WWE Sees Bayley as a Gatekeeper While Lyra Valkyria Gets the SummerSlam Push

Lyra Valkyria is heading to SummerSlam 2025 to face Becky Lynch once again, but her win on WWE RAW over Bayley is raising eyebrows.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed the outcome of the two-out-of-three falls match that saw Valkyria defeat Bayley to earn the Women’s Intercontinental Title shot. While Lyra’s win moves the story forward, Meltzer offered a blunt comparison when it came to how WWE views Bayley’s current role.

“100% the bigger match is Bayley. But it feels to me that Bayley is kind of the female Sami Zayn — that they see her as someone who is really good, but her role is to lose to the people that they’re really serious about. And for whatever reason, Lyra Valkyria is that person right now.”

Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales then shifted gears to discuss Lyra’s physical transformation, which may be playing a factor in WWE’s decision to spotlight her more prominently.

“Yeah, she’s got — she’s got big old shoulders now too,” Gonzales noted.

“Yeah, yeah,” Meltzer replied. “You can tell she’s been lifting.”

As the conversation continued, Meltzer speculated that WWE might simply be chasing the chemistry both women showed in a previous showdown earlier this year.

“The first one, I thought that match was awesome. And they may just be trying to, you know, recreate that match for, for, you know, SummerSlam.”

Lyra’s momentum appears to be building fast, but Meltzer’s comments about Bayley’s current role suggest WWE sees her as a veteran utility player more than a long-term top act. With SummerSlam now stretching across two nights at MetLife Stadium, WWE is stacking the card—and Lyra vs. Becky is officially locked in.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.