Bayley returned to this week’s episode of WWE RAW (Sept. 7, 2026) and took out Lyra Valkyria. However, despite The Role Model’s return, her contract status with the company is uncertain.

During a recent episode of his “Grilling JR” podcast, Jim Ross reflected on Bayley possibly joining AEW if she becomes a free agent. The WWE Hall of Famer said,

“Oh, hell yeah. Yeah, really I do. She would add to the women’s, the ever-growing women’s division in AEW. Bayley could help. You know, a veteran. She could answer questions that some of these young ladies might not have the answers to. She could be a leader, which is very, what I’m trying to say, which is very important. And she’s still a hell of a hand. She’s still a hell of a hand.”

“I remember when McMahon said, ‘I want, J.R., I want you to go out and hire me some athletic tens.’ And if you look up the definition of athletic ten, then you see Trish Stratus, and I hired her, and that kind of set the bar.”

“Well, Bayley has successfully had a great career, has had great success not looking like that because she’s got talent and she can work, she can wrestle.”

“Tony Khan has done a great job of paying attention to the women. I don’t mean that in a wise-ass remark, but he’s hired some really good talents and the division continues to strengthen as we move forward.”

“She would be a great addition to AEW. I would celebrate her arrival if it were to occur. And I’m sure that Tony Khan, who has a great eye for talent, he has to be interested in it. And I’m sure he’d be very interested in her.”