Bayley Debuts On WWE Raw
Former NXT Women's Champion stakes a claim on Charlotte's title.
Monday's Raw played host to one of the most anticipated debuts in recent memory as, at long last, former NXT Women's Champion Bayley arrived on the main roster.
Bayley's debut came just 24 hours after Charlotte won the WWE Women's Championship from Sasha Banks, beginning her second reign with the belt. The switch - which was a major surprise - was precipitated by an injury to Banks that will require her to miss ring time.
Charlotte and protege Dana Brooke made a celebratory speech on Raw, with Brooke trying to start a "You deserve it!" chant and the champion touting her accomplishment. They were interrupted by Raw General Manager Mick Foley, who revealed that he had just signed a major free agent. The Brooklyn crowd expected Bayley to appear and, sure enough, she came out onto the stage to a huge ovation.
Bayley wasn't interested in disrespecting her former friend, but she made it perfectly clear that she was after Charlotte's title. The Women's Champion ducked the challenge, instead setting up a match between Bayley and a reluctant Brooke. Bayley won the bout with a Bayley-to-Belly suplex, though there was no immediate announcement of a title match.
Bayley finished a three-and-a-half year run on NXT on Saturday evening, losing to Asuka in a title match at TakeOver: Brooklyn II. Following the bout, fans chanted "Thank you" to the emotional star, seemingly closing her tenure with the brand.