Paige announced on Friday that her time with WWE would end on July 7.
Paige hasn’t wrestled since December 2017 due to a neck injury and was used in various roles such as the SmackDown General Manager and manager of Asuka & Kairi Sane. However, she hasn’t been used much in recent years.
On her Twitch stream, Paige opened up on WWE not renewing her deal:
“I knew it was coming eventually. Getting the, ‘Hey, can I call you? I’m at SmackDown though.’ I’m like, ‘That leaves no room for negotiation. They’re probably not going to renew it.’ I had a feeling for awhile. I’m appreciative of WWE. They helped me so much, more than just wrestling. They got me a therapist when I was having drinking and alcohol issues. They kept me, even after my neck surgery, just sitting on my ass. I really appreciate that. I feel like I had so much left to give there as someone who can cut a decent promo and do a managerial role. It is what it is,” she said. “I’m not leaving because I want to, they just don’t want to re-sign my contract. I completely understand. There is no hard feelings.”
Paige confirmed that she doesn’t have a non-compete clause so she’s free and clear to sign with any promotion she wants.
“If you don’t renew the contract then, I don’t think there’s any non-compete clause. That’s not what I was told on the phone. We’re having a normal conversation and it’s like, ‘So, we’re not gonna renew your contract.’ I texted Vince (McMahon), he texted back. Everyone was respectful about it. It’s a bummer. They are keeping the door open, both Vince and Johnny [John Laurinaitis] said they’ll keep the door open, but that’s usually what companies say. I do feel if I ever went back, it would make it more special. If WWE ever asked me to do something, it would be that much more special,” she said. “There’s nothing I can do, I wish I could stay longer. WWE doesn’t want to re-sign me. It’s not my decision. I don’t want anyone to think it’s my decision to walk away.”
“That’s what I don’t like. I was sitting around for a long time. I was texting them back in November like, ‘what’s the deal, do you guys want me to re-sign? I’d rather get the ball rolling than wait until the last minute.’ That’s the one thing that I personally didn’t like, the waiting around for no reason. They weren’t using me to my full potential, that’s for sure,” she said. “I broke my neck twice for this company, just to be let go. I still tried to fight to do something and then to not be told until the last minute left me disappointed. Again, I understand their reasoning why they didn’t want to re-new the contract.”
H/T to Fightful for the transcript
