WWE Women’s Champion Bayley has shared insights on her commitment to ensuring the Damage CTRL storyline was effectively conveyed leading up to WrestleMania 40. She revealed her proactive efforts, especially with the inclusion of Asuka and Kairi Sane in Damage CTRL, which heightened tensions and eventually led to her expulsion from the faction after her Royal Rumble victory in 2024.
This expulsion set the stage for her showdown with IYO SKY for the Women’s Title at WrestleMania 40, a match that became a pivotal moment in her career.
Bayley emphasized the importance of the storyline by creating a series of promotional videos for social media. In an interview with Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes, she explained that despite the storyline gaining significant support, there was a sense that it was not fully fleshed out on television.
This motivated her to take matters into her own hands, producing additional content to enrich the narrative and highlight its significance.
Reflecting on her efforts, Bayley mentioned that she felt the storyline had been somewhat rushed once the match was announced. She believed there was more to explore both before and after the match, especially since the narrative took a new turn with the draft that followed.
To ensure the story’s depth was conveyed, she independently arranged to film supplemental material in Austin, Texas, demonstrating her dedication to the craft.
Bayley acknowledged the challenges of securing TV time during the bustling WrestleMania season, noting that it’s a period when airtime is highly competitive. Despite these challenges, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share her story, confident that the narrative would continue to evolve in future years. Her initiative underscored her passion for storytelling and her commitment to her character and the storyline.
Post-WrestleMania, Bayley admitted feeling disappointed with her performance in the match. However, a discussion with wrestling veteran CM Punk provided her with a new perspective, helping her reassess the situation. This conversation highlighted the continuous learning and growth that wrestlers experience, even after significant matches and milestones in their careers.