The WWE landscape is buzzing with the unexpected departure of Ava from her General Manager role in NXT, leaving fans and wrestling veterans alike pondering the future leadership of the developmental brand! Wrestling legend Booker T, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, recently shared his thoughts on his Hall of Fame podcast, and his insights are certainly worth discussing.
Booker T initially expressed that he felt Ava was doing an excellent job as the NXT General Manager. He highlighted her ability to connect with the younger talent and understand the desires of a younger demographic, a crucial element in today's evolving wrestling scene. He stated, "I thought she fit that role very, very well as a young person, being a part of such a young group of guys doing big things, and being able to have the finger on the pulse as far as knowing what young people may want, perhaps maybe what young people may need." He even added a poignant thought, "We said for many years, respect your elders, but I do believe we got to respect the young people these days."
This then led to the burning question: Who will step into Ava's shoes? Booker T acknowledged that the search for a successor is on, and he even mentioned that Chelsea Green had thrown her hat in the ring, a prospect he felt could work well given her experience as a two-time Women's United States Champion.
But here's where it gets interesting... Booker's co-host, Brad Gilmore, brought up a listener suggestion that has truly set the wrestling world alight: Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE.
Booker T's reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. He exclaimed, "What a hell of a return that would be." He elaborated on the shock value and unexpected nature of such a move, stating, "That would be so awe-shocking, just because you’re not expecting it. It’s totally out of left field. It’s someone who I could see playing that role and playing that role very, very well…Great idea."
For those who might need a refresher, Saraya was a prominent figure in WWE's women's division before a severe neck injury tragically cut short her in-ring career. She later made a highly anticipated return to wrestling in AEW in 2022, though her tenure there concluded in 2024. While Saraya did have a stint as the General Manager for SmackDown in 2018, she has recently been teasing a potential return to active competition. Recent training videos she posted online, showing her in the ring with indie wrestler Vipress, have garnered millions of views and fueled speculation about her in-ring future. Saraya herself expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming fan support, stating on X, "I found my wrestling passion and myself again…and I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve been receiving from everyone. Thank you so much!" She even mentioned the incredible response to her training videos, saying, "You guys have been going bonkers!! 13 MILLION VIEWS on a couple of training videos, filled with love and support and it’s still going. I’m not a perfect person but you guys make me feel like a superhero and you all believe in me and I thought I lost that. Thank you."
And this is the part most people miss... While the idea of Saraya as NXT GM is exciting, it's worth noting that Shawn Michaels has since named Robert Stone as the interim General Manager of NXT. This development might suggest that Saraya's current focus could indeed be on a full return to in-ring action, rather than a managerial role.
So, what are your thoughts? Is Saraya the perfect fit to take the reins as NXT's General Manager, or should she focus on her potential in-ring comeback? Who else do you think would be a fantastic candidate for this pivotal role? Let us know your opinions in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
