Paige's top 5 WWE moments before her apparent in-ring return

#2. Paige as SmackDown General Manager

In April 2019, Paige announced her retirement from in-ring competition due to an injury suffered at a WWE house show. It was devastating for Paige, as she hadn't even hit the prime of her career and was still in her twenties.

Paige took to the ring on the April 9th episode of Monday Night RAW to make the announcement. The following night on SmackDown, Shane McMahon appointed her the new on-screen General Manager of the blue brand. It allowed Paige to still make appearances for WWE, and also assist with promoting her Fighting with my Family movie.

Paige spoke with TV Insider to discuss how her role as General Manager came about:

"I actually pitched the idea, too. I knew a few months back that I pretty much wasn’t going to be wrestling anymore, so I was constantly pitching ideas of what I could do. Maybe I could manage someone and be the female Paul Heyman. I was constantly pitching. I think Vince [McMahon] already had the idea to make me general manager. That was his idea." Paige said. (h/t Wrestling Inc.)

The role as General Manager lasted until the end of the year, but Paige built a lot of chemistry with the SmackDown roster. She was also well received by the WWE Universe in the role.