A NEW PAIGE IN HISTORY - Interview with Paige (Issue 106 May 2014)

Following her incredible Divas title win on Raw, Tom Skates chats with Paige about that honour, how she made it to the main roster, and how she hopes to be a big part of next year’s WrestleMania.

FSM: Congratulations on becoming Divas champion!
Paige: (laughs) It’s incredible – I can’t believe it!

You won the title in your first TV match on the main roster...
Well, I keep saying I’m going to be a history-maker. I was the first person to win the NXT Women’s championship, I’m now the youngest ever WWE Divas champion, and I’m the first ever joint champion, so whatever happens, I am making history.
This is what I wanted, and I can’t even put into words how I feel. Being on WWE TV is an incredible honour, and a dream come true.

Who would you like to thank for helping you on this journey?
All my family: my mum, my dad, my brothers Roy and Zak, my sister, and my uncle Jason Cross. These are the people that taught me from scratch, so I’d really like to thank them. They worked so hard on making me who I am.
My family were all so supportive when I first came over to America – I’d never been that far away from home. The first time I move out, and I move to the other side of the world! My dad and my mum would talk to me every day and make me feel better and a little less homesick, so I’d just like to thank them because without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Who in WWE has helped you?
Oh, everyone here is very supportive. In developmental, Norman Smiley was a big part of my training when I first came over; he got me out of bad habits I’d picked up, and Sara Del Rey is one of the best in the world, so I’m grateful she’s here.
Also up here is Hunter (Triple-H), and he’s really taken NXT and made it into this phenomenon. Anyone who comes up through developmental now, you really, really feel like you’re in WWE. So I’d like to thank Hunter and Stephanie (McMahon) for everything they’ve done for me.

It seems like you have to work really hard for your spot?
It is hard work down there, and you really need to have the passion and the determination and the dedication and the hunger. But if you work hard, it makes a lot of difference because when you come up to the main TV shows, you’re ready for absolutely anything they throw at you. You’re like, “I’m ready, I can do this!”

Who else in NXT should the fans be watching out for?
Look out for Bayley, who is absolutely fantastic. Everything about her is great: her character, her moveset, and she is the most humble girl – really nice but so strong in the ring. Also look out for Sasha Banks and Charlotte, but Bayley is my number one pick to make an impact.
From the guys, look out for Adam Rose and Bo Dallas. You’ve also got Adrian Neville – who is a fellow Brit, so obviously you should look forward to seeing him – and Sami Zayn.
I think NXT is the best it’s ever been; everyone’s working really, really hard now, and everyone’s determined not only to get to Raw but also to get on to NXT because that’s huge right now. So everyone’s just working their behinds off.

What is your next goal?
I want to try and have the longest reign of any Divas champion, and I want to be on the next WrestleMania.
I’m hungry, and I always want to try and get more and do more and, work hard to get it.

Who would you like to work with? You have some history with Summer Rae...
We do, but I don’t only have history with Summer, but with Emma, too. She is absolutely incredible. Those two are probably my favourite opponents, along with Natalya.
I’m looking forward to what the future holds when it comes to my opponents; I think Emma is the number one girl I want to shape up against, because we did it for the NXT Women’s championship. Now, we can do it for the Divas championship.

You mentioned wanting to be a part of WrestleMania. What was your favourite moment from this year’s show?
The Undertaker losing the streak was incredible. I was backstage and I couldn’t believe it – I felt the air go out of people. I literally got out of the viewing area and walked out [into the arena] just so I could feel the energy in the air – it was mind-blowing. I just saw all these people’s faces, and they just looked so defeated. I’m always going to be a fangirl, always, and that completely blew my mind.
Obviously, I love the fact that Daniel Bryan won – that’s absolutely incredible in itself, and I loved the start of WrestleMania when Hulk Hogan, “Stone Cold” and The Rock were all in the ring together.
That was an historic moment.