During the main event of Saturday Night, Bayley received enthusiastic applause from the fans, proving that she wasn’t the only WWE star honored for their dedication, alongside John Cena. On the night of Cena’s retirement, Bayley stepped into the ring against NXT talent Sol Luka, showcasing her role model status.
Bayley and Luka delivered an exciting match, with Bayley, a former NXT Women’s North American Champion, securing a win via rollup. The 26-year-old Luka earned the biggest victory of his career in a hard-fought contest. Following the bout, the competitors shook hands, later joined by their allies Lyra Valkyria and Zarya, who paid tribute to the retiring Cena. However, fans online showered Bayley with praise for her ongoing contributions to the future of the women’s division.
One fan commented, “Bayley has done so much for the future of women’s wrestling, and I have so much respect for her.” Another admirer wrote, “She made Sol Luka look like the most electrifying young wrestler, highlighting all her signature moves and securing the pin while the world watched. I love Bayley. She’s incredible.” A third fan added, “I will never stop commending Bayley. She is a cornerstone of the women’s division.”
Throughout the year, Bayley has nurtured young talent like Lyra Valkyria, who recently lost her feud with Becky Lynch for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Bayley has mentored many rising stars and had her eye on Roxanne Perez before she moved to the main roster. Her in-ring skills have also been widely acclaimed.
“There’s no woman in WWE better than Bayley at crafting matches that highlight her opponent’s strengths. Her storytelling is exceptional—she’s a legend,” said one fan. Another noted, “Bayley has always aimed to dominate but loves contributing selflessly to women’s wrestling.” On a night when Cena aimed to showcase his business legacy, it was Bayley who graciously took the loss to elevate Luka’s standing, truly living up to her role model reputation.
Cody Rhodes recently praised Bayley’s influence backstage, calling her a key leader in the locker room. Speaking on Jazzys World TV last December, he said, “People don’t realize Bayley is probably the real leader in the locker room right now. Like the captain with the ‘C’ on a jersey, it’s probably her and Randy Orton. When something needs to get done – like stopping lateness or boosting energy – she’s the one who steps up. That’s how a leader should be.”
Bayley has consistently been present at significant moments in Gorilla Position, including CM Punk’s return at Survivor Series in November 2023. Her positive attitude and leadership role are vital to WWE’s culture and will continue to strengthen the women’s division going forward.
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Fan Take: Bayley’s ongoing commitment to elevating emerging talent and leading backstage makes her indispensable to WWE’s future. Her ability to blend mentorship with in-ring excellence not only inspires fans but also ensures the women’s division thrives for years to come.
