Bayley, after several weeks away from WWE television, has drawn attention by sending a direct social media message to LJ Cleary, who is engaged to Lyra Valkyria. The exchange has fueled new interest in Lyra Valkyria WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion news, coming at a tense time for the women’s division.
Originally, Bayley was scheduled to form a tag team with Lyra Valkyria to compete at WrestleMania 41. The pair were set to challenge Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. However, those plans changed abruptly when Becky Lynch intervened at the last moment, launching an attack that left Bayley unable to participate. In Bayley’s absence, Lynch—known as The Man—teamed with Valkyria and ultimately claimed the tag titles at the event, a development that has intensified the ongoing drama between the competitors.
Soon after, Bayley resurfaced on Instagram following a training session with LJ Cleary. She shared a story featuring a two-word message for Cleary, which quickly captured attention among fans and insiders.
“WHAT A GUY 🙌🏻,” wrote Bayley.
Bayley’s brief but striking message prompted discussion, especially considering the current turmoil within the women’s championship scene.
Scrutiny on Lyra Valkyria’s Promo Skills Adds Pressure
Tensions around Lyra Valkyria’s recent performances have grown, with industry veteran Vince Russo criticizing her abilities as a champion, particularly in her promo work. Speaking on Legion of RAW for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Russo expressed doubts about Valkyria’s readiness, emphasizing the challenges posed by changes within WWE such as the reduced frequency of live events.
“If I was the producer, I would tell you by looking at this, she [Valkyria] does not have the tools. She’ll get the tools by pre-taping her [promos] till she gets better. Chris, remember, man, there are no house shows anymore. They’re not getting reps. That is the only promo Lyra Valkyria is cutting all week. Imagine a baseball player like getting in a batting cage once a week. That’s the problem, bro, that they can’t cut these promos at house shows. They do it once a week, and it’s not enough,” Russo said.
Despite the critical remarks, Valkyria has fended off multiple challengers as the reigning WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, most notably defeating Becky Lynch at the Backlash 2025 Premium Live Event. Their heated rivalry remains unresolved, as both women are scheduled to clash again during the upcoming Money in the Bank event, setting the stage for further confrontations and speculation.
What Lies Ahead for Valkyria and the WWE Women’s Division
The fallout from Bayley’s absence and her pointed social media activity, paired with public critiques of Valkyria, has deepened questions surrounding the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. As Valkyria prepares for yet another high-stakes defense and her feud with Lynch continues to escalate, the WWE universe is left anticipating new developments. The conflicts among Bayley, Valkyria, and Lynch, as well as the reactions from figures like Vince Russo, highlight a period of intense scrutiny and shifting alliances within the women’s division.
