On January 5, 2026, the first WWE RAW of the year brought stunning moments as Becky Lynch wins on RAW, reclaiming the Women’s Intercontinental Championship in a dramatic showdown with Maxxine Dupri. The fast-paced episode, filmed live with a packed arena, saw several title changes and the arrival of new faces on the red brand, shaking up the landscape as the new year kicked off.
Unexpected Title Loss Stuns the WWE Universe
The night’s spotlight fell on the highly anticipated Women’s Intercontinental Championship bout featuring Becky Lynch and Maxxine Dupri. Lynch, also known as “The Man,” had previously underestimated Dupri, an Alpha Academy standout, giving her multiple chances and inadvertently fueling Dupri’s drive. In a twist that kept the audience on its toes, AJ Lee made an unannounced appearance during their earlier encounters, further intensifying the animosity between the two competitors.
Match Highlights and Title Controversy
Since her initial defeat, Becky Lynch publicly voiced frustrations with several WWE officials, specifically calling out referee Jessica Carr and accusing General Manager Petty Pearce and leadership of unfairly stripping her of the coveted title. However, in the much-awaited rematch, Lynch’s aggressive offense met strong resistance from Dupri, who showed remarkable resilience—a result of her recent training with veteran competitor Natalya.
Throughout the contest, Dupri nearly forced Lynch to submit with an ankle lock, demonstrating significant improvement and tactical prowess. Nevertheless, Lynch managed to escape each submission attempt. In a climatic sequence, Lynch masterfully reversed the ankle hold and executed a pin, skillfully using the ring ropes for leverage.
“Becky gets the WIN! 🏆 @BeckyLynchWWE is now a 2x Women’s Intercontinental Champion! pic.twitter.com/T2bMrlWeCv”— WWE (@WWE)
Aftermath: Becky Lynch Celebrates as Dupri’s Title Reign Ends
With this controversial victory, Becky Lynch became a two-time Women’s Intercontinental Champion, ending Maxxine Dupri’s 48-day run at the top. The outcome left fans buzzing, with many debating Lynch’s tactics and celebrating her return to championship status. Other major storylines also unfolded on the same card, including the World Heavyweight Championship clash between Bron Breakker and CM Punk, and the Women’s Tag Team Match featuring Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, and the Kabuki Warriors.
This result signals fresh rivalries and heightened competition on WWE RAW for 2026, with Becky Lynch’s win sure to impact the women’s division and spark new challenges as the road to future events begins.
Becky gets the WIN! 🏆 @BeckyLynchWWE is now a 2x Women's Intercontinental Champion! pic.twitter.com/T2bMrlWeCv
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026
