Posted on 3/26/125 by Alan Wojcik
Pop quiz: I want you to name the best female professional
wrestler of the 21st century. Too many to list I am sure. I
can name someone who has been in the wrestling with all of
them SARAYA-JADE BEVIS who competed internationally as
Brittani Knight, in WWE as Paige and now for AEW as herself
Saraya. Her young life has been documented in a feature
film called "Fighting With My Family." But that story
stopped when she won the ladies championship in New Orleans.
She has chosen now to tell the whole story, including things
not seen in the film through her new book HELL IN BOOTS:
GLAMING MY WAY THROUGH NINE LIVES (ECW Press 3/25/25,
$28.99).
If you saw the film and documentary of the same name, much
of this is a repeat for you. But I must warn the reader now
there is almost nothing held back by Saraya in the 272 pages
I've enjoyed reading. There are certain points in the book
where I had to stop and review what I just read to make sure
she said it. As a dad of two daughters, it was hard to read
about sexual abuse that was endured by her and her brother
as young children. Everything about her alcohol and drug
abuse plus recovery steps is covered but not who she was
doing it with. I am guessing the wrestler known as Alberto
Del Rio was omitted to stop possible legal action taken by
him upon publication.
Her time in the wrestling rings of the world is covered but
not in huge detail. I commend Saraya for being bluntly
honest about her injuries and what it took to come back from
a forced retirement in 2018. The infamous hacking of
people's phones is covered and the release of explicit
material is too. How she found out will make you want to hug
her. Her relationships with former WWE wrestler Brad Maddox
and current star Xavier Woods are discussed. If Drew
"Galloway" McIntyre ever reads this, he deserves a medal for
saving Saraya from a predator during her young wrestling
career. Another sad part is reading about her wonderful
romance with musician Ronnie Radke as she recently announced
the relationship has ended.
Her unique family dynamic is greatly covered,. If you
haven't seen the film, Saraya is from a family where her
mom, dad and brother are trained wrestlers and ran a
promotion in England. She covers her other siblings' battle
with mental health and her parents' struggles. I have been
lucky to meet Mom (she worked in America for Shimmer and
Shine) and she is an amazing person when you learn her
upbringing. I am glad Saraya got to tell her story in print
and I hope it inspires people who are going through rough
times like Saraya did. I hope it shows dreams of a small
little girl can come true if you fight for it.
Thanks to Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster for allowing me the
chance to read this. You can buy it 3/25/25 at major
bookstores in person or online. For more work from Alan
Wojcik check out www.Facebook.com/KayfabeWrestlingRadio or
MyNameisWojcik on Twitter/X.