Tiffany Stratton has identified Becky Lynch as the key figure behind her surge in confidence and subsequent call-up to the main roster. Speaking on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Stratton pinpointed her program with Lynch in NXT, culminating in their match at No Mercy on September 30, 2023, as the turning point in her career.
The acknowledgment comes as Lynch is deeply embedded in one of WWE’s most personal main event storylines, involving her husband, World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, and his rival, CM Punk. Lynch, the current Women’s Intercontinental Champion, recently interfered at WWE Clash in Paris, assaulting Punk to ensure Rollins retained his title. That action has ignited speculation about a potential return for Punk’s wife, AJ Lee, to even the odds.
While Lynch navigates a high-stakes feud, Stratton’s comments shed light on the champion’s role in elevating new talent.
“I definitely would say it was Becky Lynch for me,” Stratton stated. “Becky came down to NXT, and we had a little feud… that time for me was a time where I was doubting myself a lot. But in the very end of it all, I had learned so much and I had gained so much confidence from just being in the ring with Becky Lynch.”
Stratton explained that the experience was transformative, giving her the self-assurance she needed to perform at a higher level.
“It was definitely after the No Mercy match where I was like, ‘Okay, I think I can actually be good at this one day or be like a ring general one day,'” she continued. “Because I was in the ring with Becky and I learned so much. I learned how to like call matches on the fly and work on the fly and stuff like that… I really think No Mercy was the match that put me on the map, and I think, main roster saw potential in me.”
Lynch’s focus now, however, appears to be on future matchups. Following a successful title defense against Nikki Bella at Clash in Paris on August 31, a mixed tag team match is planned for Wrestlepalooza on September 20 in Indianapolis. The match is slated to feature Lynch and Rollins against CM Punk and a returning AJ Lee. Reports indicate that WWE has a contingency partner for Punk in place should negotiations with Lee prove unsuccessful, though there is internal hope her return will not be a one-off appearance.