Bayley is heading into the March 16th edition of Monday Night Raw on Netflix with a mix of nostalgia, friendship, and championship hunger — and she’s making no secret of how much this moment means to her.
The Role Model earned her shot at the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship by winning a gauntlet match, setting up a title bout against champion AJ Lee. Speaking to Fox News Digital ahead of the match, Bayley reflected on the full-circle nature of the opportunity.
Bayley Reflects on Her History With AJ Lee and What’s at Stake
“Man, it’s so weird,” Bayley said. “I remember 13 years ago, getting that text that I would be wrestling AJ Lee for the Divas Title… and that’s sort of what I feel like now.” She noted that few expected Lee to return at all, let alone become a champion, and that when her friend did come back, simply having her around was enough. “I wasn’t like, ‘I need to have a match with you,’ because I got my match. I just wanted to have my friend around.”
But the sentiment has since shifted. With Grand Slam glory on her mind — she still needs the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, the United States Championship, and a WrestleMania moment — Bayley says she now feels the urgency. “I would love, love, love to win this championship because I have to finish my grand slam role. I gotta get this one.”
She acknowledged the challenge of setting aside emotion for competition: “I kinda have to put aside the nostalgia feeling of it.”
For Lee, Monday’s match will mark her first defense of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship since capturing it at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event by defeating Becky Lynch. Both women have plenty to fight for when Raw rolls into action on March 16th.
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