WWE superstar ‘moved to tears’ backstage after feeling ‘defeated and run down’

WWE superstar Bayley has admitted she broke down in tears after getting a surprising lift when she felt ‘a little mentally run down’.

The current WWE Women’s Champion is on cloud nine with the gold, but she admitted in the buildup to her recent match at Backlash in Lyon, France, she was feeling ‘so defeated’ until the fans left her feeling overwhelmed – and she’s hoping for a repeat at Clash At The Castle.

Speaking in Glasgow, Scotland, she exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘That match with Naomi and Tiffany [Stratton], not only did I have so much fun in that match, but that crowd – I was moved to tears afterwards.

‘It was so special. That’s what I’m looking forward to this weekend as well.’

The Role Model and former Damage CTRL leader revealed while she was ‘excited’ for the show – which has already gone down in history for its record breaking volume in the arena – she was in need of a boost.

‘Literally leading into that pay-per-view on the plane, I was just feeling so defeated and down, just a little run down,’ she candidly explained.

Bayley had an emotional moment after her match at Backlash (Picture: WWE)

Her triple threat with Tiffany Stratton and Naomi will live long in the memory (Picture: Getty Images)

She added: ‘We don’t have off seasons here, so as excited I was to perform and defend the title, I was just a little mentally run down. But at SmackDown [on the first night], that fricking crowd just lifts you up.’

Bayley noted that this is true for all wrestlers, with the roar of the crowd helping them with a shot of adrenaline when they really need it the most.

She smiled: ‘It’s so real when we say you guys give us energy and give us life. It’s so real to us, to our bodies – physically and emotionally, it’s what keeps us going, and that is what I needed.’

Bayley and Naomi shared a special moment together (Picture: WWE)

In Lyon, we spoke to Bayley the morning after the reaction on SmackDown – and just hours before the emotional Backlash match – and she eluded to how being a fan favourite again has been exactly what she needed.

She said at the time: ‘I feel like this is the most full I’ve felt in a long time, you know? I think I was missing that. The connection with the fans in a way of being like, on the same side together, rather than fighting each other – it feels like that’s what I was missing for the last couple years.’

The decorated superstar is deserving of the genuine connection she’s build with the WWE faithful, which has come from hard work and passion for everything she does in and out of the ring.

The Role Model has an incredible bond with the fans (Picture: WWE)

As we caught up in Glasgow, Bayley reflected on her proudest moment in wrestling, and made a special mention to her and Sasha Banks’ work in establishing the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

‘I’m still very proud of the tag team titles. Although they don’t get the recognition or anything that I believe they can, bringing those into existence has been very cool,’ she said.

Bayley will face Piper Niven in Glasgow this weekend (Picture: WWE/Craig Ambrosio)

The inconsistent nature of how the titles have been presented has been controversial with viewers, while fans have also complained online about the way Bayley isn’t given the same focus on premium live event posters are her fellow champions.

‘I don’t understand the nature of it, and that’s fine. Sometimes it does [get to me], but I’m stronger than that, and I’m above it,’ she said.

‘So, put me on a poster, you don’t have to, I can take my own pictures. I’m the champion, and I’m gonna keep being the champion!’

Paramore were close to their WrestleMania debut (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management )

She is certainly flying the flag for herself and the entire division, while there is still one goal left to tick off the bucket list after she came close to having Paramore play her out to the ring at WrestleMania 40 in April.

‘I can’t give out too many details. But it was attempted, and I reached out to who I knew. And it was just bad timing this year,’ she said ‘But they’re aware of it now, and we’ve had small little conversations here and there.

‘I’ve met Hayley [Williams] a couple times and met the band. So like, I feel like there’s a huge possibility to make it happen someday, and I don’t think I can retire without it happening!’

Clash at the Castle: Scotland airs live from the Hydro Glasgow, Saturday June 15th, tune in on the WWE Network and TNT Sports Box Office. WWE 2K24 is available now.

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