Becky Lynch is preparing to defend her title at WWE SummerSlam 2025, expressing surprise that it has been three years since she last competed at the event. Lynch, currently holding the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, will face Lyra Valkyria in a high-stakes No Disqualification match this weekend.
Becky Lynch Reflects on Her SummerSlam History and Upcoming Title Defense
Earlier this year, Becky Lynch secured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Money in the Bank, and she is set to defend it at SummerSlam. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Lynch shared her astonishment at not having wrestled at SummerSlam since 2022, when she faced Bianca Belair.
She recalled her memorable debut at the event, noting the significant moments that propelled her career forward, including a notable slap and her return to the ring after becoming a mother. Lynch said,
“It was my first PLE. It was where the infamous slap happened that really catapulted my career. It was also where I came back after I had my daughter and beat Bianca Belair in 26 seconds. And then a year later we were tearing the house down and then fighting side-by-side… I’m kind of blown away that it’s been three years since I wrestled at a SummerSlam,”
illustrating the impact SummerSlam has had on her journey. —Becky Lynch
This year, Lynch faces a formidable challenger in Lyra Valkyria, who earned her spot by defeating Bayley on RAW earlier this month to become the number one contender for the Women’s Intercontinental title. Their upcoming No Disqualification match raises expectations for an intense confrontation at the event.
Industry Veteran Vince Russo Comments on WWE Storylines and Match Build-Up
Despite the anticipation surrounding Lynch’s matchup, wrestling veteran Vince Russo has voiced criticism about the current storytelling approach in WWE. On the Sportskeeda Wrestling podcast Legion of RAW, Russo expressed frustration over the perceived lack of compelling narratives driving championship matches, including the buildup to Lynch vs. Valkyria.
He highlighted a pattern where matches seem disconnected from meaningful storylines, saying,
“That’s it. It’s just everything is just a match, and the winner advances and meets this one. How can you guys collectively not come up with one story? Just one single story, man. Everything is a match to get to a match. Every single thing. And like you said, unless you’re one of these demented Pavlovian mark dogs, we’ve seen this, guys. We’ve seen it over and over and over and over again.”
—Vince Russo
What Lies Ahead for Becky Lynch and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
With the spotlight on Becky Lynch’s much-anticipated SummerSlam return, all eyes will be on her clash against Lyra Valkyria to see if Lynch can maintain her hold on the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The No Disqualification stipulation adds an unpredictable element to their match, promising a fierce competition.
This matchup not only marks a significant moment in Lynch’s career but also sets the tone for the women’s division moving forward in WWE. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to assess how this narrative develops and whether WWE addresses ongoing concerns about storytelling depth in their programming.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Becky Lynch quit the WWE?
A. In the autumn of 2023, Lynch claimed the NXT Women’s Championship, becoming the sixth Women’s Grand Slam Champion in the company’s history. Her contract ended in June 2024, and she hasn’t come back to WWE since then.
