WWE superstar Bayley has addressed the experience of missing WrestleMania 41 and discussed in detail how her absence from the major event, followed by a dramatic WWE return, has influenced her current focus within the company. The story of Bayley missing WrestleMania 41 and WWE return has stirred emotions among fans and marks a significant turning point in her wrestling journey.
Bayley Opens Up About Missing WrestleMania 41
Bayley was removed from participating in WrestleMania 41 after a backstage attack ahead of the April spectacle. She reappeared on the June 9 episode of WWE Raw, marking her first on-screen involvement in nearly two months. Reports have indicated that Bayley’s absence was planned weeks before the event, a fact that stirred widespread sympathy and concern from the WWE fanbase. Many wondered how this setback would impact Bayley, who has been a key fixture in the company and has cultivated a strong fan following over years of memorable performances.
During her appearance on Raw Recap, Bayley described her thoughts and feelings surrounding her return and being forced to miss the biggest WWE event of the year. She expressed how emotional it felt to address the situation for the first time, noting how difficult it had been to remain silent about her true emotions on missing WrestleMania 41 after years of consistently being part of major matches and high-profile events.
She shared,
“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.”
—Bayley, WWE Superstar
Original Plans and Sudden Changes
Bayley was initially set to compete alongside Lyra Valkyria, with the pair scheduled to challenge Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 41. However, following the attack, Lyra Valkyria joined forces with Becky Lynch instead. The new team went on to win the titles, but in a shocking twist, Lynch betrayed Valkyria and was later revealed as the person behind Bayley’s removal from the tag team match.
This betrayal added further tension to an already dramatic storyline. Bayley, now embroiled in a heated rivalry with Becky Lynch—who is currently the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion—openly discussed her anger and disappointment at being sidelined by someone she once considered a close ally. Bayley reflected on how Becky’s actions made her see her old friend in a new light and reignited her drive as a competitor.
Bayley’s Changed Mindset After Her WWE Return
Bayley explained that missing WrestleMania 41 ignited a renewed sense of purpose in her WWE career. She considered the emotional toll of being replaced, yet acknowledged that the setback has fueled her motivation to fight even harder, both personally and professionally. Addressing her feelings about Becky Lynch, Bayley was clear about the impact of the betrayal on her trust and determination to reclaim her place in WWE’s competitive landscape.
She said,
“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.”
—Bayley, WWE Superstar
Bayley stated that the rivalry has given her something tangible to strive for and that this new sense of challenge is essential for her continued growth as a performer. She noted how even during her last championship reign, there was something missing, and this feud has provided her with fresh motivation.
The Next Chapter: Bayley vs. Becky Lynch
Bayley’s upcoming match on June 23 against Becky Lynch is set to be her first in-ring appearance since April 14, when she last competed on the WWE Raw go-home show before WrestleMania 41. The tension between the two is palpable, especially given their intertwined histories as both allies and rivals over the years. Lynch’s current status as WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion adds extra stakes to the confrontation, and fans are anticipating high drama as Bayley seeks redemption and retribution following her forced absence.
This storyline has heightened emotions and intensity in the women’s division, with both Bayley and Lynch being major figures in WWE. Their upcoming face-off is expected to serve as a pivotal moment not only for the competitors themselves but also for ongoing narratives within WWE programming.
What This Means for Bayley and WWE Fans
Bayley’s candid discussion about missing WrestleMania 41 and WWE return shines a spotlight on the personal toll that sudden changes and betrayals can have even at the highest levels of sports entertainment. Her journey underscores the challenges faced by top athletes, including dealing with professional setbacks, shifting alliances, and regaining lost ground. By addressing her emotions publicly, Bayley has given fans a deeper look into the realities of her path and set the stage for her next chapter.
As anticipation builds for the June 23 WWE Raw match, the focus is on whether Bayley’s renewed drive will translate into victory, or if the feud with Becky Lynch will push both competitors to new heights. The outcome stands to reshape their legacies and add another dramatic twist to the continuing storylines of WWE’s women’s division.
