Bayley made a surprise return on the September 7 episode of Monday Night 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 WWE appearance in months, following speculation about her future as her contract was reported to be nearing its expiration.
Reporting on her deal has been conflicting. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported that Bayley has signed a new contract with WWE. However, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson countered that multiple WWE sources indicated there had been no conversations about a new deal, as she still has time left on her current contract. AEW had reportedly been expected to show interest had she become available.
Elsewhere, AEW reportedly signed former MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion Janai Kai, in what appears likely to be a dual AEW/ROH deal, and TNA aired an episode of iMPACT! featuring two title matches.