26. IMO: Paige

 

Here it is Ladies and Gentlemen, my "IMO" on WWE Diva Paige. Okay let me just clear the air first. So a lot of people think that I don't like Paige and that I always throw shade at her. Yes, in the past I have thrown shade her way, but it wasn't directed towards her. It was directed to WWE Creative and her future reigns as champion. I like Paige. I seriously do. I am not even lying. I think she is very good at what she does, I have never denied her ability when it comes to the squared circle. I think she has a promising career in WWE. With all of that said, I do have opinions on her due to what WWE is doing to her. It is obvious, WWE has made Paige the next AJ Lee. However, I still firmly believe that The Bella Twins are the Face of the Division. But that is a discussion for a different day. Now let me go over some of her career highlights and then I will give my opinions on her. I am going to be honest and be open minded, I promise. So let's kick it off...

 

NXT Women's Champion: Okay can I just say that Paige's "Anti-Diva" character was BEST in NXT. They let her be that lone wolf and that outcast. She was different. She wasn't a babyface or heel, she was just there to kick ass. She became the first ever NXT Women's Champion and it was truly deserved. She held the title for 308 days, however she was injured for a large portion of the reign and they let her keep the belt. She had to vacate the belt because she was called up and won the Divas Title.

Winning the Divas Championship in her Debut: Okay so at WrestleMania 30, AJ Lee retained the divas title over every diva in the division in the "Vickie Guerrero Divas Championship Invitational". After AJ won the match, I knew she was going to drop it the next night. I had my eyes on Paige, but it could've been anyone. I kept an open mind. Then the next night on Raw, April 7, 2014, she came out to deliver a promo and I knew someone was going to cut her off, and whoever did it was going to be a shocker. It was none other than Paige. Paige came down to congratulate AJ, although AJ didn't accept it too well. AJ put her title on the line and Paige got the win. I WAS SHOCKED. I mean when she said "and for post WrestleMania treat I will put my title on the line", I knew Paige was going to win. But when it happened, I was still shocked. She hands down has had the best debut of any diva in history by winning the championship on her first night.

Feud with AJ: Okay so after she won the title from AJ, she then went on to have several different title defenses. She defended against Tamina at Extreme Rules, Alicia Fox at Payback, and Naomi at Money in the Bank. She also had a Raw title defense against Brie Bella, but that was set up for a Kane run in. So Paige was pretty much proving that she is a good champion and deserves it. Paige came out on the June 30, 2014 edition of Raw, Paige cut a promo. ROLES REVERSED. AJ Lee cut her off, returning to WWE after her hiatus after losing the belt to Paige. Paige was surprised and the crowd was too. AJ Lee lured Paige into putting her title on the line and Paige did. AJ Lee got the win with a roll up to become a 2 time Divas Champion. Paige was shocked and couldn't believe that AJ did what she did 3 months ago with AJ. AJ and Paige started a frenemy storyline. Paige would get a rematch at Battleground 2014 in a losing effort to AJ, still being friends after. I still think that their Battleground match was their best match together. Paige actually turned heel on AJ Lee the next night claiming the infamous line "this is my house". Paige then went on to get a Summerslam match against AJ, and she did it again. Paige at Summerslam became a 2 time Divas Champion. Paige would then keep feuding with AJ into Night of Champions, but now Nikki Bella was added to the mix by The Authority. At Night of Champions it was a Triple Threat between AJ Lee, Paige, and Nikki Bella. AJ Lee walked out champion and became a 3 time Divas Champion. Paige then got one more one on one shot at AJ Lee at Hell in a Cell, in a losing effort. This closed the feud between AJ Lee and Paige

Paige regaining Prominence: Okay so from November to January, Paige wasn't involved in the title picture. At Survivor Series she competed in a 4 on 4 Divas Tag Match and her team lost. It was the babyface team of Emma, Naomi, Alicia Fox, and Natalya vs the heel team of Paige, Cameron, Layla, and Summer Rae. Then she didn't really have a storyline in December. She then made her debut on Total Divas in January 2015 and then she got involved in a storyline with Natalya. It was a feud between Natalya/Paige and the Bella Twins. This feud led into a tag match at Royal Rumble in which the Bella Twins won. This then led into Paige getting right back in the title picture. Paige would then receive title matches at FastLane, March 2nd of Raw, and March 23rd of Raw. She failed to get the title on all 3 occasions. AJ Lee returned in the mix of this to aide Paige in taking down the Bella Twins. This led to a Tag Match at WrestleMania 31 between the 2 duos, and AJ Lee and Paige won the match. Paige won a battle royal 2 weeks later on Raw and became number one contender. Naomi turned heel and took Paige out of action. Paige went away to film a movie for WWE Studios with The Miz. Paige returned on the May 18th edition of Raw to save Nikki Bella from a attack from Naomi and Tamina, she then proceeded to lay out Nikki Bella too. This then led to a Triple Threat at Elimination Chamber between Naomi, Paige, and Nikki Bella. Nikki Bella walked out champion. Paige got another opportunity at the title on the June 1st of Raw, in which she lost due to The Bella Twins pulling Twin Magic. Paige would then get yet another opportunity at the title at Money in the Bank and she lost due to Twin Magic.

 

Okay so that covers Paige's career so far with WWE. Okay so now its time for me to give my thoughts on what has happened so far with her and where she is heading in WWE.

 

I love Paige. I think she is very talented in the ring. I think her career is going to be Hall of Fame worthy. Yes, at times she does call spots a bit too loud and yes she may botch. But to be fair, Superstars and Divas botch every now and then, so its not a big deal. I think Paige was rightful to be the first NXT Women's Champion. When she debuted and won the title, I was excited. A year later I have different opinions on it. I believe she was set to win the belt soon, but I just feel like all the divas in the back didn't get a fair chance. That invitational does not count, we all knew AJ was going to retain. And the only reason WWE gave them that match was because they cut the divas match at the previous Mania. When Paige won the title a second time, I was a bit surprised. I thought AJ was going to retain, but I was wrong. As far as her deserving to be a 2 time Divas Champion in only 4 months of being here, it was a bit rushed. And her reign was only for 1 month, so I felt like it was pointless. Both of Paige's reigns as champion haven't been the best as far as booking. Her first reign she had several challengers, but the reign meant nothing because Paige wasn't her true self, a heel. Her second reign flew by so fast that it shouldn't have happened. If AJ won it back in 1 month, then they should've just kept it on AJ. Now currently is where I have my biggest issue with WWE and the way they're portraying Paige. Since February 2015, Paige has received 6 title shots against Nikki Bella. That is a bit ridiculous. I mean 3 is always the magic number, and in my honest opinion, if you're not going to let her win it by the third title match, then it needs to be done. I feel like her 3 title matches she had before Mania were okay. I feel like after Mania she should've went another direction with her character. After seeing this past Monday Night Raw, I know the feud between The Bella Twins and Paige isn't over. And now I'm even more mad at WWE. After Money in the Bank, Paige's 6th title shot, I wanted Nikki Bella to get a new challenger. Majority of fans are sick of the constant battle between the Bella's and Paige. WWE needs to realize that they are overbooking Paige and she is being rushed with everything. I am not stupid, I know what this will lead to. Paige has no allies in the division, so they will call up Charlotte to help her. It will be Bella Twins vs Paige and Charlotte at Battleground 2014. Then, sadly, WWE will have Nikki Bella vs Paige, Round 7, at Summerslam. I have had it with WWE. Yes, I do believe Paige deserves to be a 3 time Divas Champion, but not right now. She doesn't deserve it right not, and she hasn't earned it. Nikki has beaten her 6 times, whether than be clean or cheating, a win is a win, period. WWE should've given the title to Paige by now, they are playing it out. It is boring and they are making Paige boring too. It is like this ongoing saga between the 2. I don't know if Paige will get the title at Summerslam, but it wouldn't surprise me with the stupidity of WWE Creative. Most of us wanted Nikki to get a new challenger after Elimination Chamber, but no we didn't. We thought for sure after Money in the Bank that she would get someone new, but no again. They keep shoving Paige down our throats. She needs to step away from the title picture and do something on the side. WWE cannot keep Paige in the title picture forever, because I guarantee she will grow to be stale within a year from now. Paige is going to be here for 10+ year, she doesn't need to have all her goals accomplished in her first few years. She has plenty of time to do all she needs and wants to. WWE Creative needs to remove Paige from the title picture and stick people like Emma, Charlotte, Brie, Cameron, Summer, Alicia, Natalya, and Eva in it. Yes some of those people probably aren't ready for a championship, but it is the opportunity that counts. I am just growing tired of WWE with their diva storylines.

Oh and let me address Paige fans for a bit. Just going to say a little something. I understand you want Paige as champion. But you need to realize that she hasn't earned it one bit. How did losing a tag match at the rumble get her title matches in mania season? How did her losing at Elimination Chamber cause her to get a title push? That's right, it didn't. The only earned title match was after winning the battle royal and she got that title match at Elimination Chamber. That's it. And I don't understand why some of you are so in desperate need of attention when it comes to Nikki breaking AJ's reign. Like why do you have to hate? Why? Why does it pain you so much for her to do that? Why are so threatened by it? Nikki deserves that opportunity more than anyone. She has worked her ass off for 8 years and has been an excellent champion. Her matches have always been great, and there is no denying that. And let's say Paige does win the title, just know it took her 7 tries to do so. Oh and I know your thinking "that is because Nikki cheated". Okay and? Who cares? She is a heel? Every heel champion cheats. Again, why do you have to hate? A lot of you just need to stop acting like this is real, it is TV. It is made for entertainment, not for you to sit and type away at what you "think" is best. Because what you think is best usually involves Paige somewhere in that equation. I am done fighting with Paige fans, like you guys can think what you want. It is fine. Tweet what you want, say what you want, still wont change who is champion...

Okay back to Paige. In conclusion, I love Paige and I think she has great success in her future. I think WWE needs to sharpen their focus and give other divas a chance at the title. Yes I want Paige to be a 3 time champ, but not right now. Maybe some time next year. I think she can do a lot of different storylines outside the title with Superstars and Divas. I always had a vision of Bad New Barrett and Paige being a duo on TV. The 2 Brit Brawlers, I think it would be interesting and it could work with their background. But anyway, let me say it again, I NEVER SAID I DO NOT LIKE PAIGE. I LIKE PAIGE. I HAVE NEVER NOT LIKED HER. AND DONT SAY I AM FAKE BECAUSE SHE IS IN MY AVI. I TOOK THAT PICTURE WITH PAIGE BECAUSE I LIKE HER. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR...... Thank You!

 

Me meeting Paige at January 19th Edition of Raw. Yes, I love Paige. Have I made it clear yet...