Bayley promotes released WWE Superstar backstage ahead of SmackDown

Bayley has paid tribute to a former WWE Superstar ahead of tonight's edition of SmackDown. Tonight's show is the first episode of the blue brand following Clash at the Castle and will air live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

Ahead of tonight's show, Bayley was spotted wearing the t-shirt of a released WWE star. Mustafa Ali was let go by the company last year but has been thriving ever since. The Illinois-born star is the reigning X Division Champion in TNA Wrestling.

Bayley took to her Instagram story to share an image of herself in a Mustafa Ali t-shirt and noted that they were in Chicago tonight for SmackDown. You can check out her message in the image below or by clicking here:

"When in Chicago.", she wrote.

Bayley sends a message to Mustafa Ali on Instagram.

The former leader of Damage CTRL was in action this past Saturday night at Clash at the Castle. She successfully defended her WWE Women's Championship against Piper Niven despite Chelsea Green trying to interfere several times.

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Bayley shares what she wants to see from WWE SmackDown star

Jade Cargill debuted for WWE last year on the Kickoff Show for Fastlane and has already made an impact on the main roster. She captured the Women's Tag Team Championships with Bianca Belair, but the duo dropped the titles to The Unholy Union at Clash at the Castle this past Saturday.

Speaking with Sportskeeda Wrestling's Bill Apter in an exclusive interview in April, Bayley discussed what she wanted to see from the former AEW star moving forward. She said that she takes the wrestling business personally, and wants to see Cargill be consistent, have a great work ethic, and establish a connection with the WWE Universe.

"I'm excited to have her. I think she's a very unique performer. Obviously, she has the look, so I'm interested to see what she brings to the division because I'm all about watching the division grow and what you can bring to the table, and I need to see consistency, I need to see you out there working, and I need to see that connection with the fans because I take this very personally." [2:23 – 2:44]

You can check out her comments in the video below:

Bayley also recently shared that she believes there is another level she can get to and this year will define her career. Only time will tell who steps up to the 35-year-old next on the blue brand.