Recently on the first episode of her new podcast, “Rulebreakers,” Saraya revealed her departure from All Elite Wrestling. The former AEW Women’s World Champion emphasized that her exit was amicable.
Here are some noteworthy moments from the podcast:
Concerning her split with AEW, Saraya said, “I’m here to disclose that my relationship with AEW is over. I had a fantastic time there. There’s no hard feelings between us. This journey has been quite magical.” Regarding her choice to leave while being away, she reflected, “I started questioning — what else is there for me to accomplish in wrestling at this moment? Currently, I don’t see a narrative where I’d fit in. I just feel like I’m out of place right now. It seems as though I might be occupying space that could be better utilized by someone else.”
Considering a possible return, she said, “I’m not saying I’ll never come back to AEW — I genuinely adore it. But right now, I’m dialing it back to focus more on myself, channeling my energy into this podcast along with this fantastic crew here.”
Appreciating Tony Khan and her colleagues: “A big Thanks to AEW. Thank you to the AEW fans — I absolutely loved my time there. Tony’s simply incredible. Anyone who gets the opportunity to work there will undoubtedly have a wonderful experience. I’ll miss the women’s locker room. Keep in touch, you know where to find me. I see some of you outside the company anyway.”
In the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Saraya expanded on her AEW exit, underlining CEO Tony Khan’s role in the decision. She had made her AEW debut at Grand Slam in Queens, New York, on September 21, 2022.
In the podcast, she discussed her intentions in AEW and her reasons for leaving: “Coming into AEW, my goal was essentially to help build things up. I never intended to be at the forefront or face of anything. My desire was to uplift other women wrestlers, if that could help them in any way. I’ve come to the realization that I’ve largely fulfilled this role and there’s not much left for me to do. I couldn’t see any more room for me in there.”
Commenting on Khan’s support, Saraya said: “He was completely supportive from the moment I asked for time off in November. I’ve been away for a while, and then I just felt like ‘There’s not much space for me here,’ so yes, we reached this decision. I’m pleased about it. He wished me the best and said the door is always open. It’s unnerving, but I’m venturing into different avenues outside of wrestling.”
Appearing on the “B4 The Bell” podcast, Saraya talked about her future in wrestling post-AEW. She hinted that she’s taking a break to explore other avenues this year.
Reflecting on unscaled heights in her wrestling career, she said, “Yes, I believe I still have a lot left to accomplish. But as of now, there’s simply no room for me. Everyone in AEW is performing remarkably well. It’s unfair to force me into any narrative at this point. I’d rather choose to sit at home instead.”
Speaking of her wish to slow down, Saraya added, “My contract is nearing its end, and I believe that it’s time I stepped back from wrestling for a while and concentrate on everything else in life. That doesn’t mean I’m renouncing wrestling forever. Wrestling is my lifeblood. However, at this moment, I want to concentrate on other projects like acting, my upcoming book, this podcast, and other ventures. 2025 is going to showcase a non-wrestling aspect of Saraya. Taking a break from wrestling seems apt.”