Bayley being back on the September 7, 2026 episode of WWE RAW might make it look like all the questions about her WWE future have been answered, but there’s still some uncertainty over what exactly she has signed. Meanwhile, AEW apparently hadn’t given up hope of getting a chance to make its own pitch.
Speaking during the post-RAW show, Sean Ross Sapp addressed Bayley’s contract status after her surprise return on September 7. Sapp noted the huge reaction she received before responding to viewers who naturally assumed her return meant she had officially re-signed.
“But Bayley’s back and attacks Lyra, and she got a great reaction, incredible reaction. So, here’s the full rundown on that.”
There is definitely belief within WWE that Bayley is staying. Sapp said he spoke with a WWE wrestler around two weeks ago who believed she had already re-signed, but he stressed that he still hadn’t been able to confirm that himself.
“Pro Wrestling Insider, PWInsider, reported that there’s a belief that Bayley is staying with WWE. I spoke to a wrestler two weeks ago that believes she re-signed with WWE, but none of that was confirmed yet.”
AEW was apparently watching the situation from the other side. Sapp said the company didn’t necessarily have information confirming that Bayley had re-signed and had been hoping it would at least get the opportunity to make a play for her.
“I can tell you AEW doesn’t necessarily have that information yet, and they definitely had high hopes that they would at least be able to make a play for Bayley.”
That interest didn’t suddenly appear because Bayley disappeared from television either. It was reported back in July that her potential free agency had been discussed within AEW for close to a year, with the company expected to pursue her if she actually became available.
For now, Bayley is very much back in WWE’s plans. She returned during Lyra Valkyria’s Money in the Bank qualifier against Sol Ruca and Maxxine Dupri, pulling the referee out of the ring just as Valkyria appeared to have the match won. Ruca capitalized with the Sol Snatcher and qualified for Money in the Bank before Bayley attacked Valkyria after the bell.
Bayley’s return puts her right back into one of RAW’s biggest women’s storylines, but the contract question hasn’t completely disappeared just yet. WWE clearly has plans for her again, while AEW’s interest shows there could have been another major option waiting if she became available.
Do you think Bayley made the right call if she has re-signed with WWE, or would you have liked to see what she could do in AEW? Let us know in the comments.
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