The Women’s Intercontinental Championship has experienced a shift this past Saturday at the Money in the Bank Premium Live event, with Lyla Valkyria losing her title to Becky Lynch. This leads to an important question: what comes next for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and for both Lynch and Valkyria?
Frankly, I believe Valkyria will be just fine. Despite the loss, her performance in that match showcased her strength as a wrestler. This rivalry with Lynch has revealed a more aggressive side of Valkyria’s character, enhancing her presence in the ring. She may likely aim for the title again at SummerSlam, as it’s the next big event on WWE’s calendar. However, I doubt she will reclaim the title. As the inaugural female Intercontinental champion, Valkyria has established herself and can transition to new storylines.
So, who might Lynch face next? Bailey seems like the most logical contender. Lynch’s heel turn began in 2025 when she eliminated Bailey from contention for WrestleMania 41, and it can be argued that she also took Valkyria away from her. Prior to WrestleMania 41, Bailey and Valkyria had a strong mentor-mentee dynamic, and the chemistry between them was evident. Lynch’s actions could certainly provoke Bailey, who would have every reason to target both Lynch and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Does Bailey need a mid-card title at this stage in her career? Not necessarily, but neither does Lynch.
However, Bailey’s return and potential matchup with Lynch is unlikely to materialize until after SummerSlam, as she currently has no clear path back. Even with Bailey’s resurgence, I don’t foresee her claiming victory over Lynch at any point soon. Lynch could hold onto the title for over a year before eventually dropping it to Bailey.
Let’s not forget about Lynch’s previous reign as the "NXT" women’s champion. During that time, she effectively used her title to elevate underutilized wrestlers, such as Tegan Nox, Indi Hartwell, and Natalya. Given this history, it’s likely that Lynch will leverage her champion status again to spotlight more emerging talents like Kairi Sane, Maxxine Dupri, and Ivy Nile.
Overall, the future of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship appears promising. With opportunities to uplift lesser-known wrestlers and the anticipated clash between Bailey and Lynch looming, this title is certainly one to watch in the upcoming months.
Fan Take: This development is significant for wrestling fans as it signals a potential resurgence of women’s wrestling and storytelling in WWE. The elevation of less-recognized talents alongside marquee rivalries could lead to more compelling and varied matchups.
