Bryn Thorne recalls her full-circle moment with Saraya.
This week, Saraya celebrates the official release of her new memoir, titled Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, which chronicles the ups and downs of her life as a professional wrestler. One of the people most moved by her story is rising independent star Bryn Thorne, who encountered Saraya while backstage at a February 2023 AEW event in Phoenix.
According to Thorne, this encounter marked a full circle moment as the two had previously met outside the same venue, eight years earlier. At the time, fans knew Saraya as Paige, a two-time Divas Champion in WWE. On that night in 2023, Saraya defeated Skye Blue on AEW Dynamite, with Thorne backstage as an extra.
“I like to think about that semi often. Especially if I just really need a minute to reflect on the entirety of my wrestling career,” Thorne told WrestleZone’s Ella Jay. Sometimes, when I think about it, I’m like, ‘God, I’ve been doing this forever.’ I met her outside of that arena when I was 13. That was a year before I started training to wrestle.
“When I was there [in 2023], it’s kind of a thing where you don’t do that. You don’t go up and talk to them and stuff because God forbid you have a moment with somebody you really admire. I was hesitant to do it. I’m not the type to just go up to people and be like ‘Oh my god.’ And I didn’t do that; I did it very respectfully. ‘Hey, I’m so sorry to interrupt you, I just wanted to let you know I met you outside this arena [eight] years ago.’ I wanted to tell her that. I showed her the picture and she’s like ‘Oh my god.’ She was so sweet, she said, ‘We have to retake it.’ I didn’t even ask her to do it, she was just like ‘We have to take this picture.’”
Saraya provided Bryn Thorne with some uplifting advice
Along with their photograph, Thorne noted that Saraya left her with an uplifting message, encouraging her to keep following her dreams of wrestling. Saraya also reassured the former
GrapHouse World Champion that she could accomplish all of them.
“That meant the world to me because that woman is my hero through and through,” Thorne said. “I would not be wrestling without her. I understand there’s been a lot for going on with her over the last decade, but I’ve always just admired her, admired her look, her ring work, everything and her story. That’s someone that has always just held dear to my heart.”
In addition to her new book, Saraya also announced she is leaving AEW and shared the reason for her departure.
Watch our full interview with Bryn Thorne below:
