Veteran blasts Bayley's WWE work, compares her to Winnie the Pooh (Exclusive)
Bayley has been one of the most featured stars in WWE's women's division since joining the main roster in 2016. Vince Russo, WWE's former head writer, does not think the 35-year-old is qualified to be viewed as a locker room leader.
Cody Rhodes recently discussed WWE's experienced wrestlers during an interview on Jazzy's World TV. The Undisputed WWE Champion named Bayley and Randy Orton as two of the company's locker room leaders. He added that Bayley would wear the letter "C" if someone in WWE donned a captain's jersey for the team.
Russo appeared on Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws alongside host Dr. Chris Featherstone and former WWE star EC3. He slammed Bayley's promo ability and said he would not listen to her feedback:
"Bro, can one of the [locker room leader] qualifications please be, 'After 10 years, you gotta be able to cut a promo,'" Russo said. "Bro, if somebody can't cut a promo after 10 years, you ain't leading me anywhere. I'm not coming to you for guidance, I'm not coming to you for advice. You've cut 15,000 promos in the WWE and you don't know how to cut a promo, and you're gonna be the captain?! Seriously?! You're not gonna be the captain of my team!" [2:09 – 2:38]
Russo mocked Bayley by comparing her to the fictional character Winnie the Pooh. The one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion also clarified that he agreed with Rhodes' comment about Orton:
"Randy Orton, one thousand percent, one thousand percent," Russo added. "This is a pro, he's done it all, he's at the top of his game. Wrestling, cutting a promo, telling stories, personality-wise. Bayley? Bro, that's like putting a C on Winnie the Pooh. Come on, bro, stop it. Stop it, guys, will you? She's a locker room leader? She can't cut a promo after 15 years and 15,000 promos. She's a locker room [leader]? Come on, man." [2:38 – 3:09]
Watch the video above to hear more from the panel on the requirements needed to be a locker room leader in the wrestling business.
Vince Russo on Bayley's WWE in-ring skills
Over the last eight years, Bayley has held four main roster singles titles. She also won the 2019 Women's Money in the Bank ladder match and the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble match.
Vince Russo added that wrestlers should seek advice from names like Kurt Angle and The Undertaker. He also doubted Bayley's ability as a wrestler:
"'Taker, for crying out loud, perfect example, he did it all," Russo continued. "So, yes, man, I am gonna look up to him for every asset of the game: leadership, advice, critique. I'm gonna ask 'Taker to critique me. How many people have asked Kurt Angle to critique their match over the years? I'm sure EC3 did it a million [times]. What, you're gonna ask Bayley to critique your promo? Really? Good luck with that. I don't think Bayley's a great wrestler. I don't think any of the women are great wrestlers right now." [7:41 – 8:16]
In her most recent match, Bayley lost to Chelsea Green in the Women's United States Championship tournament on the December 13 episode of SmackDown.
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