During a recent interview, Saraya, better known as Paige from her WWE days, provided some intriguing insight into the creative process at All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
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During a recent interview, Saraya, better known as Paige from her WWE days, provided some intriguing insight into the creative process at All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and how it sets the promotion apart from WWE. Speaking candidly, Saraya highlighted the collaborative nature of AEW’s approach to storytelling and character development.
In her conversation with “Inside The Ropes,” the former WWE Superstar shared her experience with storylines and promos that shaped her character in AEW. Notably, Saraya praised the more collaborative process at AEW, which stands in contrast to her previous experiences in WWE. Other AEW stars like Miro and Mercedes Martinez have echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the significant role Tony Khan plays in fostering a collaborative environment.
Saraya revealed that upon her arrival in AEW, there were discussions about debuting as a heel, but Tony Khan suggested that she would work better as a babyface for her match against Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. Khan also proposed pairing her with Toni Storm, a real-life friend, to protect Storm after a neck injury that kept her out of action for over five years. Saraya expressed enthusiasm for the pairing, as it allowed for a seamless transition into her role as a babyface.
Following her match at Full Gear 2022, Saraya’s desire to turn her heel was granted. Teaming up with Toni Storm and Ruby Soho, the trio formed The Outcasts faction, embarking on a feud with AEW’s homegrown talent, including Britt Baker, Hikaru Shida, and Skye Blue. Saraya attested that this period in her wrestling career has been incredibly enjoyable, emphasizing AEW’s commitment to a slow-burn storytelling approach, allowing for depth and immersion in the narratives.
“We want to do a slow burn story,” she explained. “We don’t want to have a microwave story, we want to have an oven story where we take our time with it and have fun and really sink our teeth into it.”
Saraya pointed out the importance of pitching ideas to Tony Khan, emphasizing that the willingness to contribute and collaborate can lead to significant creative input and on-screen opportunities. Using Britt Baker as an example, Saraya acknowledged the impact of consistently pitching ideas, which has resulted in Baker frequently featuring in prominent storylines. This approach has now influenced other members of the women’s locker room, yielding positive outcomes for talents like Jade Cargill and Taya Valkyrie.
For those who might be hesitant about approaching Tony Khan directly, Saraya highlighted the valuable support offered by veterans such as Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho. These experienced wrestlers are always willing to help workshop ideas and offer their input, ultimately contributing to a vibrant creative exchange within the company.
With such a wealth of experienced minds in the AEW locker room, Saraya emphasized how this collaborative process opens doors to more storytelling possibilities, adding depth and richness to the show for both the roster and the fans.
“The wonderful thing is that you have Jericho and Moxley,” she said. “If you ask them to help you out, maybe they’ll come in with us to talk to Tony. [Then] we’ll all have a conversation. Tony’s always very receptive. You just have to ask. If he doesn’t want to do a certain idea, he’ll just be like, ‘I love it, but I want to do this this week and maybe we can do that next week or the week after.’ It really helps to pitch the idea to Moxley and Jericho to see if they like it … in case we [wasting] our time.”
In conclusion, Saraya’s discussion about AEW’s collaborative creative process sheds light on the promotion’s distinctive approach, fostering an environment where talents can contribute their ideas and shape their characters. The promotion’s willingness to listen to its performers and explore diverse storytelling avenues can undoubtedly lead to engaging and enjoyable content for fans and talent alike.
For more news and information about AEW
Read: “CM Punk is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time” – Matt Hardy
Read: “MJF will not have a lot of freedom in WWE” – Chris Jericho
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