Becky Lynch returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41. (Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
WWE Backlash 2025 was more than just a match for Becky Lynch. It was a shot at triumphant singles return for “The Man.”
Recently heralded as the greatest women’s wrestler in WWE history, Lynch went to St. Louis with the goal of adding another impressive accolade to her resume. But even multiple Manhandle Slam finishers couldn’t prevent her friend-turned-foe Lyra Valkyria from retaining the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Backlash.
After a stellar back-and-forth battle, Valkyria, fighting through what Raw announcer Michael Cole speculated was a broken nose, surprised Lynch with a quick and crafty pin to beat her former mentor. It was, far and away, the biggest win of Valkyria’s main roster career.
But Lynch’s loss was the latest shocking development in what has been a whirlwind of a comeback for former women’s champion.
Not even one month ago, Lynch, after finally signing a new contract, returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41 as Valkyria’s surprise tag team partner against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Ireland’s top two stars would defeat Morgan and Rodriguez to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship only to lose the titles right back to Morgan and Rodriguez the next night on the Raw after WrestleMania 41.
But that wasn’t all. That tag title loss just 24 hours after their big win prompted Lynch to viciously attack Valkyria and turn heel in the process.
Lynch was unfairly criticized as “Becky Hogan” for her return and immediate tag title win, a reference to the legendary Hulk Hogan’s penchant for constantly winning titles. Yet, this was a classic case of a kneejerk reaction from WWE fans who were unwilling to let the story play out.
The story? In storyline, Lynch wants to prove that she’s the best women’s wrestler ever and, more specifically, that she’s better than the upstart Valkyria. In real life, Lynch wants to use her star power to elevate not just Valkyria herself but the Women’s Intercontinental title and the women’s division as a whole, too.
At WWE Backlash 2025, Lynch was on the cusp of accomplishing that goal when she blasted Valkyria with a Manhandle Slam not once but twice. Had Lynch won? That would have been a booking decision that critics will call a power move by Lynch.
But no, that’s not what it is. Not at all. Lynch lost and immediately got her heat back by attacking Valkyria, clearly signifying that their feud will continue.
Prior to Lynch’s return, Valkyria’s run as the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion was, well, completely forgettable. Valkyria was rarely featured, hardly pushed, and never got a true chance to show off any type of personality or passion.
Enter Lynch, and things have changed quickly. At WWE Backlash 2025, Lynch’s loss and subsequent attack on Valkyria is helping the latter immensely.
Valkyria is emerging as a plucky underdog, and in order for her to fully become a beloved fan favorite, she needs to overcome the odds. As champion in the midst of a lackluster title reign, Valkyria was fighting an uphill battle to win fan support because of a mix of poor storytelling and a lack of a top heel to overcome.
Now, however, Lynch, enraged by her loss at WWE Backlash, is the heel WWE needs to take both Valkyria and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to the next level. As always, that won’t sit well with some of WWE’s most passionate fans, but it’s the hard truth.
Lynch is exactly what the Women’s IC title needs, and the whole division will be better off after WWE Backlash 2025, with Lynch elevating everyone and everyone involved in this now compelling storyline.