Top WWE Star Set For Gimmick Change? (WWE News)

This week's WWE Raw featured a rather interesting vignette which showed Bayley battling with her current standing in the company. The popular babyface veteran could be heard pondering whether or not she's even making sense when internally complaining about where her career has headed in 2025. Typically for WWE, the skit was well-produced and snappy.

Midway through, Bayley reminisced about her prior achievements and title wins in WWE, but the voice inside her head (unrelated to Randy Orton's voices, for the record!) called her a "loser", but then said: "Listen to me" and offered a solution. Confused and conflicted, Bayley said she didn't really know what she needed or where to go next.

That's when the voice offered a quick: "Need a hug?".

This is a clear message that Bayley will soon return to her old hugger gimmick. That previously saw great success in NXT and turned her into one of the brightest stars in the women's division on the main roster. Then, fans grew tired of the 'girl next door' character and forced change in 2019; Bayley memorably switched up her gimmick during SmackDown's early knockings on FOX by cutting her hair and destroying her inflatable "Bayley Buddies".

Those might be on the comeback trail in 2025 though. It's been obvious to anybody analysing her career that Bayley has needed something dramatic for a while. Indeed, WWE has even turned her peripheral status into a storyline by having the legacy star question her place on the modern WWE roster.

Opinion: Bayley Hasn't Been The Same Since WrestleMania 40

WrestleMania 40 was a highlight for Bayley. There, she defeated former Damage CTRL associate IYO SKY in a fun match to become the brand new Women's Champion. The match was excellent, well-paced and went over well with the live crowd in Philadelphia. At home, millions watched Bayley have her 'Mania moment and hold gold high above her head with a beaming smile.

It was heartwarming, but the subsequent title reign itself wasn't anything to write home about. Bayley held the belt until SummerSlam in August 2024 - her 4 month run was ended by Nia Jax, and...not many shed tears. WWE hadn't done much to capitalise on Bayley's departure from Damage CTRL and 'Mania title success.

She's been on the slide as a character ever since.

Now, a full year after dropping the title to Jax at SummerSlam 2024, Bayley looks set for a major shift. Triple H looks likely to go back to the past with her and see if that'll reignite her career. Fingers crossed, because she definitely has lots left to offer.