Paige Opens Up About Hitting Rock Bottom After Her Suspensions And Leaked Sex Tapes
Most wrestling fans are aware of the peaks and valleys that Paige has gone through in her career ? both inside and outside of the ring. But many may not be aware of just how low those valleys were in the aftermath of her 2016 WWE suspensions for violating the Wellness Policy and the subsequent leaking of sex tapes involving Paige.
Paige suffered from bouts of depression and was nearly suicidal by 2017 as she dealt with the fallout of her private life becoming public. She was also treated for anorexia and her hair started falling out according to a profile from the New York Post.
"To be publicly humiliated like that was terrible, and I don't wish that for anyone," Paige said.
All the while this was going on, Paige was also dealing with a neck injury that kept her on the shelf for a year-and-a-half.
When she thought she had hit rock bottom, a random encounter with a seven-year-old girl at a grocery store changed Paige's outlook on life.
"Of course, [the girl] didn't have the internet and thought I was the most beautiful and most successful woman in the world," Paige said. "It opened my eyes to so many things. I was like, 'I'm gonna let videos get in the way of things?'
"I thought, what am I doing? I need to be successful for her. My whole journey was supposed to be about inspiring people."
Just as Paige strives to inspire others, this chance encounter with the young girl inspired Paige and she was able to snap out of the funk she had been in.
Unfortunately, a new injury to her neck would ultimately end Paige's career, but as one door closes, another one opens and Paige became the General Manager of SmackDown Live until this past December.
She also launched a makeup and clothing line and her journey in wrestling has made its way to the big screen. Fighting With My Family debuts in theaters on Friday and it depicts the career of Paige up to her becoming the youngest Divas Champion in WWE history.
The film is co-produced by The Rock and it also features several other wrestlers including Zelina Vega and The Big Show.