Former Champion Returns At WWE SummerSlam 2022, Forms New Faction

After over a year off WWE TV, Bayley made her return at last night's SummerSlam premium live event. Not just that, but the Role Model was joined by Dakota Kai and Io Shirai.

Following Bianca Belair retaining her Raw Women's Title against Becky Lynch in a barnburner of a match, Bayley made her way out to confront the EST. As the one-time Hugger stopped halfway down the entranceway of Nashville's Nissan Stadium, Kai's music hit and she headed down to join Bayley. From there, Io's music started and she headed out to join the duo.

This trio then stepped between the ropes and stared down Belair, who herself was joined by Becky Lynch. Seemingly turning babyface, Big Time Becks stood at Bianca's side and encouraged the three heels to 'bring it'. This itself came on the back of Lynch giving Belair a post-match handshake and hug.

.@itsBayleyWWE is back and it looks like she came with some backup ?#SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/6jrDeLkvcY

— WWE (@WWE) July 31, 2022

For Io Shirai, she's undergone a slight name change as she heads to the main roster. As noted on commentary, Shirai is now going by the name IYO SKY, presented in all capitals. Having not been seen since NXT Stand & Deliver during WrestleMania Weekend - where she came up short in a four-way bout for Mandy Rose's NXT Women's Title - there had been recent speculation that SKY was getting set to depart WWE and return to Japan.

As for Dakota Kai, the Captain of Team Kick was released by WWE on 29 April after reportedly informing company officials that she was not planning to renew her WWE contract. Prior to that, the New Zealander had competed in several dark matches and WWE Main Event contests as management pondered calling her up to Raw or SmackDown.

Where Bayley is concerned, she's been on the sidelines for a year after suffering an ACL tear during mandatory Performance Center training for all talent ahead of WWE returning to touring following the Thunderdome Era.