NEW DELHI:
Former WWE Divas Champion
Mickie James has expressed her disappointment over the exclusion of
Bayley
from the recent
WWE WrestleMania XL Kickoff event
, despite Bayley winning this year's
women's Royal Rumble
.
Speaking on "Busted Open Radio," James conveyed her sentiments, stating, "I would've been a bit slighted. I felt like it was a bit of a slight in a sense, not just to the women's division but to her." James emphasized that Bayley, whom she considers a unique figure in the industry, is often overlooked and undervalued.
According to James, Bayley's opponent and former
Damage CTRL
comrade, WWE Women's Champion
Iyo Sky
, also deserves recognition and was similarly overlooked in the press conference.
James asserted, "She's probably the best female worker there. I think that she's been a constant [on programming]." She added that Bayley's consistent contributions, despite not always being in the biggest storylines, make it crucial for her rare opportunities, such as headlining WrestleMania, not to be disregarded.
Describing Bayley as a "leader" in the business, James raised concerns about the tendency to sideline her in favor of bigger personalities. James believes that Bayley's giving nature in an industry dominated by "takers" may contribute to her being overlooked.
The WWE WrestleMania XL Kickoff event featured Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, and Bianca Belair representing the women's division. Ripley and Lynch's face-off during the event hinted at a potential match between them at the upcoming WrestleMania.
Mickie James is not alone in expressing frustration over Bayley's absence, as Thunder Rosa also shared similar sentiments, particularly in light of recent allegations against the company and former executive Vince McMahon. The discussion surrounding Bayley's omission raises questions about the visibility and recognition of talented performers within the WWE women's division.
(Inputs from agencies)
English (US) ·