Original Plans For Damage CTRL Split Revealed

Bayley heads into WWE WrestleMania XL a lone wolf, with Bayley’s former Damage CTRL allies ditching her after her Royal Rumble win.

The multi-time former WWE Women’s Champion will be looking to add another accolade to her list when she faces WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY, with SKY and Damage CTRL hoping to keep the title within their ranks.

A report from Fightful Select suggests that Bayley wasn’t always meant to go it alone against her former friends, with original plans having Bayley’s fellow Horsewoman Charlotte Flair assist her in her battles against Damage CTRL. The Bayley/Damage CTRL split was planned in advance, but Flair’s serious knee injury in late 2023 ruined that particular part of the creative plan. Flair is expected to be out of action until late 2024.

Before signing with All Elite Wrestling, Bayley’s close friend and other fellow Horsewoman Mercedes Moné/Sasha Banks was in discussions about a potential WWE return, and if Banks were to come back into the company then it’s possible she could have been inserted into the storyline on Bayley’s side, although these were never concrete plans.