The last episode of Raw prior to Backlash this Saturday gave some more mic time to the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Lyra Valkyria. First, her Backlash opponent, Becky Lynch, took to the ring. Lynch wasn’t greeted by her normal ruckus of loud cheers as one has grown accustom to. She claims victim in all of this despite being the one who attacked Bayley and then turned on Valkyria.
Lynch would go on to call Bayley garbage and Valkyria as recycle. She feels she should be treated better by fans because she took out the garbage and will be handling the recycle. Valkyria emerged and laughed at the idea that she was called recycled. She demands Lynch to recognize that the division has evolved in her absence and that she isn’t merely a recycled version of The Man. In fact, Valkyria blames Lynch for being recycled herself by using the same ol’ same ol’. The inaugural champion did give Lynch her credit tho. Lynch is inaugural SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to prticipate and win at WrestleMania, first Women’s Intercontinental….oh wait, that is Valkyria!
The confrontation did turn physical when Lynch went on the attack first. Valkyria was ready and laid out Lynch to stand tall in the segment.
Shortly after this, a non-title match took place between the Women’s World Champion IYO SKY and NXT’s Roxanne Perez. The match was another stand out for both women with a nail biting finish. Both women traded near falls for what felt like at least 30 seconds if not longer before SKY was able to get the better of Perez and secure the win. Post match, Perez held her hand out to shake SKY’s. The exchange strangely took place and Perez left the ring, only for Giulia to attack SKY from behind.
Rhea Ripley, who has been the fourth woman in this equation since WrestleMania, was in Australia this week for press on WWE’s upcoming Perth events. So there was no one to help SKY, as Perez returned to the ring, and along with Giulia, took out the champion.
Ripley will return next week and team with SKY to take on Giulia and Perez.