Bayley made a surprise return on the September 7 edition of WWE Raw in Birmingham, Alabama, interfering in a three-way women's Money in the Bank qualifying match and attacking Lyra Valkyria. It was her first appearance on WWE television since losing to Valkyria at the July 18 Saturday Night's Main Event, where a post-match beatdown had seemingly written her off the show.
Following Raw, Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer confirmed that Bayley has signed a new contract with WWE, ending speculation about her future. The 37-year-old is approaching 14 years with the company after debuting in late 2012. She is a four-time women's world champion, a two-time Women's Tag Team champion with Sasha Banks, and a past winner of both Money in the Bank (2019) and the women's Royal Rumble (2024).
Elsewhere on the same broadcast, Liv Morgan retained the Women's World Championship against Stephanie Vaquer, aided by interference from The Judgment Day.