AJ Lee vs Becky Lynch: Did 'the Man' defend her Intercontinental title? Find out here

The WWE Elimination Chamber in Chicago, Illinois delivered a seismic moment in the women’s division as AJ Lee and Becky Lynch collided in a high-stakes Intercontinental Championship showdown. With months of tension building since Lee’s long-awaited return last year at the Wrestlepalooza, the question on everyone’s mind was simple: would “The Man” retain her gold?

AJ Lee completes her comeback story

Lee shocked the WWE Universe when she returned at Wrestlepalooza after nearly a decade away from in-ring competition. Aligning with her husband CM Punk to take on Seth Rollins and Lynch, Lee reignited old rivalries and immediately inserted herself into the championship picture.

Since that return, her feud with Lynch has intensified. Their encounters have been marked by mind games, technical counters, and escalating stakes — culminating in a blockbuster Intercontinental title clash inside the Elimination Chamber event.

Championship drama in Chicago

The match itself lived up to expectations. Both superstars pushed the pace early, blending submission grappling with calculated strikes. Becky Lynch attempted to outmaneuver AJ Lee with her trademark aggression and ring awareness, while Lee relied on precision and opportunistic counters.

Despite Lynch’s resilience, it was Lee who seized control in the decisive moment. For the third time this year, AJ Lee locked in her signature “Black Widow” submission. With nowhere to escape and the pressure mounting, Lynch tapped out — officially surrendering the Intercontinental Championship.

The Chicago crowd erupted as Lee completed her remarkable comeback arc, dethroning one of WWE’s most dominant champions.

A rivalry redefined

This victory not only crowns AJ Lee as the new Women’s Intercontinental Champion but also solidifies her psychological edge in the rivalry. Making Lynch submit for the third time in a single year sends a powerful statement to the entire division.

For Becky Lynch, the loss marks a significant setback. For AJ Lee, it confirms that her return is far more than nostalgia — it is a championship resurgence.

With momentum now firmly on her side, the new champion stands at the center of WWE’s evolving women’s landscape.