WWE star Becky Lynch is preparing to defend her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against AJ Lee at the upcoming Elimination Chamber event, with rumors suggesting a possible rematch between them at WrestleMania 42. While this rivalry has captured significant attention, the focus on AJ Lee as Lynch’s future dethroner overlooks a more deserving candidate — Lyra Valkyria, who stands out as the rightful challenger for Lynch’s title.
Following her loss of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship last year, Lyra Valkyria, known as The Bird Lady, has struggled to regain her momentum, drifting aimlessly on RAW with her career trajectory declining. WWE needs a strong breakthrough moment for Valkyria to revive her status, and capturing the championship from Lynch would serve as the perfect catalyst to restore her prominence.
Both Lynch and Valkyria share a rich history, having engaged in one of the most compelling rivalries within the women’s division in 2025. Unlike AJ Lee, a highly decorated veteran who no longer requires championship gold to bolster her legacy, Valkyria represents the future of the division and needs the boost from dethroning a star of Lynch’s caliber to reestablish herself as a main event player.
The long-term interests of WWE would benefit more by elevating Valkyria rather than handing the title over to a part-time veteran like AJ Lee. This strategy aligns with WWE’s goal of building fresh talent and preparing rising stars for top billing. At 29 years old, Valkyria is positioned to become a future world champion, and regaining the Women’s Intercontinental Title would cement her as a contender at the highest level.
Moreover, the previous stipulation that prevented Valkyria from challenging Lynch for the title after SummerSlam 2025 seems no longer applicable. With Lynch on her second and current reign, this could open the door for Valkyria to formally pursue the championship once again.
The Final Phase of Becky Lynch and AJ Lee’s Ongoing Rivalry
Since September last year, Becky Lynch and AJ Lee have been locked in a fierce rivalry, competing in multiple high-profile matches including at Wrestlepalooza and Survivor Series: WarGames. This prolonged conflict appears to be nearing its conclusion, likely culminating at WrestleMania 42.
Despite AJ Lee’s recent dominance in their encounters—winning against Lynch in the Mixed Tag Team Match at Wrestlepalooza and later defeating her in the Women’s Survivor Series match—Lynch’s journey has been marred by setbacks. Lee also played a crucial role in costing Lynch the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Madison Square Garden, further shifting momentum away from Lynch.
Given these continual obstacles, the logical resolution to their feud lies in Lynch reclaiming her status with a decisive victory over Lee. Securing a win against the Black Widow would restore Lynch’s credibility and put an emphatic end to the series of defeats that have undermined her standing. This outcome would serve as poetic justice for Lynch, offering her the final laugh after enduring numerous hardships throughout their conflict.
Why Lyra Valkyria Should Be WWE’s Next Women’s Intercontinental Champion
WWE’s immediate priority should be to enhance the careers of promising talents rather than rely on part-time stars for headline moments. Lyra Valkyria embodies the future of the women’s division and could greatly benefit from a championship victory over Becky Lynch, who remains a top figure in the promotion.
Valkyria’s previous title reign and intensely competitive matches with Lynch demonstrate her capability to carry the championship and draw attention to the women’s division. Reigniting her career with a meaningful victory at this stage would reinforce WWE’s commitment to elevating younger stars over established veterans whose careers have largely peaked.
This strategic pivot would not only progress Valkyria’s individual journey but also invigorate the division as a whole, setting the stage for fresh rivalries and greater storytelling opportunities heading into the next phase of WWE programming.
“Beating Lee would serve as poetic justice for Lynch after months of setbacks and embarrassment against the former.” – unnamed source
