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In 2017, WWE's women's division was on the rise, with many talented wrestlers getting the chance to showcase their skills on a global stage. Among these stars were Bayley and Alexa Bliss, two of the most popular female wrestlers at the time. However, their rivalry that year, which included a disastrous segment and lackluster matches, ended up ruining Bayley's babyface run in WWE.
Bayley, known for her huggable persona, was an instant hit with the WWE Universe when she debuted on the main roster in 2016. Fans loved her underdog story, where she worked her way up from humble beginnings in the independent wrestling scene to become a WWE Superstar. However, things took a turn for the worse when Bayley got involved in a feud with Alexa Bliss.
"This Is Your Life, Bayley" Was One Of WWE Raw's Worst Segments
The feud started off well, with Bayley and Alexa trading verbal jabs and some decent matches. However, things took a drastic turn when Alexa Bliss hosted a segment called "This is your life, Bayley," which was supposed to be a tribute to Bayley's life and career. Instead, it turned into a cringe-worthy, poorly-written skit that dragged on for what felt like an eternity. The segment featured actors portraying Bayley's childhood friends, teachers, and even her ex-boyfriend.
During the segment, the actors portraying Bayley's childhood friends, teachers, and ex-boyfriend made derogatory comments about her. They mocked her for being immature, bad at sports, and overly reliant on her father. For instance, her ex-boyfriend awkwardly claimed that Bayley used to bring her dad to their dates. He even said that one time by mistake he almost made out with Bayley's dad instead of her. This was followed by him kissing Bayley's "best friend" as Alexa watched them with sadistic pleasure.
The whole thing was just embarrassing to watch. The segment was a complete disaster and was widely panned by fans and critics alike. Many people felt that it was disrespectful to Bayley and her accomplishments in the WWE. The segment also completely undermined Bayley's character, who was supposed to be a lovable underdog that fans could root for but was instead portrayed as a lost cause. This segment got such backlash that WWE ended up cutting it out of all its media eventually, but the damage was done.
RELATED: How Bayley Came Up With Her Wrestling Name & The Story Behind It, Explained
Bayley Can't Get Extreme In A Kendo Stick On A Pole Match
The feud between the two women eventually led to a Kendo Stick on a Pole match at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event in 2017. The rules of the match were simple: the kendo stick would be suspended above the ring, and the first wrestler to retrieve it could use it as a weapon against their opponent. However, it was Bayley's reaction to the match that ultimately led to her downfall. Bayley failed to "get extreme" and use the kendo stick to her advantage. She appeared hesitant and unsure of herself, which allowed Alexa Bliss to gain the upper hand and ultimately win the match. The loss was humiliating for Bayley, who had failed to live up to the expectations of her fans and her character. The aftermath of the match was devastating for Bayley.
Her babyface persona had been built around the idea of being a relatable, lovable underdog who overcame the odds. However, her loss at Extreme Rules shattered that image. Bayley was no longer seen as a fighter who could stand up to her opponents, but instead as a weak and ineffective wrestler. Fans were disappointed, and Bayley's popularity began to decline rapidly. In fact, she was regularly booed while still playing a huggable babyface character and the fans were demanding a change.
RELATED: Bayley's Booking Since Her WWE Return Has Made No Sense
A Career Saving Heel Turn For Bayley
Bayley struggled to regain her footing as a babyface in the WWE. Her character had become stagnant, and fans were losing interest in her. However, in October 2019, Bayley finally pulled the trigger and turned heel, which would ultimately lead to the best run of her career. The heel turn was a long time coming for Bayley. Her character had been in desperate need of a shake-up, and a change in direction was necessary for her to remain relevant in the WWE. As a heel, Bayley was a completely different wrestler. She was more aggressive in the ring and showed a level of intensity that had been missing from her babyface persona.
Bayley embraced her new character, adopting a more rebellious look and attitude. She even changed her hairstyle, cutting her long locks into a short bob, which further cemented her new persona, and it bore results as Bayley's reign as SmackDown Women's Champion was historic, as she became the longest reigning champion in the title's history.
