Recently, WWE star Bayley appeared as a special guest on Cody Rhodes’ podcast, “What Do You Wanna Talk About?”. In the episode, Bayley delved into diverse subjects, including the valuable life lessons she garnered from the legendary Dusty Rhodes while beginning her career at WWE NXT. Below, you’ll find key takeaways from their enlightening conversation.
Initially, when Bayley joined WWE, she did not have a distinct character to portray. She explains, “I was recruited into WWE purely as a wrestler. It was my ability in the ring that clinched my position. I entered with the notion that my skills would tide me through, but I realized soon that I needed to add another layer to my persona. Dusty devoted extra time to those of us who needed guidance, enabling us to discover hidden depths within ourselves.”
Dusty’s teaching played an instrumental role in shaping Bayley’s on-screen persona. She shares, “[Dusty] instructed me to embrace the aspects of myself that I was attempting to conceal. He encouraged me to believe in myself and assured me that it was perfectly alright to reveal my vulnerabilities. And so, I decided to embody the ‘superfan’ persona.”
According to Bayley, Dusty had an outstanding ability to identify and draw out the unique qualities in his students. “Dusty was unrelenting in his pursuit to reveal our individual strengths. He ensured that as soon as we recognized our unique traits, so did everyone else around us. He wouldn’t miss a moment when our inner light shined, halting the class to draw attention to our breakthroughs.”
Bayley also credits Dusty for guiding her to stay true to her vision. She recalls her first match where she debuted her character against Alicia Fox. Not sure if WWE would approve of her trademark ponytail, she removed it, thinking, “Now with my hair unleashed, I’m a true Diva.” Upon returning, Dusty was standing at the foot of the stairs and poignantly expressed, “Never let go of your ponytail. Keep it intact.”
Whether you’re an ardent WWE fan or someone keen on understanding the wrestlers’ behind-the-scenes journeys, this candid conversation between Bayley and Cody Rhodes offers fascinating insights.
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