A controversial Becky Lynch victory was not one that she pushed for.
At the end of WrestleMania 35 in 2019, Lynch was top of the world and the top star in the company. Triumphing in the main event, The Man became Becky Two Belts as Lynch ruled over the women’s division. Lynch would hold both titles until Money in the Bank later that year, where the former Women’s Champion was forced to pull double duty and defend both titles on the same night. Although Lynch was able to stand tall over Lacey Evans, long-time rival Charlotte Flair proved to be too much, ending the double title reign.
Although Lynch remained the top star on WWE Raw, fans were starting to grow tired of the champion and were looking for a change. At Elimination Chamber 2020, that change seemed to be inevitable as Shayna Baszler put on one of the most dominant performances in Chamber history, securing her title match with Lynch at WrestleMania 36.
Although fans were not allowed in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show would still go on. In one of the more shocking results of the weekend, Lynch would remain champion as she rolled up Baszler inside the Performance Center. Many fans disagreed with the result, including Lynch.
In an excerpt from her forthcoming autobiography, Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl, Lynch detailed how she pushed for the title change
“I had recommended that she take the title from me at WrestleMania… I had been a babyface champion for so long and could feel the audience beginning to turn on me. I had gone from underdog to top dog and such a situation can’t overstay its welcome.”
Lynch continued, noting how the division needed more stars and Baszler being victorious would have made her a star. Unfortunately, this request was denied:
“We needed to make more female contenders and what better way to do that than having them win the title on the grandest stage of them all? Everyone wins. Except me, whose request was denied. I wanted to lose, but I would actually win, so it was a loss… Sigh. Wrestling is confusing.”
Lynch never lost the Raw Women’s Championship. Instead, The Man revealed to Asuka the night after Money in the Bank 2020 that she had not won the briefcase but the title as Lynch forfeited the championship as she was expecting her first child.
Becky Lynch Looks To Become A Champion Once Again
Five years on from her triumph in New York, Lynch hopes to replicate the dream once again in Philadelphia. Following on from her victory inside the Elimination Chamber, the former Women’s Champion will challenge Women’s World Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40. When discussing the upcoming encounter, Becky Lynch stated that she is very ready for Rhea Ripley and feels better than ever.
Quotes obtained via SEScoops.