Becky Lynch Becomes Three-Time Women's Intercontinental Champion

The Man defeats AJ Lee at WrestleMania 42 to reclaim the title

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:04am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the intense action and rivalry between the two wrestlers, with their figures and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the hard-fought Women's Intercontinental Championship match between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee at WrestleMania 42.Chicago Today

Becky Lynch has regained the Women's Intercontinental Championship, defeating AJ Lee at WrestleMania 42 to become a three-time title holder. The hard-fought match saw tensions between Lynch and referee Jessika Carr, but The Man ultimately prevailed by driving Lee headfirst into an exposed turnbuckle and hitting the Manhandle Slam for the victory.

Why it matters

Becky Lynch's victory ends AJ Lee's six-match undefeated streak that dated back to WrestleMania 31 in 2015. Lee's reign as champion lasted 49 days, with one successful title defense against Bayley. This marks the first time a woman has held the Women's Intercontinental Championship more than once.

The details

The match between Lynch and Lee was a rematch from their bout just a few weeks ago, with Lynch finally overcoming her 'Jessika Carr kryptonite' in the process. Carr and Lynch got into multiple confrontations during the match, with the referee even shoving The Man at one point. Lynch used this to her advantage, pulling Carr in front of a charging Lee to create an opening to hit the decisive Manhandle Slam for the victory.

  • Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee at WrestleMania 42 on April 19, 2026 to become a three-time Women's Intercontinental Champion.
  • Lee's previous reign as champion lasted 49 days, with one successful title defense against Bayley on the March 16, 2026 edition of Monday Night Raw.

The players

Becky Lynch

A three-time Women's Intercontinental Champion, known as 'The Man' in WWE.

AJ Lee

A former Women's Intercontinental Champion, known for her six-match undefeated streak dating back to WrestleMania 31 in 2015.

Jessika Carr

The referee who officiated the match between Lynch and Lee, and had a tense confrontation with Lynch during the bout.

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What they’re saying

“I knew that coming back was the right decision because of my fans. This really loyal fanbase who watched me from day one, were a part of the mission statement of underdogs for the win and stuck with me, and were waiting for me to come back. And... to be able to give them a title run and a Mania match, has been incredibly meaningful.”

— AJ Lee

What’s next

With AJ Lee's reign as Women's Intercontinental Champion coming to an end, the immediate future for the former champion is uncertain. However, a potential on-screen reunion with her long-time friend Paige, who has also recently returned to WWE, could be in the works.

The takeaway

Becky Lynch's victory over AJ Lee at WrestleMania 42 to become a three-time Women's Intercontinental Champion is a significant milestone, as she is the first woman to hold the title more than once. This match also marked the end of Lee's six-match undefeated streak, showcasing the competitive nature of the women's division in WWE.