WWE Would Be Making Major Mistake Giving Up on Bayley

Bayley's most valuable asset is rare and WWE has to recognize that.

The Huggable One simply connects. There are better athletes and better talkers around on the roster, but Bayley creates pathos like few others and forges a deep bond with the audience. 

But apparently, WWE doesn't value her like it should. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer talked of the company's view of Bayley (h/t Jack Snodgrass of Pop Culture). "They have already given up on her," he said. "And they've given up on her a long, long time ago."

That's maddeningly disappointing. 

Bayley was one of NXT's top talents. She was a key part of the rise of the women's division. She's an engaging babyface who makes you want to smile.

Last March, Kyler James of Fightful had high praise for her role as a fan favorite:

She displayed her skills in that department in two NXT classics against Sasha Banks, her losses to Asuka and when she dethroned Charlotte Flair last February. Bayley expertly emotes pain and frustration. She turns on her ferocity in such a way that it's easy to root for her.

WWE needs babyfaces like that. It needs gutsy underdogs to tackle its blackguard and monsters. 

Plus, there may be no character on either Raw or SmackDown in terms of appealing to young girls. Bayley is bubbly and wears bright, colorful ring gear. She's sweet and courageous and enters the ring between two clusters of inflatable tube men. 

She doesn't just reach little girls, though. Heart is a universally appealing trait.

On an anecdotal note, Bayley garnered one of the bigger reactions I've ever seen at the handful of NXT events I've attended. Men and women, kids and hipsters all rose and roared for her.

The problem doesn't lie with Bayley, but her presentation.

WWE hasn't shown that it has a solid grasp of her character. It often portrays her as a dork rather than a warrior. Her rivals regularly dismiss her as a fan who doesn't belong in the ring. 

The rancid "This is Your Life" segment with Alexa Bliss last May was a prime example of all of that.

That whole feud gutted her momentum. Rather than use her battles with Bliss to paint her as a fighting champ who simply fell short, WWE made her look like a doormat. 

It rushed her big moment, too.

Bayley winning the Raw women's title from Flair came too soon in the story. There should have been more uphill climbing beforehand, more heartbreak, more images of her fingers grazing the gold. And it wouldn't have hurt to put her crowning achievement on a grander stage like WrestleMania or SummerSlam.

Aside from a redemption tale, WWE has another great option in what it can do with Bayley moving forward. Her good friend and former rival Banks turning on her is a no-brainer move. They have a special chemistry and have killed it in the ring in the past.

Cageside Seats columnist Sean Rueter wrote after their Iron Man match at TakeOver: Respect: "Bayley and Banks are incredibly gifted artists who will standout even in a muddled presentation. They could be the next Hart and Michaels. But even amidst mediocre Creative, they'll be the next Lita and Trish."

That's what WWE should look to tap into with Bayley.

Pushing her to the side instead would be a mistake. The Huggable One has more drama to create, more emotion to churn up. It's far too early to leave her behind.