Bayley's WWE Contract Nears Expiry Amid Heightened AEW Interest

Former WWE Women's Grand Slam Champion Bayley is approaching the end of her contract, which is set to expire at the close of 2026 unless injury time is added. Sources cited by Fightful Select confirm she has not signed a new deal with WWE, though the company has expressed a desire to retain her.

AEW has shown long‑standing, “major” interest in signing Bayley should she enter free agency, with reports indicating the promotion has been monitoring her situation for almost a year. Analysts suggest the negotiation could allow Bayley to seek contract guarantees such as fully‑guaranteed years or a no‑cut clause, potentially reshaping how top talent negotiates WWE agreements.

The storyline surrounding Bayley's recent loss to Lyra Valkyria on Saturday Night’s Main Event – followed by a post‑match assault – has fueled speculation that the match may have been written to write her off TV, though WWE has not confirmed any removal. Industry commentators, including Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez, note that the outcome could either be a temporary storyline pause or a prelude to her departure. The combined interest from WWE and AEW places Bayley in a strong negotiating position that could influence future contract standards in professional wrestling.