Will Bayley Re-Sign With WWE Or Leave To Join AEW?

WWE/AEW

One of the biggest stories to watch in the world of pro wrestling over the next few months will be the status of former WWE Women’s Champion Bayley.

Bayley’s contract with WWE is reportedly set to expire at the end of 2026, with a lot of speculation about her future among all sides of the wrestling fandom.

At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Lyra Valkyria defeated Bayley in their rivalry match, with a post-match attack that many believed could have served as the write off for the four-time World Champion.

As speculation will only ramp up from here on out, the question will be asked of what decision Bayley should make at the end of the year.

Bayley Has Become WWE’s Unsung Hero

Signing with WWE back in December 2012, it’s hard to imagine that 23 year old Davina Rose knew exactly what was in store for her over the coming years, signing at a time when women’s wrestling was considered an afterthought in WWE.

During the early years of NXT black and gold, women’s wrestling in WWE was considered an afterthought on the main roster, but quickly became THE attraction in NXT, thanks to the next generation of women, starting with Paige and Emma, before exploding with the Four Horsewomen.

While Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Bayley have all achieved a lot of success in the company, in many ways Bayley has become an unsung hero, with her often being looked at as the fourth name of the Horsewomen among fans.

After winning the Royal Rumble match and WWE Women’s Championship in 2024, Bayley has found herself settling into a utility player role on the main roster, which doesn’t really seem like it would change should she stick around.

What Is Left For Bayley To Accomplish In WWE?

In terms of straight up accolades, Bayley has already done all there is to do in WWE, winning both World Championships on two occasions, becoming one half of the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions, winning the NXT Championship, Money In The Bank and the Royal Rumble.

However, Bayley’s value to WWE is higher than whatever her kayfabe accomplishments would be going forward, as the Raw women’s division is in desperate need of more established names to help work with the younger women coming up from NXT.

With Bayley running her Lodestone academy to help train future women’s wrestlers, she has already proven to be a much needed veteran to help guide women to greatness.

With Raw’s current division paper thin, losing a name like Bayley would be a much bigger blow behind the scenes than it arguably would from an on screen storyline perspective.

Bayley also adds some credibility to the WWE women’s roster, with her legendary career helping add more star power to a division as it will hopefully continue to grow even bigger in 2027 and beyond.

Creating History Once Again With Mercedes Mone In AEW

On the flipside, while Bayley’s value to WWE is both on and off screen, her value to AEW would be largely what it was in the early years of the Four Horsewomen; helping really establish the AEW women’s division.

While AEW’s women’s division is also jam packed with talent, the division still sometimes feels like it isn’t given as much attention as it should, with women in AEW still yet to have a pay-per-view main event under their belt.

Mercedes Mone’s arrival in AEW and the incredible rise of Toni Storm have added star power to the division, with them both being undeniable pillars of AEW television, which in turns helps boost the rest of the division.

With Mercedes Mone and Bayley’s friendship being rather public, if Bayley arrived in AEW, the company would almost certainly immediately play off their long history together, which would be one of the biggest stories in not just the women’s division, but AEW as a whole.

Should Bayley move to AEW, it’s almost certain that her and Mercedes would end up facing for the Women’s World Championship in the company’s first women’s pay-per-view main event.

A Wide World Of Potential Opponents

As an in-ring performer, Bayley is arguably even better now than she was during her days in NXT, and there are exciting options waiting for her on both sides.

In WWE, Bayley has faced most of the top stars a lot of times, though there are a lot of new faces arriving on the main roster that Bayley has yet to face.

From names like Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer and Jordynne Grace to newer names like Tatum Paxley, Blake Monroe and Jacy Jayne, Bayley still has a lot to give in the ring.

However, AEW’s women’s roster, aside from Mercedes, is almost entirely filled with first-time-ever dream opponents for Bayley.

Bayley has publicly praised Kris Statlander in the past, and the two of them would almost certainly be set for a clash if Bayley signed with AEW.

Bayley would also have the chance to face off with names like Willow Nightingale, Jamie Hayter and Thekla, as well as being able to wrestle outside of the company in CMLL and Stardom, and potentially taking independent dates to face off with her Lodestone students.

What Move Should Bayley Make?

Ultimately, it does not matter to you or I what career move Bayley decides to do, as she will make the move that she feels is best for her and her career.

The next few months will be interesting to keep track of, as Bayley potentially becoming a free agent would arguably be among the biggest women’s free agency in history, at least since Mercedes Mone’s initial WWE departure in 2022.

Bayley has had a legendary career regardless of what move she makes at the end of the year, and should continue to be treated and respected as such.

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• AEW
• wwe
• bayley

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