AJ Lee retained the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Bayley on Monday Night Raw, but what came after the match may have been even more memorable. Both women took to social media to share deeply personal tributes to each other, turning a title match into a moment that resonated far beyond the result.
Bayley went first, reflecting on how a conversation with AJ in 2013 fundamentally shaped her career. “If I never had the conversation with AJ back in 2013 where she told me to stay true to who I am, I don’t know if I would’ve made it this far. I don’t even know if I would’ve made it past my first month in NXT.” She described losing the match as painful but called sharing the ring again “the magic,” adding with characteristic humor: “I texted her earlier and said I didn’t want to send a novel. Because I was embarrassed and here I am.”
AJ Lee Calls Bayley Her Favorite Wrestler and Asks for a Rematch
AJ responded in kind, going all in on her appreciation for her opponent. “You are my favorite wrestler. That was my dream match, and this is the kindest thing anyone’s ever said about me.” She called Bayley the GOAT and credited her with leading “the kindest/funniest/most talented locker room” before signing off with a birthday wish: a rematch.
