10 Risks That Could’ve KILLED WWE Careers

8. Bayley Changes…Everything!

Becky Lynch Seth Rollins Risk
WWE.com

Fans had turned on Bayley's 'girl next door' act long before she cut her hair, popped her inflatable tube men "buddies" and started acting ice cold. WWE had gone for the sympathy vote mid-injury, but Bayley's babyface promo was a painful (and harsh) lesson to her: She needed change.

That change was nonetheless risky.

There was always a chance crowds might've barked, 'We wanted change...but not like that!' at WWE creative and turned their backs on Bayley as a character forever. Instead, something remarkable happened. Her confidence grew, and she exhibited some of the same swagger Becky Lynch had when she went from smiling baby to nWo cool renegade the prior year.

Looking back, all WWE did was turn Bayley into a more generic women's wrestler than she'd been before. However, by cutting back on the add-ons like her side ponytail, the "Bayley buddies" and sickeningly sweet, almost apologetic promos, the promotion rescued Bayley from creative no-man's land.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.