AJ Lee is a champion for the first time in more than 11 years.
Lee appeared in her adopted hometown of Chicago to challenge Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The bout was the second match of the night at WWE Elimination Chamber.
Referee Jessika Carr took a bump during the match and remained down for an extended period. Lynch took advantage of the situation, bringing a steel chair into the ring before exposing a turnbuckle.
Becky Lynch then planted AJ Lee with a Manhandle Slam, but the former WWE Divas Champion kicked out. A stunned Lynch attempted to shove Lee face-first into the exposed steel turnbuckle, only to be stopped by the referee.
An irate Lynch argued with Carr before turning her focus back to Lee. After several more physical exchanges, Lynch charged at Lee but instead went face-first into the exposed turnbuckle. Lee capitalized by applying the Black Widow submission hold, forcing her opponent to tap out.
As AJ Lee celebrated her Women’s Intercontinental Championship victory, commentator Michael Cole noted that she had defeated Becky Lynch three times in less than six months. The win marked Lee’s first championship reign since 2014, when she held the WWE Divas Championship.
As for Becky Lynch, whether the shenanigans will lead to her calling out Jessika Carr for a potential match at WrestleMania 42 remains to be seen. Lynch and Carr have been teasing a feud for months, with Lynch complaining about alleged mistreatment on social media.
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