At WWE SummerSlam, Becky Lynch is set to defend the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship in a No Disqualification Match against Lyra Valkyria, capping off a fierce and well-crafted rivalry. Meanwhile, Bayley, the WWE Grand Slam Champion, is quietly positioning herself for a possible heel turn, a development gaining momentum in the highly competitive women’s division. Despite not being slated to compete at SummerSlam, Bayley’s recent behavior and storyline involvement hint at a dramatic shift in her character.
Lyra Valkyria is widely expected to reclaim the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam, but Bayley’s absence from the official match card has led fans and analysts to speculate that a deeper storyline is unfolding. Bayley was previously left out of WrestleMania’s major events due to Becky Lynch’s dominance, fueling tension that now appears ready to boil over. The current direction suggests Bayley’s charming and friendly persona may give way to a more aggressive and self-serving heel character.
Rising Tensions Between Bayley and Lyra Build Heat
On the latest episode of RAW, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria were granted a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title opportunity against Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez despite visible friction between the two. Valkyria had recently defeated Bayley to earn her SummerSlam Intercontinental Championship shot against Lynch, creating a competitive edge to their alliance. Valkyria, however, expressed reluctance to team with Bayley, focusing her attention on the upcoming title match instead.
Adding to the intrigue, Bayley shared a cryptic Instagram post following the tag match, featuring a series of photos from the event accompanied by the subtle caption “lol.” This ambiguous message fueled speculation about Bayley’s true intentions within the storyline. During a dark match at the SmackDown tapings, Bayley openly expressed frustration toward Valkyria for their prior loss and for Bayley’s own lack of a SummerSlam match.
Bayley’s demeanor during that dark match contrasted sharply with her recent babyface portrayal, displaying a more heelish and aggressive attitude while staying within the rules. This performance served as a soft test of audience reactions and may signal a forthcoming full heel turn that would reignite a heated rivalry focused on the Women’s Intercontinental Championship heading into the fall season.
Potential Scenarios for Bayley’s Heel Turn and Feud with Valkyria
Several narrative paths could lead to Bayley formally turning heel against Lyra Valkyria. One plausible scenario is Bayley aiding Valkyria in winning the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam, only to betray her immediately after, shocking fans and setting up a personal, high-stakes feud. This betrayal could establish a new theme of self-interest for Bayley and lay the groundwork for a title rematch at an upcoming event such as Clash in Paris.
Alternatively, Bayley might pursue a title opportunity on the following RAW episode, either under the guise of goodwill or with an assertive demand, signaling a shift in allegiance from friendship to personal ambition. This would highlight Bayley’s changing priorities and her rising ego, emphasizing she is no longer playing the role of a supportive ally but rather a competitor focused solely on her own success.
Bayley’s potential assistance in Valkyria’s SummerSlam victory would also reinforce a hierarchy similar to Becky Lynch’s treatment of Valkyria, with Bayley viewing Valkyria as beneath her. Moreover, a heel Bayley challenging another villain like Lynch over the same title might not make sense, so their storylines are likely to diverge with different alignments.
Lyra Valkyria’s Continued Rise as a Future Main Event Star
Regardless of how the Bayley-Valkyria feud ultimately unfolds, the storyline is expected to further elevate Lyra Valkyria as the face of the next generation in women’s professional wrestling. WWE executive Triple H has shown considerable confidence in Valkyria’s potential as the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, while Becky Lynch’s current heel persona is actively helping build Valkyria’s credibility by treating her as a legitimate threat.
Lyra has consistently impressed fans and critics alike with her in-ring skill and character development, steadily climbing the ranks with a combination of talent and strong storytelling. Rather than pushing her abruptly to the top, WWE is carefully nurturing her ascent with high-profile rivalries and title opportunities. The upcoming feud with Bayley, who has a long history as a trailblazer herself, is likely to bring out new facets of Valkyria’s character and add depth to her growing legacy.
The Role Model Bayley, should she switch to a heel role, would present a compelling antagonist for Valkyria following SummerSlam, creating a dynamic clash between a seasoned veteran and a rapidly rising star. This storyline has the potential to highlight the best of both performers, emphasizing loyalty, betrayal, and competition within the women’s division.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WrestleMania or SummerSlam bigger?
A. SummerSlam is a yearly wrestling show organized by WWE, the biggest company in professional wrestling. It started in 1988. Known as “The Biggest Party of the Summer,” it is considered WWE’s second most important event after WrestleMania.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2025 2 nights?
A. You can now buy individual tickets for SummerSlam’s first-ever two-night event. It will be on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2 nights in 2025?
A. The 38th SummerSlam is planned to happen over two days, on August 2 and 3, 2025. It will occur at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event will feature wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions.
Q. Will John Cena be in SummerSlam 2025?
A. In what is expected to be John Cena’s last SummerSlam, he will face Cody Rhodes again in a Street Fight. The rematch is eagerly awaited since Cena previously beat Rhodes at WrestleMania in April. After that victory, Cena promised to “ruin wrestling” and retire with the championship, claiming he would be the “Last Real Champion.”
