Paige finally returned to WWE singles competition on the June 26 episode of SmackDown, ending a wait that stretched 3,125 days.
The comeback wasn’t an easy stroll, though, as she had to overcome one of the brand’s most underrated rising stars before celebrating a long-awaited victory.
Competing in front of her home-country fans in London, England, Paige stepped back into singles action for the first time since December 2017.
While many wondered how the former champion would fare after such a lengthy absence, she proved there was still plenty left in the tank. After all, ring rust doesn’t always mean ring bust.
Paige defeats Jacy Jayne in her first WWE singles match since 2017
Paige’s opponent was two-time NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, who entered the match with Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid in her corner. The trio of Fatal Influence immediately looked to tilt the odds, with Reid distracting Paige before Jayne landed a superkick and took early control.
The veteran answered back with a slap, a snapmare, repeated shots into the turnbuckles, and her trademark declaration that “this is her house.” She also neutralized Jayne’s allies with a cannonball senton off the apron before the action spilled into a back-and-forth contest.
Jayne nearly stole the victory after using the ropes for leverage on a backslide, but Brie Bella knocked her feet off the ropes before the referee could complete the count. Moments later, Reid and Brie became involved at ringside, creating another distraction.
That opening allowed Paige to capitalize. She caught Jayne with a schoolboy pin to secure the victory, giving her first WWE singles win in 3,125 days.
The result marked Paige’s first victory since defeating Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Moné, in December 2017 before she departed from WWE. Since returning this year, she and Brie Bella have already captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, but this latest win shows Paige’s singles career is back on the scoreboard.
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