On Saturday night, Bayley punched her ticket to WrestleMania XL by outlasting 29 other Superstars in the 2024 WWE Women’s Royal Rumble match.
On a recent edition of the “Under The Ring” podcast, Bayley discussed her experience in WWE NXT, the advice she got from “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and more.
Bayley wrestled on the NXT brand for about four years before getting called up to the main roster in 2016.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On getting advice from Austin: “He called me and we talked for like an hour and that was literally like the same night that I messaged him, and he told me all these things, basically about being more aggressive. It’s okay to be the good guy and get people behind you, but when you’re in the ring you really want to turn that aggressiveness in on your opponent, and gauge in and focus on them more so than the fans at certain points in the match.’”
On what she learned in NXT: “I really learned how to be a leader then. It was awesome. I don’t think without that year I’d be able to be who I am today to the full level like starting a faction or being able to help these girls come to Raw and SmackDown for the first time. Just having the experience that I had in NXT, I felt confident to help them and guide them in the right direction whether it’s behind the scenes or in the ring.”
Bayley Reflects on Her WWE Journey and Advice from “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Bayley, one of the prominent female wrestlers in WWE, recently secured her spot in WrestleMania XL by winning the 2024 WWE Women’s Royal Rumble match. In a recent interview on the “Under The Ring” podcast, Bayley opened up about her experience in WWE NXT, the valuable advice she received from legendary wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and her growth as a leader in the industry.
Before making her way to the main roster in 2016, Bayley spent approximately four years wrestling on the NXT brand. This period played a crucial role in shaping her career and preparing her for the challenges that awaited her on the main stage. Reflecting on her time in NXT, Bayley expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating that it taught her how to be a leader.
During her tenure in NXT, Bayley learned valuable lessons that have helped her become the wrestler she is today. She emphasized the importance of being a leader and how it has empowered her to start a faction and guide newcomers to Raw and SmackDown. Bayley’s experience in NXT has given her the confidence to provide guidance both behind the scenes and inside the ring.
One of the highlights of Bayley’s journey was receiving advice from WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. She revealed that Austin reached out to her after she messaged him, and they had an hour-long conversation. Austin’s advice centered around being more aggressive in the ring while still maintaining her likable persona. He emphasized the need to focus on her opponent during matches and channel her aggressiveness towards them rather than solely catering to the fans.
Bayley’s conversation with Austin left a lasting impact on her approach to wrestling. It allowed her to strike a balance between being a fan favorite and a fierce competitor inside the ring. The advice she received from Austin has undoubtedly contributed to her success and helped her evolve as a performer.
As Bayley continues to make waves in the WWE Women’s division, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring wrestlers. Her experience in NXT and the guidance she received from legends like Steve Austin have shaped her into a well-rounded athlete and leader. With her recent victory in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, Bayley has solidified her place in WrestleMania XL, and fans eagerly await her next chapter in the WWE.