The Women’s Intercontinental Championship match for SummerSlam is now official. Lyra Valkyria will challenge her rival, champion Becky Lynch, for the title during the two-night event on August 2nd and 3rd. Valkyria cemented her status as the number-one contender following a significant victory on the July 14 episode of WWE RAW.
Valkyria secured her championship opportunity by defeating Bayley in a grueling 2-out-of-3 Falls match. Bayley captured the first fall early in the contest with a roll-up. Valkyria fought back to even the score nine minutes in, also with a roll-up, before the match intensified. After surviving a sunset flip powerbomb onto the steel steps, Valkyria countered Bayley’s crossface submission, hitting her Nightwing finisher for the decisive third fall and the win.
According to a report from The Wrestling Observer, Valkyria’s victory represents a significant change in direction. The original plan was reportedly for Bayley to challenge Lynch at SummerSlam. The change has drawn some frustrated reactions from fans, as it means Bayley will miss another major event.
This upcoming title bout is the next chapter in a deeply personal and bitter feud. Lynch returned from an 11-month absence at WrestleMania 41 to team with then-champion Valkyria, only to viciously attack her after they lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Lynch then captured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Valkyria at Money in the Bank, using a handful of tights to secure the controversial victory. The issue remained unresolved after Lynch pinned Bayley, not Valkyria, in a Triple Threat match at Evolution.
The championship encounter will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Due to the intense history between the two, there is speculation that a stipulation, such as a Ladder Match, could be added to what is expected to be the final confrontation in their rivalry.