Saraya Anticipated AEW Fans’ Turning on Her Despite Emotional Return

Saraya’s journey in AEW has been a remarkable one, especially considering her medical retirement due to spinal stenosis. Just a year ago, she made her AEW debut at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, and shortly after, she was medically cleared to compete in All Elite Wrestling.

Her first opportunity at winning an AEW championship came at Revolution 2023 when she participated in a triple threat match against Ruby Soho and then-AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter. Although Hayter retained her title on that occasion, Saraya later achieved her goal by winning the AEW Women’s World Title at All In last month.

Now, she is set to return to Arthur Ashe Stadium, marking her one-year anniversary since her AEW debut.

In a conversation with Metro.co.uk, Saraya shared her desire to become a heel in AEW. She had a strong feeling that the fans would eventually turn on her, and her prediction proved to be correct.

“I always wanted to be a heel, even before [AEW] knew I was gonna be wrestling again. I always wanted to be a bad guy. Because I already knew it wasn’t going to be long until they turned on me. I knew that.”

Saraya recalled conversations with wrestling colleagues like Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, and Tony Khan, where they initially suggested she would be a babyface because fans would be happy to see her. This advice frustrated her because she had a heel turn in mind from the beginning.

Saraya persisted by incorporating heelish elements into her promos and behavior, patiently awaiting the right moment to make her heel turn. Eventually, her patience paid off, and she successfully made the transition from a beloved babyface to a captivating heel character.

In tonight’s Dynamite: Grand Slam event, Saraya will defend her Women’s World Title against Toni Storm, marking another chapter in her journey as a heel in AEW.

What are your thoughts on Saraya’s successful transition from a beloved babyface to a captivating heel character in AEW? Leave us a comment.