For years, the biggest role model in WWE was without a doubt, John Cena. And while The Champ may still be the most popular wrestler among the youngest members of the WWE Universe, former NXT and Raw Women’s Champion Bayley is giving him a serious run for his money.
Older fans may bemoan the so-called “PG Era” of WWE, but as The Authority would say, it’s what’s best for business. It’s imperative that WWE’s Superstars connect with the kids in the audience – and no other female on the roster does that better than Bayley.
Living Her Dream
It’s well documented that Bayley grew up dreaming of being a WWE Superstar. Prior to her historic 30-minute Iron Man match against Sasha Banks at NXT TakeOver: Respect, Bayley shared an English essay she’d written in high school about her dream to one day be WWE Women’s Champion.
An old English essay from high school. In one week I will have a 30 minute Iron Man match. Dreams come true. #WWENXTpic.twitter.com/XT7hjnSoA6
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) September 30, 2015
There are also plenty of pictures of Bayley as a kid, wearing Hardy Boyz t-shirts and meeting wrestlers like John Cena.
What’s there to be embarrassed about having a dream, chasing it with passion, and achieving it?
Nice try @MsCharlotteWWE.#RAWpic.twitter.com/3dxgcf7jcp— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) January 17, 2017
Not only is it inspiring to see that Bayley actually achieved her dream, but it communicates to kids that, once upon time, she was just like them. Back in the 80’s and even the 90’s, wrestlers were larger than life caricatures who were hardly relatable figures for the audience. Today, wrestlers like Bayley who are openly living their dream send a positive message to kids that they can achieve whatever their hearts desire so long as they put in hard work and effort – and that’s a fantastic thing.
Genuine Inside The Ring And Out
Another great thing about Bayley is that she knows little kids are looking up to her – because she was once that little kid herself. In a 2015 interview, she said that she always makes an effort “not to let anyone down.”
“I hope I am an inspiration, as it’s something I’ve always wanted to be.
“When I was younger, I had people like Lita, Ivory and Molly Holly to look up to and I try to think of how they made me feel.
“No matter what I do in the sport, whether it’s during matches, or outside the ring, I’m always conscious of putting on a good image.
“I see lots of young girls dressing up like me and I get all these tweets saying I’m an inspiration. It’s a great feeling, so it’s really important not to let anyone down.”
I find it hard to believe that Bayley is even capable of letting anyone down. She cares too much, has too big a heart, and always puts her all into everything – all traits that make for a genuine and excellent role model.
But Bayley isn’t just there for her fans – she’s there for her friends, too.
Be humble, gracious, supportive, and ambitious. Those are definitely all qualities that I want to instill in my future children, and I certainly hope that if and when I have them there’s someone like Bayley in WWE representing all of those qualities.
Do you think Bayley is the “female John Cena”? Why do you think she’s a good role model for kids? Share your thoughts and comments below!