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Paige plans to bring back her signature PTO (Paige Tap Out) submission move following her triumphant return to WWE at WrestleMania 42 on April 18, 2026. The former two-time Divas Champion made the announcement through social media interaction after fan requests, signaling the imminent comeback of one of professional wrestling’s most devastating submission finishers. Since replacing an injured Nikki Bella and winning the Women’s Tag Team Championship with Brie Bella, Paige has established dominance in tag team competition while hinting at a deeper in-ring arsenal.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Paige returned to WWE after 8 years away on April 18, 2026 at WrestleMania 42
- She won the Women’s Tag Team Championship with Brie Bella in her first match back
- The PTO is a modified Scorpion Cross Lock submission hold perfected by Paige
- Paige was forced into retirement in April 2018 due to a career-threatening neck injury
- She confirmed plans to bring back the PTO move within weeks of her comeback
From Retirement to Championship Gold: The Resurrection of a Legend
Paige’s journey back to WWE represents one of professional wrestling’s most improbable comebacks. After being forced to retire in April 2018 at just 25 years old due to a severe neck injury, the star spent eight years away from in-ring competition. During her forced hiatus, Paige became the youngest WWE Divas Champion in history at age 21 and held the championship twice, establishing herself as a generational talent before catastrophic injury ended her career prematurely.
The medical breakthrough that allowed her return remains a testament to modern sports medicine advances. Paige’s neck received comprehensive evaluation and clearance by WWE medical personnel, enabling her shocking appearance at WrestleMania 42. She replaced the injured Nikki Bella in the Women’s Tag Team Championship match, where she and Brie Bella scored a decisive victory, immediately capturing championship gold on her first match back.
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Paige reveals plans to bring back devastating signature move in WWE comeback
The PTO: A Submission Finisher Like No Other
The PTO (Paige Tap Out) is a specialized submission move that became Paige’s signature finisher throughout her original WWE tenure. The move operates as a modified version of the Scorpion Cross Lock, a submission technique requiring tremendous flexibility and leg strength from the performer. The PTO involves draping the opponent’s arm across the wrestler’s body while applying leg pressure to the opponent’s back and shoulder region, creating immense pain and forcing opponents to surrender.
The championship has remained a central focus for Paige and Brie, with the tandem proving dominant since their WrestleMania 42 victory. Paige confirmed through fan interactions on social media that she will integrate the PTO into her moveset very soon, promising to revive the devastating submission technique that made opponents tap out repeatedly during her first stint.
Current Championship Dominance and Tag Team Success
Since her return, Paige and Brie Bella have compiled an impressive record as Women’s Tag Team Champions. The championship team has successfully defended their titles multiple times, defeating formidable opponents including Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez of The Judgment Day. Their partnership demonstrates exceptional in-ring chemistry and strategic tag team execution.
| Achievement | Details |
| Return Date | April 18, 2026 at WrestleMania 42 |
| Championship Won | Women’s Tag Team Championship (with Brie Bella) |
| Time Away | 8 years (April 2018 – April 2026) |
| Years as Youngest Champion | Age 21 (youngest Divas Champion in history) |
| Original Championship Reigns | 2-time WWE Divas Champion |
| Signature Move | PTO (Paige Tap Out) – Modified Scorpion Cross Lock |
“The PTO is coming back. Fans have been asking for it, and I’m ready to bring it back to WWE. It’s part of who I am as a wrestler.”
— Paige, through social media statement, May 2026
Strategic Implications for Women’s Division Dominance
The reintroduction of the PTO adds a powerful submission option to Paige’s moveset that could significantly impact women’s division matchups. Submission finishers hold distinct psychological advantages in professional wrestling storytelling, allowing for dramatic surrenders and personal feuds built on specific move counters. The PTO’s return suggests Paige may be preparing for elevated singles competition beyond her current tag team responsibilities.
Her successful championship run with Brie Bella has demonstrated that Paige remains a top-tier performer at the highest levels of professional wrestling. The pending introduction of her signature submission move positions her for potential singles championship programs and high-profile individual feuds that could rival her momentum-building period from 2013-2018.
What Does the PTO’s Return Mean for Paige’s Future Direction?
The confirmation that Paige plans to bring back the PTO raises compelling questions about her long-term booking direction at WWE. Will she transition from tag team competition into singles competition for major championships? Could special matches built around submission holds become centerpiece programs? The PTO’s devastating nature suggests WWE creative team may be planning high-impact matches that showcase this finishing move.
Additionally, which prominent women’s wrestlers will first experience the PTO upon its return? The move’s reintroduction provides narrative opportunities for feuds with Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, or other members of The Judgment Day, as well as potential championship programs that capitalize on Paige’s newfound momentum and fan excitement surrounding her comeback.
Sources
- WWE Official – Women’s Tag Team Championship records and match results
- RingSide News – Paige’s PTO comeback confirmation and fan interaction reports
- WWE.com – WrestleMania 42 coverage and post-event interviews
