AJ Lee vs Becky Lynch result set the tone early at WrestleMania 42, where tension between two eras of WWE finally found its breaking point. The Women’s Intercontinental Championship was on the line. Lynch arrived with something to prove, determined to reclaim the ground she felt had shifted beneath her. Across the ring stood AJ Lee, the champion, carrying both momentum and the weight of a long-awaited return.The atmosphere inside Allegiant Stadium had a different kind of energy for this one. Becky entered to a live performance by The Wonder Years, while AJ Lee’s entrance leaned into nostalgia, leading a wave of young fans dressed in her image.
Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee: Here’s how The Man secured the IC Title
Becky Lynch pushed the pace, forcing AJ Lee to absorb early pressure while referee Jessika Carr kept a close eye on every move. Lynch’s aggression stood out, even drawing a sharp reaction when she tried to expose the top turnbuckle. Carr stepped in quickly, calling her “insane” as she fixed it, setting the tone for a tense dynamic between them.AJ responded in bursts. A missile dropkick from the top rope nearly swung the match her way, and moments later, she landed a Manhandle Slam for a close count that had the crowd on edge. The momentum shifted again when Lee locked in the Black Widow, forcing Lynch into survival mode. Becky found a way out, but frustration spilled over. She got in Carr’s face, and the official pushed back, adding another layer of chaos.Later, Lynch pulled Carr into position as AJ charged, leaving the referee briefly out of the equation. It was enough. Becky drove Lee headfirst into the now-exposed turnbuckle, the same one she had worked on earlier. Seconds later, she followed with the Manhandle Slam and secured the pin.The win marked Lynch’s third reign as Women’s Intercontinental Champion, making her the only woman to hold the title more than once, let alone three times. It also underlined her reputation for doing whatever it takes when the stakes are highest.
AJ Lee faces her first defeat in 11 years
For AJ Lee, the loss also created a not-so-good record. WrestleMania 42 marked her first appearance at the event in over a decade, and her first singles match on that stage. Her return had already resonated with fans, which she acknowledged before the event. “I knew that coming back was the right decision because of my fans,” Lee said. “This really loyal fanbase who watched me from day one, were a part of the mission statement of underdogs for the win and stuck with me, and were waiting for me to come back. And… to be able to give them a title run and a Mania match, has been incredibly meaningful.”Her defeat ended an unbeaten WrestleMania run that dated back to 2015. It also closed a short but memorable title reign that lasted 49 days, including a successful defense against Bayley on Raw. Even in defeat, the connection with the crowd never wavered. The response to her entrance and every near fall told that story clearly.
