Now, despite my intense, still mixed feelings about Becky Lynch’s WrestleMania 41 night return, I can still admit that Lynch is a “man.” Regardless of the behind-the-scenes drama (if there’s something in the first place), I carefully enjoy Lynch’s current heel persona (and obviously, for Becky Lynchstan, it’s a good thing to bring her back to the TV screen). However, when Lynch and WWE female intercontinental champion Laila Valkyria was verbally hit on Monday’s “WWE Raw,” I found myself enjoying Valkyria’s microphone job much more than Lynch.
Lynch opened the promotional segment on Monday’s episode by dealing with the bailey-sized elephant in the room. After leading the Kansas City crowd with a rather neutral speech, she voiced and proudly confessed that she was the one who attacked Bailey behind the scenes. Honestly, on the surface, it was a rather entertaining moment. A typical behind-the-scenes attack angle is watching several weeks of “Who Dunnit” programming. For example, we’re thinking of Naomi’s attack on Jade Cargill. There’s nothing wrong with that booking, but it’s pretty funny to see Lynch come out and it’s so much fun to proudly declare her guilt. Because of the lack of better conditions it was murdered. I support women’s rights and women’s mistakes.
Joke aside, Lynch’s Mike’s job was as good as ever – amazing. However, given that her feud partner is likely Valkyria, it felt a bit cheated, inappropriately placed and too opposed to Bailey. This may have been very well spiraled into hatred, but Valkyria’s presence saved the segment from the rage of this newswriting nerd.
Valkyria is not known exactly for her work on Mike, but in Monday’s segment there was a huge amount of passion for her promotion. I found myself rooting for Valkyria – I realized I was paying more attention to Valkyria than Becky! She may be a logical option to gather behind her as the babyface of this feud, but as praised as Lynch, it’s hard to get the crowd to turn you over. Valkyria managed to do that – the “managed” surgical word. It’s not easy, it’s what makes it appealing. You could feel how difficult Valkyria is in this promotional segment, and the efforts strengthened the entire segment. Instead of the Lynch/Bayley feud, they pulled us back to the Lynch/Valkyria feud. Valkyria’s grit made her words very effective and attractive, which brought a super authentic character who overcame the “man’s” refined and experienced performance. Valkyria was seriously impressed with me tonight.
I don’t think this feud is the ultimate goal for Lynch (probably just hug us up to Bailey and Lynch on Summerslam), but I’m honestly excited to see where they’ll take this feud. Valkyria is really beginning to bloom as a “raw” superstar, and this program with Lynch can really put the pressure she needs to make diamonds.
Written by Angeline Phu
