WWE news: Paige reveals what happened backstage after announcing her retirement

The British grappler’s career came to an end last year at a live event at the Nassau Coliseum in New York after suffering a stinger.

It all occurred when Sasha Banks landed a hard double-leg kick to the back of her head and neck during a non-televised match.

After months of speculation the ex-Divas Champion announced last April that she is not cleared to compete again.

According to Give Me Sport, the 25-year-old received an emotional reception backstage following her heartbreaking announcement and also got a warm embrace from Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

She told Edge and Christian’s podcast E&C’s Pod of Awesomeness: “I didn’t tell many people that I was going to retire.

“But when I saw you [Edge], I had to do the speech so it was perfect and asked if I could speak with you whenever you had a moment before I had to go out there.

“When people saw me afterwards – it was really hard afterwards because I was on the stage and I was thinking, ‘Oh my God. This is it. Closure.’

“Then I came back into the curtain and people were crying and I was like, you guys are making this so much worse.

“I said to myself that I got this, and that I am good, but then I went to the back and Stephanie [McMahon] grabbed me and hugged me for the longest time, which was lovely. And then Vince [McMahon] and Hunter [Triple H].

“I felt like I died or something, like, ‘Oh, she was such a good person.’ I was like, ‘Guys, I didn’t die! I’m still here!’”

Paige was presented as Smackdown’s newest General Manager the next night by Shane McMahon.