Stephanie McMahon applauds WWE star Bayley for ‘leadership and sacrifice’

Bayley caught the attention of Stephanie McMahon with her Lodestone Women 2025 seminar.

On X/Twitter today, McMahon sent out a message applauding Bayley for her leadership and sacrifice. The WWE star held a free seminar in Orlando over the weekend for up-and-coming women’s wrestlers. The three-day camp included visits from WWE competitors Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Natalya, and Lyra Valkyria — and John Cena even showed up to spend a day with the attendees.

“Thank YOU for your leadership and sacrifice @itsBayleyWWE! And for helping mentor and grow the next generation of female wrestlers!,” McMahon tweeted. “@JohnCena showed up, as did everyone else, because of the opportunity YOU created (and mostly paid for out of your own pocket). The future is in excellent hands #Lodestone2025”

The seminar was open to women outside of WWE who already have experience wrestling on the indies. Bayley selected the attendees from a group of applicants and paid for all expenses aside from travel. The “Lodestone” name refers to a magnetite that some believe helps with attraction and manifestation.

Cena attended the last day of the camp, which was a 10-match card that the attendees participated in.

Bayley’s long-term goal is opening her own wrestling school. Whenever her career in the ring ends, she could be interested in continuing her time with WWE in a behind-the-scenes position like producing.

After the conclusion of the Lodestone seminar, Bayley appeared on Raw last night and accompanied Valkyria for a match against Roxanne Perez. Interference by Liv Morgan helped Perez get the victory.

John Cena sends message to Bayley after spending day at Lodestones camp

John Cena has sent a message to Bayley

Cena attended Bayley’s recent training seminar in Orlando, Florida, taking notes on matches performed and offering one-on-one advice to each wrestler. He is said to have spent eight hours at the camp on Saturday.

Bayley thanked Cena in a social media post yesterday. On Sunday, Cena responded:

“Pam, you had asked me a while ago how you could help ‘the business’. You have created something that does exactly that. A collaborative environment with the purpose of making everyone in the room better than they were yesterday. Attitude is infectious, the attitude you’ve created allowed me to be better than I was yesterday. Thank you for all you do. Thanks to the entire group of incredible individuals. It was my honor to be invited into the room.”

Brie Coda, the former Elayna Black/Cora Jade, also responded to a post about Bayley’s camp, saying that the wrestling world is lucky to have her.

“The wrestling world is lucky to have @itsBayleyWWE ❤️ Her passion, selflessness and love for wrestling/the future of it inspires me and is truly something special. Everyone should learn something from her #ROLEMODEL”

Bayley’s women’s-only seminar ran from December 4 to 6 in Orlando. It was free to attend but spots were limited to invites only. Lyra Valkyria, Rhea Ripley, Natalya, Tyler Breeze and several others also helped at the camp.

Both Bayley and Cena have matches scheduled for next week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC. Cena will wrestle his retirement match against Gunther, while Bayley is set to face Sol Ruca.

Their social media posts are below:


John Cena spends day at Bayley’s Lodestone women’s wrestling camp

John Cena is spending part of his last week as an active wrestler by doing a lot of high-profile interviews and spending time with the future of the business.

Bayley posted on social media Saturday that the soon-to-be retired megastar spent a “legit eight hours” at her multi-day inaugural Lodestone women’s wrestling seminar/camp that she is covering the costs for.

Thus far, WWE wrestlers like Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Natalya and Lyra Valkyria have taken part in sharing their wisdom.

Enter Cena who spent his Saturday watching ten matches over his eight hours. Our Bryan Alvarez reported that Cena brought a notepad, took notes on all the matches and then met with every wrestler individually to give them personal advice.

From Bayley’s post on X (seen below):

“No conversation or piece of advice could’ve impacted me the way he did today, by just showing up. Not just for me, but for each person in that room. This meant the world. I’ll always strive to be what John was today. THE GOAT.”

Cena will step into the ring for the final time this Saturday against Gunther on Saturday Night’s Main Event from Washington, DC.

Bayley posts footage from day one of training seminar

Bayley has been sharing videos of her training seminar.

The WWE star is holding a multi-day seminar in Orlando, Florida for female wrestlers that began on Thursday. She labeled the post, “LODESTONE DAY 1” and included the caption:

“‘Lodestone manifestation uses the natural magnetism of lodestone (a magnetic form of magnetite) to attract desired outcomes like wealth, love, or success, acting as a powerful magnet for intentions’”

Bayley appeared on WWE SmackDown last night in a segment that set up her match against Sol Ruca at Saturday Night’s Main Event next week in Washington. Gabby Forza, who is attending Bayley’s seminar wrote the following in response to a clip of Bayley from Friday’s show:

“SHES JUST BUILT DIFFERENT!!!💪
Trained us from 6am-10:30am then hopped on a plane to show up on everyone’s TV’s tonight!!!
LEGEND! 👑💗 #LodestoneWomen”

Bayley has also thanked Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Natalya, Rhea Ripley, and Lyra Valkyrie for assisting with the camp.

Bayley’s videos and social media posts are below:

Bayley recalls ‘rough’ WWE WrestleMania 41 situation

Bayley claims she was ‘bummed’ after removed from the WWE WrestleMania 41 card.

Earlier this year, Bayley was involved in a tag-team storyline with Lyra Valkyria heading into WrestleMania 41. However, just days before the PLE, the angle was abruptly dropped and Bayley was pulled from the card. Now, months later, while speaking on the latest episode of the Six Feet Under podcast, the former champion reflected on the situation and described it as ‘tough’.

It’s a test, I feel like every time I get thrown stuff, I’m just being tested, not by the company, the universe, and the world are trying to test me. It was rough; it was a little bittersweet,” Bayley continued. “I became really close with Lyra [Valkyria] in real life, and so, like, I was super excited for her to have her first WrestleMania, but it was also like, man, I was told this was where we were going. Okay, I’m going to be in this storyline and tag team with this girl I don’t even know.”

Despite their limited chemistry and lack of tag-team experience together, the pair made it work and became one of the most popular women’s teams on the roster. However, just days before the PLE, Bayley learned she was being pulled from the match.

Holy, we are like a good team. I felt genuinely connected with her, and she is like one of the girls who grew up loving wrestling, is a huge fan, and she is so good, and that had a lot to do with it,” she recalled. “Then, when I was told what was happening, I was like, ‘Oh, now I’m bummed.’ For one, I’m not on WrestleMania, but for two, like we put all this work in and I really tried to make us look like a team, so that it’s believable when we get to WrestleMania.”

Following Bayley’s removal from WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, Becky Lynch replaced her. However, just days after Lynch’s return and alliance with Valkyria, she soon turned her back on her.

Bayley recalls speaking to CM Punk following the setback

In the same interview, Bayley reflected on her conversation with CM Punk following the ‘rough’ WrestleMania 41 setback.

“It was rough, but it becoming a part of a storyline and it becoming what it is now made it a little bit nicer. I don’t even know how to say it. It was rough, it’s definitely one of those times where I’m like, I had a long conversation with [CM] Punk about it, a lot of people that were reaching out. You know, everybody has been in these positions.”

In the same interview, Bayley also opened up about her future WWE plans.

Bayley discusses interest in future WWE behind-the-scenes role

Becoming a WWE producer in the future is something that interests Bayley.

A new episode of Six Feet Under debuted on Wednesday with The Undertaker and Michelle McCool interviewing Bayley. On the podcast, the former WWE Women’s Champion addressed whether she would be interested in working in creative or becoming a producer whenever her in-ring career ends. Bayley — who would like to open her own wrestling school someday — said she’s tried out doing some producing in the past. It’s a hard job, but Bayley thinks she would enjoy continuing to work with her friends even after her days in the ring are over.

“I don’t know if creative-wise if I would be in the writers’ room or anything good like that. But maybe like producing, I would enjoy that. [On the Monday before the podcast was recorded], I sat for the girls’ match with the headset. And I’ve done it a few times, I’ve produced stuff in NXT,” Bayley said. “It’s very hard, and I don’t know if I’d be a good producer right now. I see myself more as like a coach or if I were to open a school, you know, coaching and stuff, it’s very different than producing.

“But then when I think, okay, however much longer I’m going to be wrestling, like, there’s still all the girls that I want to see them grow in their career. I feel like Roxanne [Perez], she’s 23. Like, okay, if I could be a producer and be around and producing your match, that would be awesome. So I have that, like, okay, maybe I should try to learn how to do that better so I can be around and be part of it and just wear another hat. But I don’t know about creative-wise or in the writers’ room. I think that sounds scary.”

Bayley is set to hold a free three-day seminar in Orlando, Florida this week. The seminar attendees were selected by Bayley from a group of applicants who already had prior wrestling experience.

Bayley discusses her upcoming seminar, long-term goal of opening wrestling school

Bayley discussed wanting to open a wrestling school someday, the stages of her career, and more during an appearance on The Nikki & Brie Show, released on Monday.

During the conversation, she spoke about running her first seminar next month and how that will be her first step into potentially one day running her own school, something she has mentioned previously as the plan for her post in-ring career.

“I’ve always pictured myself continuing on with wrestling and wanting to open a school someday and I’ll be running a seminar next month to kind of wet my feet in that stuff,” she said to Nikki Bella on the podcast.

Bayley’s seminar runs from December 4-6 in Orlando, Florida. The spaces were limited to those with experience and there is no fee to attend.

In terms of projects outside of wrestling, Bayley says she’s having a harder time determining what she wants to do.

Bayley continued:

Non-wrestling stuff is kind of a little bit harder for me because this is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m open to all possibilities. I’m just accepting everything that comes my way.”

“There’s one thing that I’ve learned recently is to say yes to more things even if it’s just going out and hanging out with people that I normally wouldn’t just because you never know what’s going to happen or who you’ll meet. So I’m just trying to be more open.”

Also during her appearance on the show, Bayley discussed the stages of her career, referring to her Hugger character as the toddler ages of her career, her main roster debut as her teenage years, and then her run with Damage CTRL as her becoming an adult.

Bayley said of her Hugger character, “I was so excited to be there. I was so excited to work with all my heroes and meet them and stuff. I see those as like my little kid years.”

“Then as I started growing and got on the main roster, I was like the teenager that became bratty and then I was causing trouble and thought I was hot stuff. And then I came back with Damage CTRL with Dakota and Iyo where that was more of, okay, I’m in my adult age. Now I’m here to help others and now I’m here to put others on the map.”

Also during the interview, Bayley discussed her recent program with Lyra Valkyria, being a locker room mentor, and more. The full episode is available below:

Daily Update: Bayley, Ariel Helwani, TNA Impact lineup

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Tatum Paxley vs. Jacy Jayne NXT Women’s Championship match from Gold Rush week one.
  • A video aired on NXT hyping the arrival of WWE LFG season two winner Shiloh Hill.
  • On the Battleground podcast, Tatum Paxley was asked how she reacts when fans on social media call for her to be brought up to the main roster:
    • Whenever my time comes to be on Raw or SmackDown, I trust when Triple H sees the perfect time – I trust in his decision entirely. You know, I’m in no rush to get to Raw or SmackDown. But I’m super excited to be there.
    • But I’m super comfortable here in NXT as well. I just know, wherever I am, I’m going to try to connect to that audience.
  • Bayley made an appearance as a guest trainer at the Chicago Wrestling Center, where former WWE wrestler Mustafa Ali is the head instructor.
  • Charlotte Flair congratulated Maxxine Dupri on her Women’s Intercontinental title win: “At @FlatbacksT I saw firsthand the work, the growth, and the passion she poured into chasing her dreams. Congratulations, champ @maxxinedupri so damn proud & happy for you!”
  • WWE shared a brief video of CM Punk and Rhea Ripley reacting to Dupri’s victory.
  • Sony Pictures posted a photo today giving a first look at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and the rest of the cast for the next Jumanji movie. The film, which is the third and final installment in the rebooted Jumanji franchise, recently began production. It’s scheduled for a Christmas 2026 release.
  • Bill Apter interviewed WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus.
  • The Undertaker appeared on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football today, discussing his Dallas Cowboys fandom.

Other Wrestling

  • Ariel Helwani commented on his interview with Tony Khan: “If you would have asked me in 2023 who’s the one guest I’d never see in studio, it would prob would have been @TonyKhan. Massive respect for him for coming in & even greater respect for how he handled today. Enjoyed the chat very much. Hope we can all be friends now, AEW fans.”
  • Khan responded to Helwani: “Thank you for having me on your show, I appreciate you inviting me + giving me that tremendous opportunity to promote Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite Tomorrow night + #AEWCollision and #AEWFullGear this Saturday night! You and your staff were very kind hosts!”
  • During the Helwani interview, Khan mentioned that AEW brings in Chris Nowinski every year to talk to the roster about head injuries and safety.
  • Nowinski posted a tweet calling the annual visit an honor: “It’s a privilege and honor to share my concussion experience, CTE research & @ConcussionLF HelpLine with my former colleagues to help them stay safe in the ring. Thanks @AEW & @TonyKhan for the annual invitation.”
  • Dustin Rhodes listed his 11 favorite wrestlers of all time:
    • Dusty Rhodes
    • Barry Windham
    • Arn Anderson
    • Steve Austin
    • Kenta Kobashi
    • Bobby Eaton
    • Dean Malenko
    • Rick Rude
    • William Regal
    • Terry Funk
    • Cody Rhodes
  • Here is the announced TNA Impact lineup for this Thursday:
    • We’ll hear from Mike Santana
    • Four-way match: Xia Brookside vs. Victoria Crawford vs. Killer Kelly vs. Jody Threat (winner advances to number one contender’s match in two weeks)
    • Four-way match: Dani Luna vs. Indi Hartwell vs. Rosemary vs. Myla Grace (winner advances to number one contender’s match in two weeks)
    • Matt Cardona vs. Mance Warner
    • Myron Reed vs. John Skyler
  • NJPW’s English-language website posted an interview with IWGP Tag Team Champions OSKAR & Yuto-Ice.
  • Nic Nemeth vs. Cedric Alexander will take place at the WrestleCade SuperShow in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on November 29.
  • House of Glory uploaded Nic Nemeth vs. Amazing Red and Shotzi & Scarlett Bordeaux vs. Allie Katch & Priscilla Kelly from its Superclash event.
  • Gail Kim will be a guest at GCW’s Fan Slam convention this Saturday at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
  • Leilani Kai was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.

WWE announces title match for Raw

The Monday, October 27 edition of WWE Raw will include a Women’s Tag Team Championship match.

WWE revealed during Friday’s SmackDown that Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair will put their Women’s Tag Team titles on the line on Raw against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria.

Bayley issued a challenge for the match on social media on Friday, with the match officially announced later on:

Also set for Monday’s show, the top contenders for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship will go face-to-face, as a segment with CM Punk and Jey Uso going head-to-head has also been announced for the show. Those two will go one-on-one for the World title vacated by Seth Rollins on Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1.

Also announced, Nikki Bella and Roxanne Perez will square off on Raw. Bella saved Stephanie Vaquer from a two-on-one attack at the hands of Perez and Raquel Rodriguez on the most recent Raw episode.

The lineup for Monday’s show:

WWE Raw, Monday, October 27 —

  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defend against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
  • CM Punk and Jey Uso face-to-face
  • Nikki Bella vs. Roxanne Perez

Wrestling Weekly: WWE Crown Jewel predictions, thoughts on AEW Title Tuesday

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WWE star Bayley launching ‘passion project’ to help women’s wrestlers

WWE star Bayley is launching a new initiative to give back to the industry and help other women’s wrestlers improve.

On social media today, Bayley revealed that she will be holding a free three-day seminar for women’s wrestlers in Orlando, Florida from December 4-6. There are limited spaces available and the seminar is only open to wrestlers who already have experience. Bayley asked interested applicants to email her at “[email protected]” — with Bayley telling them to send basic info and some of their past matches.

“I am very excited to share with you a passion project that I’ve been thinking about for a long time now, and I’m finally just going to go ahead and do it,” Bayley said. “I’m going to be running a free three-day, all-women’s wrestling seminar on December 4, 5, and 6 in Orlando, Florida for experienced women only.

“And, yes, I said free, which means all you gotta do is get yourself from wherever you live to Orlando, Florida. You don’t have to worry about accommodations or transportation to and from the seminar. I will be taking care of that. But there are limited spaces available, and you do have to be approved by your Role Model.”

While this is her first time doing this, Bayley said she hopes to hold more free seminars in the future.

Bayley has mentioned that opening a wrestling school is a dream of hers, and she would like to do that while still an active wrestler. She is a multi-time former champion for WWE and a respected leader in the locker room.

In her current WWE storyline, we’ve seen Bayley question her confidence and identity amid teases of turning heel.

Mercedes Mone reflects on NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 10-year anniversary

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone says her match with Bayley at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn in 2015 forever changed the landscape of women’s wrestling.

Mone reflected on the 10-year anniversary of the match in the latest edition of Mone Mag, writing:

This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of a match; it’s a celebration of a pivotal moment that forever changed the landscape of women’s wrestling.

“Happy 10th anniversary to the match that altered the course of my life and the trajectory of women’s wrestling! I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to my wrestling soulmate, Bayley. Thank you for being my partner in this journey—both in and out of the ring. The bond we share is unlike any other, and I can’t imagine navigating this incredible business without you. You have challenged me, inspired me, and, most importantly, stood by me. Together, we changed the game.”

Mone continued:

Bayley and I took risks that night—pushing boundaries that had never been crossed by women in North America before. We didn’t even share half of our ideas with our trainers because we were too scared that they’d tell us no. But we believed in what we were doing and knew that we had a chance to make history.

At the time of NXT TakeOver Brooklyn, Mone had been on the WWE main roster for a month, having debuted as a member of Team Bad in July 2015. She returned to NXT that October and again wrestled Bayley, this time in the challenger role for the NXT Women’s Championship. Bayley defeated Mone at NXT TakeOver Respect three falls to two in a 30-minute Ironwoman Match.

Bayley was two years into her run as The Hugger gimmick when she faced Mone at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. She first adopted the character in 2013 and kept it until turning heel in October 2019. Last night on WWE Raw, Bayley slipped back into the gimmick briefly during an in-ring segment with Lyra Valkyria. Our own Bryan Alvarez noted in his report on the show that Bayley’s inflatable tube men are set to return.

WWE Raw notes: Nikki Bella, El Hijo del Vikingo, Bayley

Notes from Monday’s WWE Raw which featured Nikki Bella’s return, El Hijo del Vikingo, plus a new character teased for Bayley.

Nikki Bella’s return —

The WWE Hall of Famer made her return to Raw after missing last week’s episode in saving Natalya and Maxxine Dupri from a post-match attack at the hands of Becky Lynch.

After Lynch defeated Natalya in a Women’s IC title match, she refused to let go of the Disarmher on Natalya. Dupri attempted to save, but Lynch quickly did away with her. Bella then ran in and laid out Lynch.

Bella challenged Lynch to an IC title match in her last appearance on the August 4 Raw, but that bout has yet to be confirmed.

Later on Raw in an interview with Byron Saxton, Bella revealed that she will be at Raw next week in Birmingham, England.

El Hijo del Vikingo —

AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo made an appearance on Monday’s show in an angle to build to his title defense against Dominik Mysterio at Worlds Collide on September 12.

Mysterio was ringside for Finn Balor and JD McDonagh vs. Dragon Lee and Mr. Iguana on Raw. After Balor and McDonagh’s win, Mysterio cleared the announce table and threatened to put Lee through it. Vikingo ran in for the momentary save, but ended up overwhelmed by The Judgment Day, with Mysterio nailing him with a frog splash.

Bayley —

The latest in a series of vignettes teasing a new character for Bayley aired during Monday’s episode.

Bayley’s inner monologue was heard speaking to her and calling her out in some sort of split personality gimmick.

Becky Lynch gets new theme music, wins WWE SummerSlam title match

Becky Lynch is still the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion — and Lyra Valkyria is out of chances to challenge her for the title.

The two Irish women met in a no DQ match at SummerSlam night two on Sunday. With help from an accidental assist from Bayley, Lynch pinned Valkyria to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The result means that, because of a stipulation Valkyria agreed to, she cannot challenge for the title again while Lynch is still champion.

Bayley got involved in tonight’s match to help Valkyria, saving her from a crowbar shot that Lynch was about to deliver. But a miscommunication at the end of the bout resulted in Lynch retaining. Bayley went to strike Lynch with a chain, but Lynch moved out of the way and she hit Valkyria instead. Lynch then followed up with a Manhandle Slam on Valkyria for the win.

Bayley has been involved in the Lynch-Valkyria story for months, dating back to when an attack by Lynch prevented her from competing at WrestleMania. There was a triple threat for the Women’s IC title at Evolution in July where Lynch retained over Bayley and Valkyria. Valkyria then defeated Bayley in a number one contender’s match to earn this SummerSlam title shot.

For much of tonight’s match, Valkyria was at a disadvantage after Lynch zip-tied her hands together. She fought through that, even delivering a moonsault at one point. Valkyria was finally able to break the ties, but Lynch regained the advantage by sending her into an exposed turnbuckle and hitting a Manhandle Slam through two chairs.

Lynch’s victory gives her a 2-1 record over Valkyria in the three singles matches they’ve had this year. She won the Women’s IC title from Valkyria at Money in the Bank back in June.

Tonight also marked a change for Lynch, with her replacing her longtime Celtic Invasion theme music with a new song by pop-punk band The Wonder Years.

Bayley: WWE Evolution 2 was ‘reminiscent of the early NXT days for me’

To Bayley, WWE Evolution 2 felt like a throwback to the early days of NXT.

Bayley opened the action at Sunday’s PLE, coming up short in a triple threat match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The loss did nothing to put a damper on the night for Bayley, though. She reflected on the show in a tweet today and thanked everyone who showed up in person or watched at home.

“I cannot explain the feeling in the arena last night but it was reminiscent of the early NXT days for me,” Bayley wrote. “Some kind of magic and so full of love. Thank you to every person that showed up in support, and thank you all for watching. This picture [of fans showing their support in the parking lot] sums up my night.”

Yesterday’s Evolution PLE took place on the 10-year anniversary of Four Horsewomen Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch being called up to the WWE main roster. Bayley stayed in NXT a bit longer than her three peers and was not called up until 2016.

Lynch retained the Women’s Intercontinental title last night by defeating Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Bayley had the match all but won after hitting a Rose Plant on Valkyria, but Lynch then pinned Bayley to get the victory.

This show was the follow-up to the inaugural Evolution from 2018. At the post-show press conference, Paul “Triple H” Levesque answered “we shall see” when asked if Evolution will become an annual event.

“I don’t want to say it’s yearly, it’s not yearly. I think we see what that demand is for it,” Levesque said. “Because as the demand for the women grows across the board every day, it becomes less about having their own show and more about…the equality, it’s all there. They don’t have to have their show to be in the spotlight. But if it works, we’ll definitely go down that road again. It’s a ‘we shall see.'”