The Real Reason Bayley Invaded WWE NXT

Bayley's Full Sail University invasion was part of a bigger plan.

Bayley Shayna Baszler
WWE.com

Bayley, one of the most revered performers in NXT history, mounted a sensational return to Full Sail University on this Wednesday's episode of WWE's most critically acclaimed brand, striking Shayna Baszler with a steel chair while 'The Queen Of Spades' congratulated WarGames teammates Io Shirai, Bianca Belair, and Kay Lee Ray.

While the reason behind this black and gold invasion seems simple on the surface (Bayley is currently set to face Baszler and Becky Lynch in a Survivor Series Triple Threat), there's more to it.

Per Dave Meltzer on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Bayley showed up in Winter Park, Florida not only to advance the Survivor Series programme, but because WWE wants to create the idea that main roster shows could potentially show up on Wednesday nights, without warning, every single week.

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If true, that's a smart, smart move from WWE. NXT has now been thwarted by AEW Dynamite seven consecutive times in the so-called Wednesday Night Wars. Creating an exciting, anything-can-happen buzz around the product could be key in making up lost ground and potentially overtaking the upstart Elite promotion, so it'll be interesting to see who else might show up.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.