Bayley is set to defend her SmackDown Women's Title on Friday against Sasha Banks and decided to get some last-minute shots up.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Bayley was asked about turning her real-life into her character and how she wanted to become a role model through pro wrestling.
"I’ve always tried to show through everything I do that all of this is so real to me. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was 10 years old. It was never, “Oh, I want to be on TV.” That was never my thought process. I never wanted to do this for the interviews or appearances, so Sasha can suck it with that line. All I ever wanted was to be a pro wrestler and champion, and that’s what I’m doing," she said. "This whole transformation has been as real for me as it has been on TV. I’ve had to dig deeper within myself. I have been in WWE for almost eight years, and you need to constantly reevaluate and motivate yourself, and that’s what I’m doing to stay consistent as a champion and performer."
The story between Banks and Bayley has been brewing for over a year, ever since Banks took time off television following WrestleMania 35, leaving Bayley on her own. Despite their friendship at the end of 2019 all the way through Payback, the side-eyes have always been present.
As the match approaches, Bayley is not happy with how things have turned out.
"Honestly, I’m disappointed in Fox and WWE. I take my only day off last week, and then they make a match behind my back. I can’t get drafted to Raw if I am the SmackDown women’s champion. That would make no sense. Maybe Sasha will get drafted right away to Raw, and that saves me a match. Or she’ll have to go as a loser after she wrestles me. Either way, I’ll be SmackDown women’s champion for another 500 days," she said.
September has been a memorable month for Bayley as she's attacked her fellow Horsewomen Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Banks in ninth month over the past two years. When asked about the timing, Bayley said, "I guess September is a month of realization and clarity [laughs]. It’s funny because people have told me for so long that I’m the weakest link to the Four Horsewomen. I wasn’t called up as soon as the others, I wasn’t main-eventing, or whatever their reason may have been, but look who’s standing now. And where are the others?"
Along with Bayley defending her SmackDown Women's Title against Banks, the first night of the WWE Draft will take place on SmackDown.
Fightful will have live coverage of WWE SmackDown beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
