AJ Lee retained the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Bayley on Monday Night Raw, submitting her with the Black Widow. Moments later, Becky Lynch attacked Lee from behind, sending her into the LED board and hitting her in the face with the championship belt, setting up what appears to be a WrestleMania 42 rematch.
Lynch lost the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to Lee at the Elimination Chamber in Chicago last month. The two have been feuding for months, with Lee’s return to WWE after an 11-year absence culminating in her winning the title from Lynch in her hometown. Monday’s attack suggests Lynch is far from done with Lee and is positioning herself for a championship rematch at WrestleMania 42.
The Match
Lee and Bayley put on a technical showcase with multiple near falls on both sides. Bayley controlled stretches of the match with a cutter in the ropes, a suplex, and strikes in the corner. Lee fought back with clotheslines, a spinning heel kick, and an Asai DDT for a near fall.
Bayley locked in a Maple Leaf and hit a running knee for a near fall. She pulled Lee off the turnbuckles and connected with a belly-to-belly suplex for another close two count. The two traded slaps and slammed each other’s heads into the mat. Lee hit a back heel kick and a Shining Wizard. Bayley countered a Black Widow attempt into a side slam and went up top for the elbow drop but missed. Lee locked in the Black Widow for a second time and Bayley tapped out.
After the match, Lee offered her hand and Bayley hugged her. Lee raised Bayley’s hand before Bayley left the ring.
Becky Lynch Attacks
With her back to the entrance while celebrating with fans at ringside, Lee was blindsided by Lynch. Lynch sent Lee into the LED board, threw her to the floor, kicked her in the back, and drove her into the railing. Officials escorted Lynch away, but she returned to deliver a final shot, hitting Lee in the face with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship belt before leaving.
WrestleMania 42 Implications
Lee won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Lynch at Elimination Chamber in February, submitting Lynch with the Black Widow in Lee’s hometown of Chicago. It was Lee’s first championship in WWE since 2014 and came 11 years after she retired from professional wrestling. Lynch has not received a rematch for the title since losing it.
Monday’s attack makes it clear that Lynch is coming for the championship, and a WrestleMania 42 rematch appears to be the likely destination. If officially announced, it would be the first singles WrestleMania match for both women against each other.
Lee is a three-time Divas Champion and former Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Lynch is a two-time Raw Women’s Champion, former SmackDown Women’s Champion, and won the main event of WrestleMania 35.
WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
