The wrestling world got a raw glimpse into Bayley’s emotional state as she returned to Monday Night Raw on June 9, breaking her silence about one of the most devastating moments in her career. After being brutally attacked before WrestleMania 41, the former champion found herself watching from the sidelines as the biggest wrestling event of the year unfolded without her.
The Attack That Changed Everything
What seemed like a random backstage assault ahead of WrestleMania 41’s opening night has since revealed itself as part of a calculated plan. Sources indicated that Bayley’s replacement had been orchestrated weeks in advance, adding another layer of betrayal to an already painful situation.
The wrestling community rallied around Bayley when news broke of her absence from the showcase of the immortals. Fans understood the magnitude of missing such a career-defining moment, especially for a performer of her caliber.
Raw Emotion: Bayley’s Candid Confession
During her appearance on the Raw Recap, Bayley’s vulnerability was on full display as she addressed her WrestleMania absence for the first time publicly. The emotional weight of the situation was evident in her voice.
“I was honestly like pretty emotional coming into work today and knowing that I was coming out here to talk about it. Because I just haven’t talked to anybody about it, and what like I truly felt and how it made me feel to miss that, that show.”
Her words painted a picture of someone who had been carrying this burden privately, finally ready to share the depth of her disappointment with the WWE Universe.
More Than Just Another Match
Bayley emphasized that while she doesn’t compete solely for marquee moments, WrestleMania holds special significance in any wrestler’s career timeline. The limited opportunities to perform on such a grand stage make each absence feel magnified.
“We only get so many of those in our career, and I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of WrestleManias under my belt, doing a little bit of everything, all kinds of different matches and hosting WrestleMania, but this one I was really excited for to be back in the tag division after having a pretty good run and that gauntlet match with Lyra is something that I was really looking forward to.”
The Championship Match That Never Was
Originally, the WrestleMania card featured Bayley teaming with rising star Lyra Valkyria in a bid for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. This partnership represented Bayley’s return to tag team competition after her successful singles championship reign.
When Bayley was forced out due to the attack, Becky Lynch stepped in as Valkyria’s replacement partner. The duo successfully captured the gold, but their celebration was short-lived when Lynch turned on her partner in a shocking post-match assault.
The revelation that Lynch was behind Bayley’s original attack added a deeply personal element to what had initially appeared to be a random incident.
Betrayal Cuts Deep: Lynch’s Transformation
Perhaps the most painful aspect of this entire saga for Bayley isn’t the missed opportunity, but the identity of her attacker. The history between Bayley and Lynch runs deep, making the betrayal particularly stinging.
“So to be taken out of it by somebody that I’ve known since the beginning and somebody that I’ve really grown up with on this path and on this journey, like just to see how she’s changed, how Becky’s changed throughout these years is just, it’s annoying and it’s disgusting that she has to go to these lengths to get ahead.”
This wasn’t just an attack from a rival – it was a betrayal from someone Bayley considered part of her wrestling family. The two stars have shared parallel journeys through WWE’s ranks, making Lynch’s actions feel like a fundamental violation of their shared history.
Finding Fire in the Ashes
While the attack and subsequent betrayal devastated Bayley initially, she’s discovered an unexpected silver lining. The experience has reignited a competitive fire that she admits had been dimming during her previous championship run.
“I think that it’s really sounds cheesy, but for sure, like definitely lit a fire under me and something that I was missing, even in my title reign, my last title reign, I think there was something missing. I think it’s good to have this chip on my shoulder now and to be able to talk about it and to be able to freaking fight from it and to be able to have something to fight for.”
This newfound motivation could prove dangerous for Lynch, who now holds the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship and will face Bayley on the June 23 episode of Raw.
The Road to Redemption
The upcoming clash between Bayley and Lynch represents more than just another Monday night match. For Bayley, it’s her first competition since April 14, 2025, making it a highly anticipated return to action after months on the sidelines.
Lynch’s current reign as Women’s Intercontinental Champion adds championship stakes to what’s already a deeply personal rivalry. The psychological warfare has already begun, with Lynch’s calculated attack and subsequent title victory serving as the ultimate mind games.
As these two former allies prepare for battle, the wrestling world waits to see if Bayley’s renewed fire can overcome Lynch’s current championship momentum. Will this betrayal ultimately fuel Bayley’s greatest comeback story, or has Lynch successfully eliminated her biggest threat to continued dominance?
