Bayley: Damage CTRL Was On Both Nights Of WrestleMania XL, That’s A Win…Even Though They Lost

Bayley reflects on her run with Damage CTRL. 

Bayley formed Damage CTRL alongside IYO SKY and Dakota Kai at SummerSlam 2022. The group remained a consistent part of television, but fell to Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch, & Lita at WrestleMania 39, marking a low for the group. 

At WrestleMania 40, IYO SKY entered as WWE Women’s Champion, while Asuka & Kairi Sane, who joined Damage CTRL and led to the dismissal of Bayley, came in as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, teaming with Kai. 

Speaking at the WrestleMania XL press conference, Bayley was asked about Damage CTRL turning the corner after WrestleMania 39. 

“Personally, that whole experience was very humbling to me. I imagined creating a group, it was going to be so different and the fans were going to love it and we were going to be dominating everything. There was so much more that goes into it behind the scenes and we had to work on our chemistry, like real life chemistry, as friends and share our goals with each other, what we want out of this so that we could help each other get there. Once we started ironing those things out and getting confident in ourselves and trusting each other, we started to feel better. Everyone started being themselves. We weren’t trying to be professional. Being able to hang out with your friends and putting on the best work we can. Then, IYO won the title, and that was like, ‘we’re on top of the world.’ IYO winning the title was definitely a shift change. Just hearing the reaction when Dakota came in the ring. ‘Ah, they do care about us. They do remember our moments.’ Long journey. I didn’t think we’d be here right now. To me, although Damage CTRL took a loss last night, them coming out and getting an entrance, they had a little bit to their entrance. Dakota was on last year, got hurt, still made it to this one. Then they came out tonight. To me, Damage CTRL was on two nights of WrestleMania, and that’s a win to me. Although they both lost,” she said with a laugh.

Jade Cargill, Naomi, & Bianca Belair defeated Asuka, Kairi, & Kai in a six-woman tag team bout at night one. 

Meanwhile, Bayley defeated IYO to capture the WWE Women’s Title on night two. 

Fans can find Fightful’s coverage of WrestleMania XL Sunday by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the action by clicking here. 

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