Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions: Bayley FULL RECAP
Steve Austin welcomes Bayley to The Broken Skull Sessions to discuss her definitive matches and milestones, the ups and downs as well as insight into her recent incredible run, which saw The Role Model become the first-ever WWE Grand Slam Women's Champion. Read the full recap.
Steve welcomes us to the Broken Skulls Sessions and notes that he’s talking to one of the hottest properties in all of Sports Entertainment, his friend, Bayley.
Bayley was humbled that Steve called her his friend.
Stone Cold said he loved the new hairdo and asked about her thoughts on it. Bayley is now used to it because it’s low maintenance. Apparently, everyone in the locker room was in shock while it was being cut.
Steve Austin brings up the PWI Women’s 100 cover with Bayley ranked as number one and congratulates her. Bayley noted that she used to buy that magazine all the time, which Steve noted it’s a shoot and you had to. Bayley had a subscription to WWE magazine but discovered so many new wrestlers by purchasing PWI magazines. Steve noted the ranking was very well deserved.
Stone Cold then throws to a PWI cover photo with himself on the cover to pop them both.
Steve then passed over a Broken Skull IPA for Bayley and the two would cheers and over the PWI cover and an outstanding year. The two put over the beer.
Steve threw to a clip of Bayley cutting a promo on Sasha Banks during the September 11, 2020 edition of SmackDown. This is where she discussed using Sasha Banks, which was arguably her best promo to date. Steve noted that “you looked as serious as a heart attack” and that it was great work. Bayley was mad at herself for making a tiny mistake by referring to herself as “2 Belts Banks.” Steve noted that he stuttered during some of his promos and it doesn’t matter. She got the point across.
Steve then steered the conversation towards her love of professional wrestling with a picture of John Cena flashed on the screen. Bayley would say, “Oh god! Look at my pimples!” Two hours prior to this, I met with Rey Mysterio at a Popeye’s Chicken then my dad took me to meet John Cena. Bayley’s family really supported her.
Bayley started watching wrestling at 10 or 11, but it wasn’t until she saw Lita, Trish, Victoria and Gail Kim when the actualization of wanting to become a professional wrestler became a reality. It was Lita who stood out the most based on her unique look. Steve would agree and note that Lita was “cool, but sexy and badass.” By the time Bayley wanted to become a wrestler at 13, she would attend shows in person and realized that the performers were just actual people.
At a convention, Bayley chatted with Big Time Wrestling about signing up. Once she completed high school at 18, she was allowed to attend wrestling school. Her match transpired 6 months after training, which was frightening since she was the only female in her class.
Bayley doesn’t remember the bumps hurting too severely, but noted the snapmares and suplexes were difficult since she wasn’t correctly planting her feet. Running the ropes was by far the most challenging part since it would cover her body with bruises to the point where her boyfriend couldn’t even hug her.
Serena Deeb was brought up, who is the reigning NWA World Women's Champion. In WWE, Serena was part of the Straight Edge Society and also a trainer at the WWE PC. After leaving WWE, Serena was paired with Bayley as a tag-team partner. Apparently, Serena saw a lot of herself in Bayley and wanted to help. Serena was the person who introduced Bayley to Shimmer.
Steve asked that due to being such a big fan if she picked up more naturally. “Well, I watched Tough Enough a lot.”
A very old photo, which Bayley doesn’t remember, is brought on screen as the two discussed her being signed to WWE Developmental. When being discovered, she received a 3-day tryout in LA. Bayley believes her leadership helped her since she assisted many of the other wrestlers trying out.
Footage from an FCW Promo Class from March 14, 2013, is shown. Bayley admitted that she required so much help with her promos and had no character or personality whatsoever. She was also placed in a separate class for extra sessions. Producers would ask who she was and Bayley would just break down crying.
Steve then asked how the Hugger/Superfan character came to fruition. Steve noted, “That’s who you are. You’re basically a sweetheart.” Dusty was extremely patient and willing to try anything with her. He put her in front of the camera with Summer Rae on the other side and instructed Bayley just to talk to her, talk about her. Do something. Bayley noted it sounded as though she was in love with her since it was complimentary and compared the dynamic to Mickie James being the stalker/superfan to Trish. Bayley pictured herself as Molly Shannon from the movie, Superstar. Dusty loved it and same the producer named Chris.
Steve asked why everything worked so well in NXT and suggested it’s because “you were having such fun with it.” Bayley noted how it came off naturally and built a real connection with the fans, similarly to how Lita created one with her years prior. The tassels came from her love of Macho Man Randy Savage and she had never seen a girl wear them.
Steve brings up the Four Horsewomen of NXT, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and herself. Stone Cold asked who came up with the name and Bayley noted it was Ric Flair. They all took a photo together doing the pose after Ric Flair brought up the name. Joey Styles, who worked for WWE.com years ago interviewed all of them together.
Steve asked how close were you with all of them? Bayley brought up how she was the outcast. Sasha and Charlotte travelled together then Charlotte got close with Becky and they travelled together. Bayley was not specifically close with any of them related to travelling, but they all texted. When they were all together, it was highly professional yet competitive.
In assessing herself, Bayley believed she would be the most consistent of them. She was blown away by Becky and Sasha and marvelled at Charlotte’s athletic abilities.
Stone Cold throws to Sasha Banks and Bayley at NXT: TakeOver Brooklyn and points out how it’s one of his favourite matches. They walk through the match with Steve bringing up how he loves Sasha as a heel. Attacking the hand and putting sympathy on Bayley. Bayley noted, “We wanted to be Stone Cold and the Rock” and how she could wrestle in front of this crowd every night. The two put over the crowd and the false finish. Again, Steve pointed out how it was one of his favourite matches in recent memory.
Steve asked if that match brought her and Sasha closer together, which Bayley confirmed. “We’ll always be married together because of this match.”
Steve asked about Bayley’s thoughts on putting together the 30-minute Iron Woman Match. “I didn’t even know where to begin.” They were both so stressed out and nervous while spending most nights constantly texting each other.
Austin brought up how women’s wrestling is now at the forefront of the industry, which has been traditionally male-dominated.
Bayley’s goal was to have good matches with everyone. When Becky, Charlotte and Sasha left NXT, she was left behind to hold her own and considered the lockerroom leader. At this time, she found herself as a worker while elevating others along with herself.
At first, Bayley was very hard on herself and somewhat upset over not being called up, but believed it was necessary for the purpose of growth.
Bayley had her TakeOver matches with Asuka and she knew the call up was inevitable. Being in Brooklyn, Bayley figured the debut would transpire there given the history of the strong fan support in that city for her. Foley would be the one who brought her. Bayley remembered the crowd and how they were so excited for her.
Steve asked about her first WrestleMania experience. “Man, that was so crazy. I hate four-ways, I hate triple-threats. I was told I was going to retain and didn’t feel ready. I was glad Sasha was in there since she calmed me down.”
Steve asked about WrestleMania 32 and how she stood out in the crowd to take it in. Bayley did this obviously to support Becky, Charlotte and Sasha and felt it came full circle with Lita introducing the new Women’s Championship. Bayley was very proud of them and also felt they paved the way for her by the time she got to the main roster.
Steve believed after WrestleMania 33, Bayley was seemingly flatlining just a little bit and took a downward turn. Footage from Raw on August 7, 2017, is shown. Bayley sustained an injury and while taking the fans for support, they started booing her. Steve praised Bayley for thinking on her feet and addressing the boos. Bayley would react by saying, “Dang, this sucks.” She believed that Toronto didn’t like to support her perhaps believed it was a storyline, but she legitimately separated her shoulder.
Following this, Bayley hurt by the reaction and couldn’t figure out why the crowd didn’t like her anymore. The Hugger character was starting to grow old and tired.
Bayley believed that the bosses at WWE couldn’t see Bayley placed in the position of TLC or Cage matches compared to the opportunities Charlotte, Sasha and Becky were receiving. Instead, she was provided with silly segments or matches to fit her character.
Steve brought up the tag-team championship victory with Sasha. Bayley enjoyed Elimination Chamber matches. It was also one of Bayley’s proudest moments since she and Sasha fought for those titles to be introduced. These matches also allowed for more opportunities for women to be spotlighted
Attention turns to WrestleMania 35 where Bayley and Sasha would lose the titles to the IIconics. To Bayley, she felt her match was just as important as the main event since it was the first time the Women’s Tag-Team Titles were being defended at WrestleMania.
Steve asked about her SmackDown Women’s Championship victory and becoming the first Women’s Grand Slam Champion. Bayley didn’t even put those pieces together until fans tweeted her about it. This moment defeating Charlotte also allowed Bayley to spread her wings without Sasha,
Bayley brought up her match at SummerSlam against Ember Moon and how it played out much different than presented to her. Note: I attended this event live in person and can attest to the fact that the crowd simply wasn’t into this match.
In NXT, the Hugger character resonated with the audience because she believed in it, but while on Raw and SmackDown, she was struggling with “Who am I?” Even though she was the SmackDown Women’s Champion, she didn’t feel like one.
Steve asked if Bayley lost her confidence or if it didn’t feel right. Both replied Bayley. The fear was being left being. Bayley would speak to Vince to ensure everything he wanted was being delivered on her end, which he confirmed.
In terms of the transformation, Bayley felt it was a breaking point. At Hell in a Cell, Bayley lost the championship to Charlotte and was asked to cry, which led her to question how she was supposed to recover from that. Bayley gave creative her ideas and noted that something needed to change and it must be different. Cut the Bayley Buddies, it was time to get rid of everything that wasn’t working anymore.
The footage is shown of Bayley destroying the Bayley Buddies with Michael Cole and Corey Graves speaking about her metamorphosis “It felt like shedding snakeskin and it was a breath of fresh air.” This was an opportunity to start over.
A promo is shown on October 18, 2019, in a segment with Miz TV. Sasha was sitting beside her. This had to be a 180 but also needed to make sense and show the reason for the change. Instead of the Hugger, she became The Role Model. It was so perfect because she could be incredibly cheesy.
Steve complimented Bayley for riding the edge of the lightning bolt perfectly. Bayley brought up wanting to be Eddie Guerrero in 1996 WCW where he would look so miserable. Hate life. Hate all the fans. Once the pandemic hit, she transitioned into more of an obnoxious and annoying character.
Austin asked about the reaction and support of the new character. Bayley brought up TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) and how produces the majority of the women’s matches. Bayley praised him as a wrestling genius since he is so well studied.
Steve asked that after 12 years, who does she lean upon for that advice? Bayley noted it was Sasha she goes to for opinions. TJ helps her in all aspects while Sasha is particularly great with psychology. At this stage, Bayley really depends on herself, which led Steve to smile and wholeheartedly agree, which you could tell was the answer he was seeking. Austin pointed out that you need to listen to your gut.
They flash forward to the summer of 2020 and asked this timeframe where Bayley and Sasha were paired together rejuvenated them. Bayley would say, “Yeah, I think so.” Being heels, they fed off each other better than their first title reign.
Steve asked what Sasha means to her on a business and personal level. Because even though people can work together well, there’s not always a bond bringing up Flair and Steamboat along with Flair and Dusty as examples. Bayley noted that there are a true bond and trust in each other. “I could main event WrestleMania with this chick.” Bayley noted she wouldn’t be the person or performer she is today without Sasha.
Steve put some footage on the screen and the two put over Shayna Baszler as legitimate and badass. This is where they lost the Women’s Tag-Team Titles after both being pinned b yNiax Jax. Bayley viciously turns on Sasha. While Bayley placed the chair around Sasha’s neck, Steve pointed out how this was reminiscent of when he put the chair about Brian Pillman’s ankle and jumped off the top rope. Steve jokes, “How could you do that to your best friend?” After the footage shows the destruction Bayley caused, she says, “I’ll drink to that.” The two cheers.
They turn to Hell in a Cell. Sasha had previously been in two matches with Charlotte and Becky while was Bayley’s first. Steve loved this match between Sasha and Bayley. Steve and Bayley watch clips of the match with Austin loving the little nuances and creativity. Stone Cold also felt the Banks Statement looks like a shoot since it’s on tight and while he wouldn’t mention any names, there are other wrestlers who often leave a gap. He’s likely referring to Cena. Steve would also constantly praise Bayley’s timing and the fact she rides it out well.
Steve: “I prefer you as a heel and I like you as a baby. Are you having more fun as a heel?” Bayley felt she had great times in NXT as a babyface, but this year has been so much fun and without any restrictions.
Steve noted that when Bayley calls out Michael Cole, it cracks him up in the right way. This started because they had no crowd, so all you could hear was Cole. Bayley would tell him to shut up.
Bayley would hold the SmackDown Women’s Champion for her two combined reigns for roughly 500 days, which is unheard of in this modern day. Old Bayley would have also never been able to participate in a Hell in a Cell match. Her goal is to be consistent.
Steve asks that “with all the highs and lows and in-betweens, what’s been the one thing that has kept you on track or kept you level headed?” Bayley believed it’s a lot of who she is and proving a point by being the most consistent performer where she can be trusted. To her peers and to the fans, she desires to be considered a top-tier performer. She believes there’s still so much to prove as many don’t believe her on the level of a Becky Lynch.
Bayley believes one thing that helped her out this year was to be a little selfish and look out for herself, which Austin attests to. Bayley loves helping the other women but wasn’t looking out for herself as much.
Steve compared her heel transition to the Snickers commercial and saw a lot of money in it. He loves where she’s at right now and predicts Bayley will inevitably be a future Hall of Famer but wants to know what’s next for Bayley. Currently, her eyes are on winning the Royal Rumble and strives to have a singles championship match at WrestleMania.
Austin has known Bayley as a person for quite some time, so it was nice to catch up. A few photos of the two were displayed along with a clip of Bayley waiting in Gorilla for Steve, so they could share a beer. Steve handed the beers to Sasha, Becky, Sarah Logan and Bayley as they all took a swig.
Austin concludes the conversation by congratulating Bayley and they cheer a beer.
It’s clear that Bayley is a highly passionate and likeable human being and it was refreshing to see her receive this spotlight since the past 12 months of her career have been remarkably compelling.
