Bayley has added another layer of intrigue to her evolving character, posting a significant throwback video to her Instagram Story. The clip showed her 2019 heel turn, where she attacked Becky Lynch with a steel chair and aligned with Sasha Banks. The post comes as vignettes have been airing on WWE programming teasing a new gimmick and as speculation continues about her future with the company.
The tease of a darker persona directly connects to her recent on-screen developments. On the August 11th episode of Monday Night Raw, Bayley delivered a promo highlighting her feelings of isolation after a series of high-profile losses. The segment showed her rubbing her ears as if to block out voices, which was followed by distorted audio and a maniacal laugh. A week later, on the August 18th episode of Raw, a backstage segment again depicted her being tormented by voices that mocked her recent failures, including not being booked for WrestleMania 41 or SummerSlam.
This psychological breakdown appears to be the narrative catalyst for her transformation. Her storyline has emphasized a losing streak, including dropping the WWE Women’s Championship to Nia Jax at SummerSlam, and the dissolution of her Damage CTRL faction, leaving her on her own. The recent vignettes have shown Bayley revisiting her past gimmicks, such as “The Hugger,” “Ding Dong Hello,” and “The Role Model,” as voices haunt her.
The potential for a new, complex persona blending these past identities has been a key feature of the storyline. The August 18th segment notably ended with a voice asking her if she wanted a “hug,” a direct reference to her original fan-favorite character. Following these segments, Bayley posted “Ding Dong” on her X account, which many interpreted as a sign of her embracing a villainous side once more.
Adding to the uncertainty is Bayley’s contract status. During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet earlier this year, she confirmed her current WWE contract is set to expire in 2026. Her long-standing ties to Mercedes Moné, formerly Sasha Banks in WWE, have also contributed to discussions about a potential exit from the promotion. For now, the social media blackout and cryptic posts suggest a significant on-screen shift is imminent.