On-screen character development is an aspect of professional wrestling and sports entertainment that doesn’t get talked about enough. It is always intriguing to see how performers re-create themselves as new characters, especially when they do it just as their current character gets stale. “Hangman” Adam Page and Chris Jericho are two examples of stars who know how to make shifts in their presentation in ways that build interest and fan support. In WWE, it looks like Bayley is going through the same in what should be an entertaining run at this point in her career.
For the last few weeks, Bayley has been seen in vignettes where she’s debating with herself about the success and struggles she’s faced in her career. It looks like she is at an impasse of sorts, as her heel and babyface personas jockey for control. Regardless of who Bayley has portrayed on screen, her fan following wants nothing but success for her, and she’s obtained quite a bit during her time in WWE. Still, she hasn’t had the best of luck lately, and seeing how this plays out will be interesting to watch unfold.
There have been hints that Bayley is going to return to her “hugger” gimmick. Just a few weeks ago, her inner voice outright asked if she “needs a hug.” Yet, this isn’t the same performer who won the NXT Women’s Championship and tore down the house with Sasha Banks. A decade has passed since that iconic match, and Bayley has changed a lot since then. It will be interesting to see how she plays on the idea of going through a character crisis while trying to “connect” with fans with those same old high-fives and hugs.
Speculation about Bayley’s next phase is an example of what makes sports entertainment and professional wrestling fun. The women’s roster on Monday Night Raw is thriving, and this will add another important angle outside the title picture to the mix. If anyone can pull it off, it is everyone’s favorite “Aunt Pam.”