Tommy Dreamer’s comparison between Roxanne Perez and Bayley highlights an intriguing parallel in the evolution of both WWE Superstars. Dreamer points out that Bayley, who eventually became one of WWE’s most beloved and successful women’s wrestlers, had a similar journey to Perez’s early career. Both women started as bubbly, underdog babyfaces with a passion for the business, engaging with the WWE Universe and showing up to appearances long before they ever set foot in the ring full-time.
Bayley’s rise to fame as a lovable character took time, and Dreamer’s recollection of her eventual heel turn is especially telling. Her transformation into the brash, confident “Role Model” marked a pivotal moment in her career, which has now solidified her as a multiple-time champion and a future Hall of Famer. The transformation was so impactful that it’s easy to see how Perez might follow in her footsteps, considering how she’s already shown a depth of character.
Perez, who made her NXT debut in 2022, began as a fresh-faced babyface, but much like Bayley, she eventually embraced a heel persona in early 2024. Her heel turn was strategically timed with her second NXT Women’s Championship reign, and it demonstrated her ability to adapt and evolve as a character. The parallel between the two becomes even more evident when considering that Perez began her career at a younger age than Bayley, yet both women’s journeys seem to follow a similar arc—starting with innocent, fan-favorite personas before transitioning into something far more complex.
Given that Dreamer sees this as “just the beginning” for Perez, it’s clear that there’s high regard for her potential to continue evolving in WWE. As Perez’s post-title-reign direction begins to unfold, it will be interesting to see if Bayley plays a role in guiding or challenging her, either in mentorship or rivalry. With both Superstars having such similar beginnings, a showdown between them down the line could be a major highlight in the NXT Women’s Division and beyond.