Is Bayley Returning to WWE—or Joining Mercedes Moné in a New Wrestling Universe?

Bayley’s immediate future appears to be with WWE, but the former Women’s Champion’s long-term destination remains one of wrestling’s most intriguing unanswered questions.

After disappearing from WWE programming following her July 18 loss to Lyra Valkyria at Saturday Night’s Main Event, speculation intensified that Bayley could be preparing to leave the company and reunite with her best friend, Mercedes Moné, in AEW.

A new report suggests Bayley is expected back on WWE television within the coming weeks. However, that does not necessarily mean she has signed a new contract or eliminated the possibility of entering a completely different wrestling universe in 2027.

What We Know About Bayley’s WWE Return

Bayley has not appeared on WWE television since Valkyria defeated her and attacked her after their match at Madison Square Garden.

According to a report from PWInsider summarized by Cageside Seats, WWE’s creative team has discussed ideas for Bayley’s return to Raw. She is reportedly expected to return to the road within the next few weeks.

That makes a WWE television comeback the most likely immediate outcome.

Bayley’s name has also continued to be mentioned during WWE programming, particularly in connection with Valkyria. Companies rarely continue emphasizing an absent wrestler if they have no plans to revisit the story.

A return could allow Bayley to seek revenge against Valkyria, begin a new championship program or complete another character transformation.

The important distinction is that Bayley would be returning to WWE television—not returning to the company after leaving. She remains under contract.

A WWE Return Does Not Confirm a New Contract

Bayley’s current WWE agreement is reportedly scheduled to expire in late 2026. Fightful’s contract tracker lists her deal as ending late this year but notes that reported expiration dates may not account for possible injury extensions.

There has been no public confirmation that Bayley has signed a new agreement.

That means WWE could bring her back this fall while negotiations continue behind the scenes. The company may want to retain her, but returning to television does not guarantee that both sides have agreed on her value, creative direction or contract length.

Bayley has spent nearly her entire nationally televised career inside WWE. She joined the company in 2012 and became one of the defining wrestlers of NXT’s women’s division before finding success on Raw and SmackDown.

She has won championships, headlined major shows, led Damage CTRL and reinvented herself several times.

WWE represents stability, history and the possibility of eventually transitioning into a leadership or coaching position. It also remains the only major wrestling system Bayley has known for more than a decade.

Staying would be understandable.

Leaving could be creatively irresistible.

Why the AEW Speculation Will Not Disappear

The AEW rumors are not based on a confirmed offer or reported negotiations. No credible report has established that Bayley and AEW are discussing a contract.

The speculation continues because of Mercedes Moné.

Mercedes publicly described Bayley as “my best friend in wrestling” and called another match between them a dream encounter. Her comments were transcribed by Fightful.

Mercedes also created additional discussion in June by sharing a photoshopped graphic teasing herself against Bayley—under her former independent name, Davina Rose—at AEW WrestleDream. Bayley was still under WWE contract, making the post a tease rather than an actual match announcement.

Nevertheless, Mercedes clearly understands the interest surrounding another chapter in their rivalry.

Bayley vs. Mercedes Moné Still Feels Like a Dream Match

Bayley and Mercedes will always be connected through their match at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015.

That encounter helped change how WWE presented women’s wrestling. It combined an emotionally invested audience, a simple but effective story and two performers who understood how to make their rivalry feel personal.

They later became the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and carried significant portions of WWE programming together during the empty-arena era.

Despite that history, they have not wrestled a singles match against each other since 2020.

They are now more experienced, more accomplished and creatively different from the wrestlers they were during their original rivalry.

Mercedes is currently positioned at the top of AEW’s women’s division after capturing the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In London, according to AEW’s official results.

If Bayley entered AEW under a new identity, she would not simply be recreating an old WWE rivalry. She and Mercedes could explore what their relationship means after years of building separate legacies.

Would they reunite as friends? Would Mercedes resent Bayley entering her territory? Would Bayley immediately challenge for the championship?

The story practically writes itself.

A New Wrestling Universe for Bayley

An AEW move would give Bayley something WWE can no longer provide: an entirely new first chapter.

She could wrestle Mercedes, Toni Storm, Kris Statlander, Thekla, Athena, Willow Nightingale and several other opponents she has never faced—or has not faced on a major national stage.

Bayley could also return to the Davina Rose name or create a new presentation unrestricted by WWE-owned branding.

That freedom would carry risk. WWE offers a larger global platform and a system Bayley understands. AEW already has a deep roster, and signing with the company would not automatically guarantee consistently strong creative direction.

However, Bayley’s experience could make her more than another roster addition. She could become an important locker-room leader and help AEW develop stories around its younger women’s talent.

AEW would also have the opportunity to promote Bayley and Mercedes as a historic rivalry continuing outside WWE—something that would have appeared almost impossible several years ago.

What Is the Most Likely Outcome?

The most likely short-term outcome is Bayley returning to Raw and continuing her unfinished business with Lyra Valkyria.

The long-term answer is less certain.

WWE reportedly wants Bayley back on television, but there is still no confirmation that she has signed a new contract. AEW has not confirmed interest or negotiations, but Mercedes has repeatedly kept their dream match in the conversation.

Bayley may ultimately decide that her WWE story is not finished.

She may also conclude that after more than a decade in the same company, the most exciting final stage of her career would be discovering who she can become somewhere else.

For now, the most accurate conclusion is simple:

Bayley appears to be returning to WWE television—but the door to another wrestling universe has not officially closed.