Long a favorite of pro wrestling diehards, NXT Diva Paige finally debuted on the main WWE roster.
And a throwaway debut this was not.
Midway through Monday’s WWE RAW, reigning WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee delivered in a promo in celebration of her win at WrestleMania. Blatantly channeling her real-life fiancee CM Punk, Lee referred to herself as the “savior” of the Divas division, the best Diva in the world and the owner of an unprecedented 295-day winning-streak.
As the crowd began to respond with chants of CM Punk, the music and titantron welcomed an interruption from the newcomer. Paige’s walkout did not garner a blockbuster reaction, but it similarly failed to prompt silence. An appreciate, if not thrilled crowd showed clear recognition and support for the “insider” fan favorite.
While Paige insisted she only interrupted to congratulate AJ, the Divas champion chastised the newcomer’s interruption before challenging her to a match for the title. The match ended when Paige reversed Lee’s Black Widow submission hold into her Paige-Turner finisher. A three-count secured the new Diva the victory and the championship.
— Paige was not the only NXT performer to earn a presence on Monday’s RAW. Developmental performers Bo Dallas and Adam Rose both received promotional vignettes during the broadcast.