way match.
Her music hit and the crowd erupted inside Allegiant Stadium.
It was more than a return. She looked solid in the ring as she went on to get the pin in the match, winning the Women's Tag Team Championship with Bella.
Paigeâs return confirms multiple reports from the days leading up to the event that she had re-signed with WWE after leaving in 2022. It became more likely she would appear at WrestleMania after Nikki Bella suffered an ankle injury in March.
She had stayed optimistic about competing alongside her sister, but ultimately Bella was held out and Paige was put in her place.
A major part of the womenâs revolution in WWE, Paige became a major star all while being one of the youngest wrestlers on the roster. She was the inaugural NXT Womenâs Champion and had one of the most successful debuts on the main roster, when she won the Divas Championship at age 21.
WrestleMania showcases a mix of highâprofile matchups and crowdâdriven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and postâmatch celebrations follow.
Above, LA Knight celebrates alongside The Usos following their pinfall victory over The Vision and IShowSpeed on Night One of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026.
LA Knight lands a punch against Logan Paul on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Austin Theory, IShowSpeed and Logan Paul enter the arena during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
LA Knight enters the ring on the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Usos enters the ring during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
John Cena enters the ring at the start of the first night to host WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Building wraps for WrestleMania 42 are shown on the exterior of Allegiant Stadium on April 17, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The WWE's flagship event will be held at the venue on April 18th and 19th.
1 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
WrestleMania showcases a mix of highâprofile matchups and crowdâdriven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and postâmatch celebrations follow.
Above, LA Knight celebrates alongside The Usos following their pinfall victory over The Vision and IShowSpeed on Night One of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026.
1 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
WrestleMania showcases a mix of highâprofile matchups and crowdâdriven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and postâmatch celebrations follow.
Above, LA Knight celebrates alongside The Usos following their pinfall victory over The Vision and IShowSpeed on Night One of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026.
2 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
LA Knight lands a punch against Logan Paul on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
3 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
Austin Theory, IShowSpeed and Logan Paul enter the arena during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
4 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
LA Knight enters the ring on the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
The Usos enters the ring during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
6 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
John Cena enters the ring at the start of the first night to host WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
7 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
Building wraps for WrestleMania 42 are shown on the exterior of Allegiant Stadium on April 17, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The WWE's flagship event will be held at the venue on April 18th and 19th.
Paige, as Saraya during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center.
Paigeâs rise continued over the years with various feuds, but her in-ring career came to a sudden halt when neck injuries resulted in WWE forcing her to medically retire. She maintained a presence in the company in managerial roles, but she eventually left in 2022.
Afterward, she joined All Elite Wrestling under the name Saraya. She continued wrestling with that company and was there until 2025.
Now, nearly 10 years after her last WWE match, Paige is back in the ring again.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paige returns at WrestleMania 42, back in WWE
