ST. LOUIS — The wrestling world is buzzing, and it’s not just the Midwest humidity. Becky Lynch, the Irish firebrand who’s been slinging punches and sharp words in WWE for over a decade, is stepping back into the spotlight. She’s set to face Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at WWE Backlash 2025, slated for May 10 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. This isn’t just another match—it’s a grudge-fueled showdown that’s been brewing since WrestleMania 41, and it’s got fans on edge.
Lynch, who returned to WWE in a blaze of controversy on April 20, hasn’t been one to tiptoe. At WrestleMania 41, she replaced an injured Bayley, teaming with Valkyria to snag the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships from Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. The victory was short-lived. Just 24 hours later, on the April 21 episode of Monday Night Raw, The Judgment Day duo reclaimed the titles. What happened next shocked the WWE Universe: Lynch, frustrated and seething, turned on Valkyria, attacking her in a post-match brawl that left jaws on the floor. The betrayal marked Lynch’s heel turn, a shift to the dark side that’s had fans and analysts dissecting every move.
Fast forward to April 28, and the tension boiled over on Raw. Lynch took the mic, owning up to her actions. She admitted to orchestrating the backstage attack on Bayley during WrestleMania weekend, a calculated move to steal the spotlight and settle old scores. Bayley, she claimed, had been a thorn in her side for too long, and Valkyria’s alliance with her made her a target. Valkyria, the reigning Women’s Intercontinental Champion since January 13, didn’t back down. She stormed the ring, challenging Lynch to a title match at Backlash. Lynch, never one to dodge a fight, agreed on the spot. A chaotic brawl erupted, with Valkyria briefly getting the upper hand before Lynch landed a cheap shot, cementing the stakes.
This title bout is one of three confirmed matches for Backlash 2025. John Cena will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a hometown showdown for The Viper. Meanwhile, Pat McAfee faces Gunther in a grudge match sparked by a recent Raw altercation. Lynch vs. Valkyria, though, carries a personal edge. The Women’s Intercontinental Championship, introduced earlier this year, has been Valkyria’s pride since she won it in a tournament final against Dakota Kai. Lynch, a seven-time women’s world champion and former tag team titleholder, is gunning to add this new belt to her resume.
The road to this match hasn’t been smooth. Lynch’s WWE contract expired in June 2024, leading to a nearly year-long hiatus. Rumors swirled about her future until Fightful reported on January 7, 2025, that she’d inked a new deal. Her WrestleMania return, orchestrated by Lynch herself according to Wrestling Observer Live, was a masterclass in shock value: win the tag titles, lose them, betray her partner—all in 48 hours. Now, she’s hell-bent on proving she’s still “The Man,” even as a villain.
Backlash 2025, airing live on May 10, marks WWE’s first major premium live event post-WrestleMania 41. Tickets are already on sale, and the Enterprise Center is expected to be packed. Lynch and Valkyria, both hailing from Ireland, share a mentor-student history, making this clash as personal as it gets. No other matches have been announced for the card as of April 29, but WWE’s Netflix debut for Raw has kept the hype machine running hot.