Bayley on Sasha Banks: ‘We’ll Always Be Destined for One More Match’

“This year is going to be the one that defines my career. It will define who I am and what I’ve brought to the wrestling industry.”

Three of the Four Horsewomen have headlined a WrestleMania.

The one exception, at least for now, is Bayley.

But with WrestleMania 40 only months away, that could certainly change.

“Only a few people believe it will happen,” said Bayley, discussing her goal of headlining WrestleMania. “But everyone will believe it soon.”

If Bayley wins next week’s Royal Rumble, then a whole new world of possibilities will open. The most likely of those is that she could challenge fellow Damage CTRL partner Iyo Sky for the WWE women’s championship at WrestleMania 40, though there are other options, including a four-way with Bayley, Sky, Asuka, and Kairi Sane.

Courtesy WWE

If she is not already signed with a different company, there is no better opponent for Bayley than Sasha Banks. The two forever changed the industry with their cutting-edge classic at TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015, then left a lasting mark on the pandemic era of pro wrestling in 2020 with their Hell in a Cell match in the ThunderDome.

“We’ll always be destined for one more match,” said Bayley, who attended a red-carpet premiere for the upcoming film Self Reliance with Banks–Mercedes Varnado–last week, as well as were spotted together in Vegas watching Trinity defend her championship against Jordynne Grace in the co-main event of TNA Wrestling’s Hard to Kill pay-per-view. “Our next match will never be our last. We’re ‘The Brooklyn Girls’. We’re going to live on forever because of that match, and it’s something we can carry on forever.”

Women supporting women is my favorite.

I may have won the title, but don’t think @TheTrinity_Fatu can ever really lose with friends like these in her corner. pic.twitter.com/2vlJBSO2zE

— Jordynne Grace (@JordynneGrace) January 15, 2024

Bayley tore her ACL in the summer of 2021. Similar to Steve Austin following his neck injury, when he shifted from a more scientific wrestler to a brawler, Bayley has evolved her style. The unbridled passion embedded in her work is clearly visible, adding an entirely different element to her performances.

“I love wrestling,” said Bayley. “That’s what pushes for me to keep going. And I ground myself by being with even better people. That’s what I did with Iyo and Dakota.”

One of WWE’s locker room leaders, Bayley plays a villain on-screen yet is an advocate for her peers behind the scenes. She has also helped elevate Sky and Kai by including them in Damage CTRL, sharing her spotlight to shine a bright light on two incredibly talented pro wrestlers.

“Damage CTRL, it’s worked out for the best for all of us,” said Bayley. “And there is still more we can do together.”

Courtesy WWE

Only 34, Bayley–who is California native Pam Martinez–has yet to even hit her prime. Despite all her past brilliance, she is just now beginning to enter a whole new tier of greatness in the ring and on the microphone.

“I’m very proud of my body of work,” said Bayley. “I’ve done things I never thought I’d be able to do. And once you accomplish a goal, it adds another. Bringing in Damage-CTRL has given me more goals.

“I haven’t done everything yet. In my opinion, there is still a lot left to get done and I have to make sure it gets done.”

Dynamic as a heel, Bayley is able to capture her role so extraordinarily well because of her past experiences as a babyface. She spent the first 11 years of her career as a fan favorite, winning over the wrestling fan base with her combination of charisma, heart, and passion. That understanding of what makes a babyface flourish has led to exceptional moments as a heel, a realm where she continues to thrive.

“My character changes have always aligned with how I feel in my life and with how my character is developing,” said Bayley. “The Hugger stuff, people watched me grow up. There was a real connection there. Fans became like family.

“When my character did start to change, it was like my family watched me turn into a bratty teenager going through a rough patch. I wouldn’t have had the connection to do that without my time as The Hugger.”

Courtesy WWE

Bayley’s contributions to pro wrestling will not go unnoticed. She is part of WWE’s backbone, and hungry to showcase even more layers of her versatile skill set.

“All my experience, especially after going through the [ACL] injury, the pressure of having new girls rely on you, that’s a lot of pressure, but it made me feel ready for everything,” said Bayley. “This year is going to be the one that defines my career. It will define who I am and what I’ve brought to the wrestling industry.”

And as for Sasha Banks, Bayley remained confident that, at some point, there will be another match between the two.

“I don’t have chemistry in the ring with anyone else like I do with her,” said Bayley. “No one teaches me like her. She’s my [Michael] Jordan.”

The shared chemistry makes their work resonate, both as friends and especially as rivals. Bayley joked that their competitive rivalry will be eternal, perhaps continuing onto shuffleboard courts in Florida when they are senior citizens.

“I’ll beat her at that every time,” said Bayley. “I can beat her at most games like that. But when it comes to wrestling, it’s 50-50.”