After more than a year away from the squared circle, former WWE and AEW star Saraya is sending shockwaves through the wrestling world with a major update on her in-ring future. The Anti-Diva, who stepped away from AEW in October 2024 to focus on personal growth and outside projects, has revealed that she’s ready to lace up her boots once again—potentially setting the stage for a high-profile return in 2026.
A Year of Reflection and Reinvention
Saraya’s hiatus from professional wrestling was never meant to be permanent, but it was certainly transformative. Over the past 12 months, she’s immersed herself in a variety of non-wrestling ventures, most notably launching her podcast Rulebreakers and working on a memoir that promises to pull back the curtain on her journey through the industry. She’s also taken time to reconnect with family and friends, something she admits was long overdue.
“I’ve had a wonderful year to kind of dip my toe into the outside of wrestling world, and it’s been so wonderful and I have loved it and I have enjoyed it,” Saraya told the Toronto Sun in a candid interview. “But I do—once you’re a wrestler, you always miss it.”
Her time away allowed her to step back and reflect on her career, her passion for the sport, and what she truly wants moving forward. “I went through a stage where I kind of like fell out of love with it for a second,” she admitted. “And I was like, ‘I need to take a break from it.’ And that was the whole goal, you know.”
The Wrestling Bug Returns
Despite her initial intention to focus solely on non-wrestling projects in 2025, Saraya says the itch to compete has slowly crept back. “But I’ve just found this new love for it again, and I found this new passion for it again,” she shared. “And I’m gonna get into training in January and we’ll see where that takes me.”
Her return to training is expected to begin in January 2026, with the goal of not just coming back, but coming back better than ever. “If I was to ever come back, not saying I am, but if I was to ever come back, I want to be at the top of my game and be wrestling better than I was wrestling back when I was in NXT,” Saraya said. “So that’s my goal.”
Training With a Legend
To help her reach that goal, Saraya has reached out to a familiar face in the wrestling world: WWE veteran Natalya. The two have a long-standing friendship, and Natalya has invited Saraya to train at her renowned facility, The Dungeon, in Florida.
“And I’ve actually asked Natty a few times—like, she wants me to go down to the Dungeon and stuff in Florida. So I was like, absolutely,” Saraya revealed. “I miss it. I love it. I think the percentage of me going back is a lot higher now. But we’ll see where it goes. We’ll see where it goes. Who knows what will happen?”
The WWE Factor
Saraya’s comments have naturally sparked speculation about where she might return. While she was last seen in AEW, her history with WWE and her close relationship with several current roster members—including Natalya—have fueled rumors that she could make a surprise comeback to WWE.
According to a WWE insider, “There’s definitely interest from both sides. Saraya’s name has come up in conversations backstage, especially with the women’s division going through some changes. If she does return, WWE would be a logical destination, but nothing is set in stone.”
The insider added, “People are excited about the possibility. She’s a proven star, and she’s got a unique style that would fit well with the current roster. But it’s all about timing and what Saraya wants.”
A Legacy of Resilience
Saraya’s journey has been one of resilience and reinvention. After being forced to retire from in-ring competition in 2018 due to a career-threatening neck injury, she returned to the ring in 2022 with AEW, proving that she still had the fire and the talent to compete at the highest level.
Her return to training in 2026 would mark another chapter in her remarkable story. Whether she chooses to return to AEW, make a surprise appearance in WWE, or even explore new opportunities, one thing is clear: Saraya’s passion for wrestling is stronger than ever.
What’s Next?
While Saraya has not officially announced her return, her plans to resume training in January 2026 have given fans plenty to speculate about. Will she make a surprise appearance at a major event? Could she challenge for a championship in either AEW or WWE? Only time will tell.
For now, Saraya is focused on getting back into shape and rediscovering the joy of wrestling. “I miss it. I love it. I think the percentage of me going back is a lot higher now,” she said. “But we’ll see where it goes. We’ll see where it goes. Who knows what will happen?”
One thing is certain: the wrestling world will be watching closely as Saraya prepares for her next chapter.