Lyra Valkyria Reacts to AJ Lee Winning Women's IC Title, Takes Dig at Becky Lynch

Longtime rival Lyra Valkyria comments on AJ Lee's championship victory over Becky Lynch at Elimination Chamber

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Lyra Valkyria has reacted to her longtime idol, AJ Lee, capturing the Women's Intercontinental Championship at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event this past weekend. Lee returned to singles competition after a decade-plus absence and defeated Becky Lynch, the reigning Women's IC Champion, by forcing her to tap out to the Black Widow submission. Lyra took to social media to congratulate Lee on her victory and took a dig at Lynch, criticizing her "tribute to the Irish gardaí" and failure to "lay down the law" against Lee.

Why it matters

This marks a significant return to the ring for AJ Lee, a former WWE Divas Champion who has been away from singles competition for over a decade. Her victory over the current Women's IC Champion Becky Lynch is sure to shake up the women's division and set the stage for potential future matchups between Lee, Lynch, and Lyra Valkyria, who has been a longtime rival of both women.

The details

At the Elimination Chamber event, AJ Lee made her return to singles competition and challenged Becky Lynch for the Women's Intercontinental Championship. Despite Lynch's best efforts, which included exposing a turnbuckle, kicking the referee, and DDT'ing Lee onto a steel chair, Lee was ultimately able to lock in her signature Black Widow submission move and force Lynch to tap out, capturing the title.

  • AJ Lee returned to singles competition at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event on March 1, 2026.
  • Lee defeated Becky Lynch to capture the Women's Intercontinental Championship at the event.

The players

Lyra Valkyria

A longtime rival of both AJ Lee and Becky Lynch in the WWE women's division.

AJ Lee

A former WWE Divas Champion who has returned to singles competition after a decade-plus absence, defeating Becky Lynch to capture the Women's Intercontinental Championship.

Becky Lynch

The reigning Women's Intercontinental Champion who was defeated by AJ Lee at the Elimination Chamber event.

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What they’re saying

“2026, you're crazy!”

— Lyra Valkyria (Twitter)

“Big fan of @BeckyLynchWWE's tribute to the Irish gardaí at Elimination Chamber; too bad she failed to lay down the law against @TheAJMendez.”

— Lyra Valkyria (Twitter)

What’s next

Becky Lynch has submitted a petition to RAW GM Adam Pearce, demanding the suspension of referee Jessica Carr, who she blames for her loss to AJ Lee. However, Pearce has rejected the demand, leading Lynch to declare that she will now do "things the hard way."

The takeaway

AJ Lee's surprise return and championship victory over Becky Lynch has shaken up the WWE women's division, setting the stage for potential future matchups between Lee, Lynch, and their longtime rival Lyra Valkyria. This marks a significant comeback for Lee, who has been away from singles competition for over a decade, and could lead to a renewed rivalry between the three women.