The efforts of Paige and Emma in WWE NXT helped change ‘Road Dogg’ Jesse James’ attitude towards women’s wrestling.
The two Superstars were a fundamental part of WWE NXT when the show relaunched in 2012 and faced off to crown the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion, a match Paige won.
During his “Oh You Didn’t Know” podcast, James recalled having an unfavorable view of women’s wrestling until he saw Page and Emma. He said,
“Watching her and Emma wrestle one time was the first time I really understood and got [women’s wrestling]. I don’t know, maybe it’s just sexism, but I never liked women’s wrestling.
“When I saw them wrestle — the effort they put forth, the athleticism and psychology they put into it, totally changed my mind right then and there on women’s wrestling.”
Years later, James would be the lead writer on SmackDown and said that he was a major advocate for Paige being made General Manager of the blue brand.
Emma continues to wrestle for WWE after returning in 2022 while Paige signed with AEW last year and now competes as Saraya.
