WWE Women’s Champion Bayley recently sat down with Cody Rhodes during the first episode of his new podcast, titled “What Do You Wanna Talk About?”. In this session, she discussed her feelings about her transition from a fan-favorite, happy-go-lucky character to a heel, revealing her apprehensions with regards to this heel turn.
Here are some notable takeaways from their conversation:
When asked what caused her uneasiness about turning heel, Bayley responded: “Indeed, I was fairly rattled because of the main fear, what if this change doesn’t resonate with the fans? However, I was also in a phase where my previous likable, goofy goodie-two-shoes persona was not having the desired impact. It felt like I was in a predicament – If I don’t give this a shot now, I’ll always be left wondering. As a fan, I’d fostered the ambition to try all character roles. Whether it’s the hero or the villain, being part of a romantic narrative or doing something totally out of the box – I wanted to experience it all. Initially, I had some angst thinking about the potential ‘female Cena’ remarks my new character might draw. Although I consider that a massive compliment, I was also keen on exploring different avenues.”
On whether turning heel was her own choice, Bayley said: “Opting for the baddie persona was completely my call. I felt stagnant in my current role, and when the WWE management endorsed this transition, the timing fell perfectly in place. I even took the bold step of chopping my hair off to fit well with my new role! Luckily, they concurred with my new look too. I’ve had a great experience being that character, but it was truly exhilarating to merge my genuine personality with my on-screen persona. It felt as if I was evolving personally, and sharing this growth journey with the WWE audience seemed like the right thing to do. Though it was a bit daunting initially, in the end, that’s what made it worthwhile.”
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