Recently, veteran journalist Bill Apter expressed his concerns about the current booking of Saraya (formerly known as Paige) in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Despite being a valuable asset to the promotion since her debut in September 2022, Saraya’s booking has been under scrutiny. Apter, an NWA Hall of Famer, shared his thoughts on Wrestling Time Machine, hosted by Mac Davis.
Saraya had a strong start in AEW, winning the AEW Women’s World Championship at the 2023 All In event. However, after losing the title to Hikaru Shida on the October 10 episode of Dynamite Title Tuesday, her presence on the flagship show has been minimal. She was involved in a storyline with Ruby Soho, whom she betrayed last month, and is currently aligned with Harley Cameron.
The 31-year-old star has not wrestled since February, and despite being featured on either Rampage or Dynamite every week, she has only participated in five matches since November 2023. Apter questioned the promotion’s decision-making regarding Saraya’s booking, highlighting the inconsistencies in her storyline and character development.
Apter’s criticism comes amid a significant addition to the AEW women’s division, as Mercedes Mone made her much-anticipated debut at the Big Business edition of Dynamite. The veteran journalist praised Mone’s debut, saying it was better than that of The CEO, who is set to make her AEW in-ring debut at Double or Nothing 2024, where she challenges Willow Nightingale for the TBS Championship.
The questions raised by Apter have sparked a debate about the booking decisions in AEW, particularly for its women’s division. As AEW continues to grow and expand, it is essential for the promotion to address these concerns and ensure that its talented roster receives the attention and booking they deserve.
H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the quotes from Bill Apter’s interview on Sportskeeda’s Wrestling Time Machine.