M Punk just tossed more gasoline on the speculation surrounding Bayley’s WWE future.
On July 25, 2026, Punk posted a photo to his Instagram Stories showing Bayley’s entrance graphic on the giant screen inside a WWE arena. Bayley could be seen standing alone at the end of the entrance ramp, but Punk did not include any caption or explanation.
The timing immediately got people talking. Questions about Bayley’s WWE status have been growing since she lost clean to Lyra Valkyria at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Lyra then drove Bayley into the steel steps with the Nightwing and left her lying at ringside. Lyra followed that up on Raw by making it sound like Bayley was already gone.
“I ran Bayley out of here.”
Bayley was also removed from WWE’s advertised SummerSlam Prospect Tryout VIP Experience and replaced by Ivy Nile. WWE never explained the change. There was even backstage talk before Saturday Night’s Main Event that Bayley’s match against Lyra could be her final appearance at Madison Square Garden.
Punk’s Instagram post does not confirm Bayley is leaving WWE, staying with the company or returning to television anytime soon. It could simply be a friend showing support during a difficult stretch. Still, posting Bayley’s entrance with no context while her future is under a microscope was always going to get fans asking questions.
What do you think CM Punk was trying to say with his Bayley Instagram Story? Leave your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
