Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view is likely to be remembered as the night MJF finally breaks into the world title category. The Elite is also set to return and as a host of other critical title matches to help make the pay-per-view stand out, and there is one other immensely important match on the card.
Dr. Britt Baker is scheduled to meet Saraya in the payoff to an old-school wrestling feud, albeit one flavored with an evolved form of storytelling. Saraya—best known across the wrestling world as Paige—arrived in AEW with a mission to elevate the women’s division to new heights. She has been opposed by Baker, the long-standing face of the division. Even though Baker plays the role of villain, there are extra layers at play considering she is one of AEW’s originals while Saraya is an outsider from WWE.
“It’s so progressive for our division,” Baker says. “It’s a story-driven match. It’s a very compelling story, and the match is going to be even more exciting.”
In order for the women’s division to grow, there need to be highlighted matches that extend beyond the title picture. That is the case here, and it is one of the many elements that resonates with this bout. There is also intrigue that connects to Saraya’s return. While Baker hasn’t had a singles match since the end of August, Saraya has not wrestled in over five years. It was widely assumed her neck injuries would prevent her from ever again performing in the ring. Yet she has received clearance from her medical team to return to active wrestling, bringing significant intrigue to this encounter.
“She’s been out of the game for five years,” Baker says. “That’s a long time. For all our differences, we have one thing in common—wrestling is our life. We’re going to wrestle like our lives depend on it.”
Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Baker discussed the opportunity to wrestle Saraya in her return match at Full Gear.
Sports Illustrated: You came close to wrestling Amy “Lita” Dumas in AEW before she returned to WWE, but a match against Saraya is a phenomenal opportunity.
Britt Baker: I’ve worked really, really hard to get where I am. I have a sink or swim mentality, and I’m always going to swim. I’ve worked so hard for AEW. I want people to think of me when they think of the company, and I want to keep reaching new heights.
SI: It’s interesting that you and MJF are both in highlighted matches at Full Gear, as you’ve both become major pieces for AEW. Neither of you were preordained as stars, and you even lost plenty of matches in the early stages before breaking out as one of AEW’s biggest stars.
BB: I lost all the time in my first year. When I was first a contender for the title, I needed to improve my record on Dark. It’s incredibly frustrating when people think I was handed this. I worked my ass off for this. Nothing was handed to me. I was the first female signed in AEW, and I’ve been under a microscope ever since. I’ve been open to the criticism that came from that, and I’ve become a better wrestler and a better promo to get where I am today—and I’m still working to be better.
SI: This is an opportunity to bring the best out of Saraya in her return match. It is quite an honor, considering she has been out of the ring for five years and will need a seasoned veteran to ensure this match reaches the heights it should.
BB: I don’t take this opportunity lightly. It is a challenge I welcome. Saraya is a star. She’s one of the best wrestlers in the world. Not everyone knows Britt Baker. Having a match with a star of her caliber is the next step I need in my career. I feel similar to the way I did before the “Lights Out” match against Thunder Rosa. I knew the match had to be excellent. I’m in that position again, and I’m ready to deliver.
SI: Given the nature of her neck injury, are you worried about her limitations?
BB: She’s cleared. By this point, her neck is probably better than mine. At first, I was really concerned. Working around someone’s neck is very daunting. But she’s cleared, and we’re going to wrestle.
SI: This is your first singles match since late August.
BB: I’ve done so many tag matches, and we’ve been building to this match. I’m ready to make this great.
SI: As you have evolved into a top star, what has been the most challenging part of the job?
BB: The hardest part of professional wrestling is finding yourself in the ring and believing every word you say. That’s harder than any move. When you come through the curtain, you need to ooze confidence and personality. That’s what fans get behind. It’s so much character work.
I take a lot of pride in being the first female signed in AEW, and I am working day-in and day-out to be the best representation of AEW I can be. I really stuck with it, and practiced really hard with Chris Jericho, Cody [Rhodes], Kenny [Omega] and Tony [Khan].
SI: I noticed you didn’t mention Adam Cole’s name. [Ed. note: Baker and Cole have been in a relationship since 2017.]
BB: At the time, he was so busy in NXT. Granted, I always run everything by him. Even last week, we talked about ideas. But forming the Dr. Britt character, he wasn’t here yet in AEW.
SI: This is such a critical match for the growth of the women’s division. What should people expect when you lock up in the ring with Saraya at Full Gear?
BB: You’re going to see two extremely passionate professional wrestlers fighting like their lives depend on it. We both need to win this match to get to the next point in our career. And when wrestling is your life, like it is for us, that’s what makes this life or death.
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Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
