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Paige And Alberto Del Rio: Their Personal Lives Are None Of Our Business As Wrestling Fans

By Lorenzo Tanos
Published on: 09:15 PST, Oct 23, 2016

The wrestling world has probably had more than its fill of Paige and Alberto Del Rio news and rumors. Is it time for us to leave them alone, let them enjoy their privacy, and let them deal with any “personal demons” they may have with as little scrutiny as possible? This writer believes it’s high time we did.

Over the weekend, wrestling journalists Justin LaBar and Josh Isenberg took part in WrestleZone‘s Chair Shot Reality (CSR) segment, engaging in a live debate that covered several topics, including the real-life relationship of Alberto and Paige. Talking about the countless reports we’ve heard about the two over the past few months, Isenberg had some choice words to say about the relationship, and why he feels it’s getting far more attention than it deserves.

“The only reason it’s relevant is marks on the internet want to hype Paige as their girl. It’s because she doesn’t look (like) some of the other girls like Charlotte or Dana Brooke, or these other beautiful, amazing-looking women, and she has this Gothic thing that for whatever reason fans connect to. I’m so sick and tired of hearing this. If I wanted to see this and hear this, I’d watch Total Bellas but (I don’t). I don’t care about Paige or Del Rio. Why is this relevant in the wrestling world? Why do people that even we work for think this story is so big and important it needs all this publicity?”

Let’s admit it –- a lot of wrestling fans have wanted to live vicariously through Alberto Del Rio since news of his relationship with Paige became public. Many fans also expressed their disappointment that one of the most beautiful women in professional wrestling had found a new boyfriend so quickly, let alone one who is 15 years her senior. But does it really matter that this is, in the eyes of many, a May-December relationship? It’s not like Alberto is in the same age range as someone like Hulk Hogan or Ric Flair, and even if he was, who are we to object if two adults we most likely don’t know personally are in love with each other?

Indeed, Paige and Alberto Del Rio have a significant age gap, and that’s been a key talking point for a lot of the “Internet Wrestling Community” (IWC) members. But another contention that’s often been raised is the suggestion that Alberto has been a bad influence on his younger girlfriend, what with Paige having been suspended twice for Wellness Policy violations in the span of two months. It’s as simple as this – if she does have a drug problem, as some fans have suggested, then she should get help. If it’s all been a mistake on WWE’s part, then she should fight for what’s right while trying to remaining professional.

Regarding reports, including this one from Wrestling Inc, that suggest Paige’s father, Ricky Knight, apparently doesn’t like Del Rio as a potential husband for his daughter, that’s his prerogative, and it doesn’t deserve to be blown out of proportion by fans as if it was breaking news. Further, a lot of dads tend to be skeptical or distrustful of their daughters’ boyfriends, and it’s been that way for time immemorial.

In the WrestleZone debate, LaBar countered by saying Paige/Alberto Del Rio news reports matter due to his belief that Paige is going through a “rebellious phase” like an average teenager would, and that these purported cases of her acting out will be something fans can look back on years down the road. Fair enough. But Isenberg fired back with his own argument, saying that instances of young women rebelling and dating much older men is something that “happens all the time.” In short, there’s nothing remarkable about it at all, even if Paige is 24, and definitely no longer a teenager.

To set the record straight, this writer has nothing against wrestling journalists writing about the often-controversial couple, as long as the requisite sources are there. But as I see it, Isenberg’s words should be heeded most by fans who see Saraya-Jade Bevis (Paige’s real name) as their “manic pixie dream girl” who may one day show them fun and adventure outside their world of wrestling fandom. Harsh words they may be, but it’s time to get over it – Paige and Alberto Del Rio are a couple in love, and there are many far more important, less personal things to be concerned about as a wrestling fan.

[Featured Image by @trendsonweb / Twitter]

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