Lyra Valkyria discusses her heated rivalry with Becky Lynch ahead of WWE Backlash.
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria is gearing up for a high-stakes match against Becky Lynch at WWE Backlash. In a recent interview with The Takedown on Sports Illustrated, Valkyria reflected on her evolving relationship with Becky Lynch.
“She liked being the idol. Even as far back as NXT, she was very helpful and gave a lot of advice. And then when she came down to NXT later, she liked being the one that was in the higher position.”
Valkyria believes the guidance she received from Lynch faded as she began to make her own mark. “And then I came up to the main roster and that advice and that warmth just disappeared. And then I started to do a lot of cool things and she took some time off. I defended this title more than she’s been at work this past year.”
“But look, Becky’s great. She’s talked herself into every opportunity she’s ever had, no matter who that hurts. That’s what she’s always been good at. I don’t think she likes that I’m now on the same platform and you saw on Monday that I’m not going to be stood on. I’m not here to be a super fan. I’ve learned I’m not here to be humble. I’m not here to be ‘okay, yeah, whatever you think is best.’ Like, I don’t care. I’ve seen people try. I’ve seen how people get ahead and I’m not having it. So at Backlash, I’m going to prove that.”
Lyra Valkyria reflects on the reality of idolizing Becky Lynch
Despite their differences, Lyra Valkyria has gained insight from Becky Lynch’s career. Though their relationship has become strained, she views the upcoming challenge as a learning opportunity.
“She’s the one that broke all the glass ceilings,” Valkyria said. “Like an Irish girl that went and didn’t just succeed, but she smashed the ceilings and did it all. So, I kind of had an idea of what she’d be like and it’s been quite different. But, there’s also a learning experience in that. Like, even the people you look up to most, they’re not going to always be exactly as you expect them to be. So that in itself is a learning process. I also think that works for me, because I’ve always been the best with trial by fire, so having to stand up for myself and really put myself on the map, there’s a learning experience in that as well.”
Lyra Valkyria discusses her WWE NXT rivalry with Becky Lynch
In 2023, Becky Lynch returned to WWE NXT with the intention of helping the women’s division. She also won the NXT Women’s Championship and later faced Lyra Valkyria. The two competed at Halloween Havoc, where Valkyria secured the victory. Reflecting on this rivalry, Valkyria said, “If you go back as far as NXT, obviously, the goal then was the NXT Women’s Championship. I wanted to be the first Irish NXT Women’s Champion. That was my thing. And then when Becky came back to NXT, that got taken away, and I did feel like, that was going to be my first. You’ve already had so many firsts. Why did you come back? I thought at the time it was to help me, but now I saw Becky’s real personality come through.
“But, she can’t take away that (the Women’s IC title belt, which she points to on her shoulder). This was my first, which is massive, and I feel like that was a big focal point of her return. So we’ll see what happens now with Backlash. But, nothing can take away that I was the first ever Irish person to hold this title. She can’t take that away.”
Read More: Lyra Valkyria: Becky Lynch Inspired Me, That Goes Out The Window At Halloween Havoc
