Pamela Rose Martinez (June 15, 1989) is an Mexican-American female professional wrestler who is signed to World Wrestling Entertainment, performing on the Smackdown brand under the ring name Bayley. She is a two-time WWE SmackDown Women's Champion, a one-time NXT Women's Champion, one-time WWE Raw Women's Champion and one half of the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions with Sasha Banks.
Early life
Martinez states she has been a fan of professional wrestling since the age of eleven. Drawn to athletics, Martinez has competed in track, basketball and martial arts and has even done juggling and pogo sticking. At age 18, she began seriously training for professional wrestling.
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2008–2012)
Martinez had been attending shows by Big Time Wrestling, a professional wrestling promotion in Northern California, since she was 11. She started her professional wrestling career at the age of 18 in April 2008 by attending Big Time Wrestling's training classes by her head trainer Jason Styles, which was one of the reasons why Martinez considered Big Time Wrestling as her home promotion. She had her first match in September 2008. On the American independent circuit, Martinez wrestled under the ring name "Davina Rose". From 2011 to 2012, Rose branched out to wrestle for other promotions like NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood and Shine Wrestling.
Rose first met her mentor Serena in October 2010 when they teamed together for a tag team match. When Rose made her debut for Shimmer Women Athletes in October 2011 at the tapings of Shimmer Volume 41-44; she became embroiled in Serena's feud with the Canadian Ninjas (Portia Perez and Nicole Matthews). At the tapings, Rose lost all four matches wrestled including her debut match to Mercedes Martinez. Rose continued to wrestle for Shimmer in 2012 and she received her first victory on Volume 48 as she teamed with Mia Yim to defeat Melanie Cruise and Mena Libra; on Volumes 51 and 52, Rose picked up her first two singles victories in Shimmer with wins over Cherry Bomb and Rhia O'Reilly.
World Wrestling Entertainment
NXT (2012–2016)
Martinez joined the WWE in early 2013, appearing on it NXT program under the name of Bayley. She wrestled her first match on the February 21 edition of WWE NXT, losing to Paige. Bayley competed in the first round of the NXT Women's Championship Tournament on June 12, losing to Alicia Fox. She competed in her first title match in WWE, facing the reigning champion AJ Lee on the August 21 edition of NXT. On the September 4 edition of NXT, Bayley teamed with Charlotte against Aksana and Alicia Fox in a winning effort for her first win in WWE. On the September 25 edition of NXT, Bayley was defeated by the heel-turned Sasha Banks. On November 6, Bayley was targeted by the BFFs (Sasha Banks and Summer Rae), which led to Charlotte coming to her defense, despite being annoyed by Bayley's persona. On the following edition of NXT, Bayley and Charlotte competed in a losing effort against Banks and Rae, with the loss coming after Bayley was attacked by Charlotte during the match. On the December 11 edition of NXT, Bayley teamed with Natalya in a losing effort to Banks and Rae, but she would defeat Rae in singles action on the January 8, 2014 edition of NXT. Three weeks later, Bayley defeated Banks in singles action. Bayley would defeat Banks again on the March 20 edition of NXT.
On the May 1 episode of NXT, Bayley failed to advance in the tournament for the vacant NXT Women's Championship after losing to Banks in the first round. On the June 12th episode of NXT, Bayley scored the victory over the new NXT Women's Champion Charlotte in a six-Diva tag team match. On the August 7 episode of NXT, Bayley defeated Eva Marie. On the August 14 episode of NXT, Bayley defeated Sasha Banks to become the #1 Contender to the NXT Women's Championship. She repeated the feat on August 28 when Banks challenged her to a rematch. At NXT Takeover: Fatal 4 Way, Bayley was unsuccessful in capturing the championship from Charlotte.
On the September 25 edition of NXT, Bayley defeated Alexa Bliss in singles action, and later challenged Charlotte to a rematch for the NXT Women's Championship, which she lost on the following week. She was later attacked by Sasha Banks in a backstage interview segment, which led to a match on the October 23 edition of NXT, which Bayley lost via submission. She was later attacked by Banks after the match until Becky Lynch saved her; however, Lynch would undergo a villainous turn and attack Bayley in the ring. Later, Bayley formed an alliance with former rival Charlotte to feud with Banks and Lynch throughout the following several weeks. On November 27, Bayley was attacked by Banks and Lynch, injuring her knee in the storyline. She returned on January 21, 2015, saving Charlotte from an attack by Banks and Lynch. At NXT Takeover: Rival, Bayley competed in a Fatal 4-Way match for the NXT Women's Championship, but she was defeated by Sasha Banks. Bayley was again defeated by Becky Lynch on the February 25 edition of NXT.
Bayley began an angle with Emma on the March 4 episode of NXT, where Emma began mocking Bayley's niceness and stating that it kept her from winning the NXT Women's Championship, leaving Emma in the process of turning heel. Bayley was again confronted by Emma on the March 25 episode of NXT, and later argued against Emma's statements and said that the fans made her #1 Contender for the NXT Women's Championship twice. In response, Emma delivered a slap to Bayley to solidify her heel turn. Bayley defeated Emma on the April 1 edition of NXT. On the April 29 episode of NXT, Bayley was defeated by Dana Brooke after a distraction by Emma. Bayley would gain revenge on Emma the following week, where she would attack her after Emma's loss to Charlotte in a match. At NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable on May 20, Bayley teamed up with Charlotte to defeat Emma and Dana Brooke. On the May 27 episode of NXT, Bayley was defeated by Emma via submission, and after the match, she and Charlotte were attacked by Emma and Dana Brooke.
After some hiatus due to a broken hand, Bayley returned on the July 22 episode of NXT, where she defeated Emma and announced her goal to become the next NXT Women's Champion. Bayley would then challenge Charlotte to a match, which Bayley won, on the August 5 episode of NXT. On the August 12 episode of NXT, Bayley defeated Becky Lynch in a Number One Contender's Match to earn a shot at the NXT Women's Championship against Sasha Banks at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. At the event, Bayley defeated Banks to capture the NXT Women's Championship. After the match, Bayley celebrated with Banks, Becky Lynch and Charlotte. Bayley successfully defended it against Banks at NXT Takeover: Respect in a 30-minute Iron Man Match. Bayley would continue to defend it against the likes of Nia Jax, Eva Marie, Carmella and Alexa Bliss, until Asuka unseated her at Takeover: Dallas, by passing out to the Asuka Lock.
On July 24 at Battleground, Bayley made her WWE main roster and pay-per-view debut in a one-off appearance as Sasha Banks's mystery tag team partner, defeating Charlotte and Dana Brooke. On the July 27 episode of NXT, Bayley asked NXT's general manager William Regal a rematch against Asuka for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, which he granted. Two weeks later on the August 10 episode of NXT, a contract signing was held between both women, which they would signed and subsequently accept. At the event on August 20, Bayley failed to regain the title.
Raw (2016–2019)
On July 24, 2016, at Battleground, Bayley made her WWE main roster and pay-per-view debut in a one-off appearance as Sasha Banks's mystery tag team partner, defeating Charlotte and Dana Brooke.
On the August 22 episode of Raw, Bayley made her official main roster debut after being established as part of the brand by Raw general manager Mick Foley, where she confronted and challenged the Raw Women's Champion Charlotte to a title match, which Charlotte refused and instead forced protégé Brooke to face her, whom Bayley defeated. At Clash of Champions, Bayley was unsuccessful in winning the championship from Charlotte in a triple threat match, which also included Banks. Throughout this time, she entered a feud with Brooke, and the two brawled and traded victories in matches. This culminated in a match at Hell in a Cell on October 30, which Bayley won.
At Survivor Series on November 17, Bayley survived alongside Charlotte Flair as members of Team Raw; after the match, she was attacked by Flair. On January 2, 2017, Bayley defeated Nia Jax to become the number one contender for Flair's Raw Women's Championship. She challenged Flair at the Royal Rumble but was unsuccessful in capturing the title. She earned a rematch after she, Cesaro and Sheamus defeated Flair, Gallows and Anderson the next night on Raw, with Bayley pinning Flair. Two weeks later on the February 13 episode, after an assist from Sasha Banks, Bayley defeated Flair in the main event to win the Raw Women's Championship. At Fastlane, thanks to a distraction from Banks, she retained the title against Charlotte, and in turn gave Charlotte her first pay-per-view loss. At WrestleMania 33, in Bayley's WrestleMania debut, she retained the title against Charlotte, Banks and Nia Jax in a fatal four-way elimination match. On April 30, Bayley dropped the title to Alexa Bliss at Payback, ending her reign at 76 days. She failed to regain the title in a kendo stick on a pole match at Extreme Rules. In late July, Bayley again became the number one contender for the championship and was slated to face Bliss at SummerSlam in August, but she suffered a separated shoulder injury which left her unable to perform.
Bayley returned from her injury on the September 18, 2017, episode of Raw to help Sasha Banks fend off Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss. At No Mercy the next week, she lost a Fatal-5 Way match by being pinned by the defending Raw Women's Champion, Bliss. Bayley defeated Mickie James and Dana Brooke in a triple threat match to become the final member of Team Raw for a traditional five-on-five elimination tag team match at Survivor Series. Bayley was the first member of Team Raw to be eliminated during the match, but her team eventually won. On the January 1st Bayley announced that she is entering the women's Royal Rumble match. On Raw 25th anniversary Asuka, Sasha Banks, Bayley and Mickie James defeated Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Nia Jax and Alicia Fox with Sasha Banks making Alicia Fox tap out with the Banks Statement.
At the Royal Rumble 2018 Event, Bayley entered at Number 29 where she eliminated Nia Jax before getting eliminated by her best friend Sasha Banks. On the February 5th episode of Raw, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle announced Bayley as one of the participants of the first ever women's Elimination Chamber Match. At Elimination Chamber Alexa Bliss eliminated Bayley then eliminated Sasha Banks to retain her WWE Raw Women's Championship. On the March 5th episode of RAW, Bayley defeated Mandy Rose after the match, Absolution attacked Bayley, but then Sasha Banks came for an aid for Bayley, but Bayley pushed Sasha Banks away. On March 12, 2018 episode of RAW, after Banks defeated Sonya Deville, Bayley walked away from Banks, leaving Banks confused, showing signs of a heel turn.
During the following week, on the March 19 episode of RAW, Bayley and Banks seemed to reconcile their recent differences and took to the ring to meet members of team Absolution (Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville). Their match concluded with Banks and Bayley confronting each other before Deville shoved Bayley into Banks from behind, sending Banks out of the ring before Bayley was kicked upside the head, securing a pin fall victory for Absolution.
The following month, Bayley returned during the April 2 episode of RAW, intending to extract a measure of revenge from Sonya Deville who was responsible for Absolution's victory over Banks and Bayley during the previous month. Bayley however, successfully defeated Deville in their singles encounter. During the WrestleMania 34 Kickoff on April 8, Bayley competed in the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal that was eventually won by Naomi. On the night after WrestleMania, during the April 16 episode of RAW, Bayley and Sasha Banks competed against each other in a singles match that ended in a No Contest finish. She made her final televised appearance of the month during the April 23 episode of RAW, teaming with Sasha Banks]], Ember Moon, Natalya and Nia Jax in a tag match lost to Alexa Bliss, Mickie James & The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan). She returned the following month on the May 14 episode of RAW during which Bayley competed in a Triple Threat Money In The Bank Qualifying match against Alexa Bliss and Mickie James, ending with Bliss winning the match. Despite losing the previous match qualifier, Bayley had a second opportunity during the May 28 episode of RAW competing in a Gauntlet Money in the Bank Qualifier, against Sasha Banks, Dana Brooke, Liv Morgan, Mickie James, Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan. Once more however, Bayley did not succeed in qualifying to compete for the Money in the Bank match as her longtime teammate and friend Sasha Banks won the gauntlet on that occasion. During the month of June, Bayley returned to her previous grievance with the Riott Squad, engaging in tag team matches during the June 11, June 18 and June 25 episodes of RAW, all resulting in victories for the Riott Squad. Bayley returned the following month during the July 16 episode of RAW, where Bayley and Sasha Banks were teamed by General Manager Kurt Angle in hope of mending the friendship between the two or risk trading one member of the team to SmackDown. A tag match was ordered that night against Alicia Fox & Dana Brooke, ending with a disqualification against Bayley and Banks. During the following week on the July 23 episode of RAW, Bayley and Sasha Banks successfully defeated local wrestlers Karen Lundy & Samantha Simon. On the July 30 episode of RAW, Bayley and Banks avenged their past losses against the Riott Squad, defeating members Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan.
Bayley and Banks' feud against the Riott Squad continued during the following month on the August 6 episode of RAW, losing to Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan in a rematch. Returning on the August 20 episode of RAW, Bayley and Banks teamed with Ember Moon to meet the full-strength of Riott Squad, including its third and leading member Ruby Riott. Their six-woman tag match ended in a victory for the Riott Squad. Returning on the September 3 episode of RAW, Bayley and Sasha Banks began their month together in a successful tag match defeating Dana Brooke & Ember Moon. Bayley ended the month appearing on the September 17 episode of RAW, in a match defeating Dana Brooke. The following month, Bayley returned on the October 1 episode of RAW, during which she defeated Alicia Fox. The next week on the October 8 episode of RAW, Bayley teamed with Finn Balor in defeating Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal in a mixed tag match. On October 28, Bayley took part in the first all-women pay-per-view Evolution, where she teamed with Natalya & Sasha Banks in a six-woman tag match defeating The Riott Squad. The night after Evolution, Bayley finished the month with an appearance during the October 29 episode of RAW, teaming with Sasha Banks, Natalya, and WWE Hall of Fame]]rs Trish Stratus & Lita in a ten-woman tag match defeating Alicia Fox, Mickie James the Riott Squad. The following month, Bayley returned during the November 5 episode of RAW, teaming once more with Sasha Banks & Natalya in defeating The Riott Squad. The following week during the November 5 episode of RAW, Bayley and her teammates Natalya and Sasha Banks faced The Riott Squad in a rematch, ending in a No Contest finish. As Survivor Series drew near, Bayley competed against Sasha Banks in a Survivor Series Team Qualifying match, during the November 12 episode of RAW resulting in a No Contest finish. At the Survivor Series pay-per-view, Bayley and Banks both secured places on Team RAW with Mickie James, Nia Jax & Tamina and defeated Team SmackDown LIVE members Asuka, Carmella, Mandy Rose, Naomi & Sonya Deville. During the November 19 episode of RAW, Bayley & Sasha Banks lost a rematch against members of Survivor Series Team SmackDown Nia Jax & Tamina. During the November 26 episode of RAW, Bayley teaed with Sasha Banks, Ember Moon, Natalya & Ronda Rousey in a dark tag match defeating Nia Jax, Tamina & The Riott Squad.
The following month, Bayley returned for the December 3 episode of RAW, teaming with Sasha Banks in defeating Alicia Fox & Mickie James. Following her friend Sasha Banks earning a title shot against RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey on the January 7th episode of Raw, Bayley aided her friend Sasha Banks in defeating Ronda Rousey & Natalya in a tag team match on the January 21st episode of Raw, which marked the first defeat in Ronda Rousey's career. At the Royal Rumble 2019, Bayley appeared in the match entering at Number 27 where she eliminated Ruby Riott, Rhea Ripley & Alexa Bliss before being eliminated by Charlotte Flair & Nia Jax. On the post-Royal Rumble 2019 episode of Raw Bayley was defeated by Ronda Rousey after accepting her open challenge match for the WWE Raw Women's Championship.
Following the announcement of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship on the December 24th episode of RAW, Bayley and her tag team partner Sasha Banks qualified for the Elimination Chamber Match on the February 4th edition of RAW. At the Elimination Chamber 2019, Bayley & Sasha Banks won the Elimination Chamber Match to become the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. Bayley & Sasha lost the Women's Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 35 in a Fatal Four Way tag team match won by The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce).
Smackdown (2019–present)
On April 16, 2019 Bayley moved to Smackdown as part of the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up. At Money in the Bank 2019 Bayley won the Money in the Bank contract in a Money in the Bank ladder match by defeating Natalya, Dana Brooke, Naomi, Nikki Cross, Mandy Rose, Ember Moon and Carmella. That same night Bayley cashed in her Money in the Bank contract and defeated Charlotte Flair to win the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship.
Personal life
Martinez cites Randy Savage, The Rock, The Hardy Boyz, Lita, Ivory, Victoria and Triple H as her influences in wrestling. She enjoys juggling, pogo sticking and playing basketball.
In wrestling
- Finishers
- As Bayley
- Bayley to Belly / Hug-Plex (Belly to belly Suplex)
- Bayley Elbow Drop (Diving elbow drop) — adopted from Randy Savage
- Scissored armbar – 2015
- (Arm Trap Headlock Driver) 2019 - present
- As Davina Rose
- Rose Plant (Arm Trap Headlock Driver)
- with Sasha Banks
- Double knee backbreaker (Banks) into Bayley to Belly (Bayley)
- As Bayley
- Signature moves
- Bayleycanrana (Super frankensteiner, sometimes inverted)
- Diving back elbow, sometimes while performing a corkscrew
- Multiple suplex variations
- Belly-to-back Bayleyplex (Exploder, sometimes into the ring turnbuckle) German
- Running back elbow to a cornered opponent, often preceded by a running turnbuckle thrust with theatrics
- Guillotine choke with bodyscissors, rarely used as a finisher
- Headscissors armbar to a bent over opponent
- Tag teams and stables
- Boss 'n' Hug Connection - w/ Sasha Banks
- B'N'B - w/ Finn Bálor
- Entrance themes
- "Boyfriend" (Instrumental) by Hollywood Music (NXT; June 12, 2013 - September 4, 2014)
- "Turn It Up" by CFO$ (NXT; September 11, 2014 – Present)
Championships and accomplishments
- NXT
- NXT Women's Championship (1 time)
- NXT Year-End Award (2 times)
- Female Competitor of the Year (2015)
- Match of the Year (2015)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Match of the Year (2015) vs. Sasha Banks at NXT TakeOver: Respect
- PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (2016)
- PWI ranked her #47 in the 2013 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #19 in the 2014 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #11 in the 2015 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #5 in the 2016 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #5 in the 2017 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #17 in the 2018 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI ranked her #6 in the 2019 PWI Top 100 Females
See also
External links
| 2015 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Nikki Bella • Paige • Sasha Banks • Santana Garrett • Gail Kim • Charlotte • Naomi • Cherry Bomb • Courtney Rush • Taryn Terrell • Bayley • Brie Bella • Sexy Star • Cheerleader Melissa • Lufisto • Nicole Matthews • Becky Lynch • Kimber Lee • Natalya • Jessicka Havok • Awesome Kong • Candice LeRae • Brooke • Athena • Ivelisse • Jade • Madison Rayne • Leva Bates • Barbi Hayden • Angelina Love • Emma • Saraya Knight • Veda Scott • Velvet Sky • Madison Eagles • Kay Lee Ray • Marti Belle • Kellie Skater • Nikki Storm • Evie • Heidi Lovelace • Tessa Blanchard • Portia Perez • Alicia Fox • Cat Power • Crazy Mary Dobson • Xandra Bale • La Rosa Negra • Malia Hosaka • Vanessa Kraven |
| 2016 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Charlotte Flair • Sasha Banks • Asuka • Becky Lynch • Bayley • Jade • Natalya • Gail Kim • Sexy Star • Sienna • Ivelisse • Madison Eagles • Nicole Savoy • Rosemary • Allie • Nicole Matthews • Kimber Lee • Candice LeRae • Paige • Heidi Lovelace • Evie • Cheerleader Melissa • Nia Jax • Santana Garrett • Naomi • Dana Brooke • Madison Rayne • Kay Lee Ray • Alexa Bliss • Lufisto • Amber Gallows • Marti Belle • Emma • Taylor Made • Vanessa Kraven • Su Yung • Ember Moon • Tessa Blanchard • Jessicka Havok • Shayna Baszler • Crazy Mary Dobson • Malia Hosaka • Thunder Rosa • Carmella • KC Spinelli • Veda Scott • Jessica James • Xandra Bale • Kaitlin Diemond • Eva Marie |
| 2017 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Asuka • Charlotte Flair • Alexa Bliss • Sasha Banks • Bayley • Io Shirai • Natalya • Sienna • Naomi • Kairi Sane • Mercedes Martinez • Shayna Baszler • Rosemary • LuFisto • Mayu Iwantani • Mia Yim • Allie • Ember Moon • Becky Lynch • Madison Eagles • Nicole Savoy • Nia Jax • Candice LeRae • Toni Storm • Hiroyo Matsumoto • Chelsea Green • Saraya Knight • Shazza McKenzie • Kay Lee Ray • Mickie James • Dakota Kai • Nicole Matthews • Alex Windsor • Deonna Purrazzo • Abbey Laith • Risa Sera • Viper • Carmella • Ruby Riot • Nikki Cross • Vanessa Kraven • Santana Garrett • Tessa Blanchard • Arisa Nakajima • Lady Lory • Shotzi Blackheart • Veda Scott • Alpha Female • Marti Belle • Zoey Skye |
