Former WWE head writer Vince Russo has openly expressed strong disappointment in Becky Lynch’s performance during a recent RAW episode. The Women’s Intercontinental Champion was involved in a tense confrontation with Lyra Valkyria ahead of their highly anticipated SummerSlam match. Russo focused on Lynch’s handling of the Kendo stick offense delivered by Valkyria, critiquing what he saw as a major mistake in her in-ring presentation.
The incident on RAW and Russo’s perspective
Over several weeks, Lynch and Valkyria have been engaged in a heated rivalry culminating in their latest encounter on RAW. When Valkyria struck Lynch repeatedly with a Kendo stick, Russo observed that Lynch did not try to shield herself as one might expect in a real fight. Instead, Lynch appeared to invite the hits, which Russo found unrealistic and distracting for viewers.
“I got to tell you, with Becky, man, like I’m watching this whole segment. Bro, every time Lyra is lighting Becky up with the Kendo stick, she’s going like this… Are you freaking serious? You’re blatantly going like this for her to hit you. That’s not what somebody would be doing.”
—Vince Russo, Former WWE Head Writer
Russo elaborated on this by addressing the expectations of different audience segments, explaining that while hardcore wrestling fans praise Lynch as a skilled worker, her lack of subtlety in portraying physical responses undermines the realism of the scene and risks alienating casual viewers.
“I’m watching this, and I’m like, this is what drives me crazy. When we take for granted, people that can’t punch are great workers. Becky Lynch is a great worker. That’s a great worker? Bro, if somebody’s beating you with a baseball bat, you’re not doing this. And bro, if you talk about the nuances. It’s that stuff that takes you out of it.” [From 35:22 onwards]
—Vince Russo, Former WWE Head Writer
Upcoming SummerSlam match and stakes involved
Becky Lynch is set to defend her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria at SummerSlam. The two competitors have agreed on a high-stakes stipulation: if Valkyria is defeated, she will not receive any further title shots against Lynch. This agreement adds additional tension to their already intense rivalry as they prepare for the pay-per-view event.
Impact of Russo’s criticism on Becky Lynch’s portrayal
Vince Russo’s harsh remarks highlight ongoing concerns about in-ring realism and presentation for performers like Becky Lynch, who are trusted with spotlight roles. Such critiques could influence how Lynch’s style and performance are received by fans and critics alike, especially in high-profile bouts like SummerSlam. It remains to be seen whether Lynch or WWE will adjust her approach to better align with audience expectations for believable physical storytelling in wrestling matches.
