After more than a decade, AJ Lee is once again a singles champion in WWE. At WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, she defeated Becky Lynch to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. This marks her first singles title victory since 2014, when she lost the Divas Championship to Nikki Bella.
For long-time fans, this was an emotional and historic moment.
AJ Lee Wins the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
AJ Lee stepped into her first singles match in over 11 years and proved she has not lost her touch. She defeated Becky Lynch to end The Man’s second title reign at 54 days.
The match was intense from the start. Becky Lynch had to deal with a loud and hostile crowd. Fans were chanting “Becky sucks”, “you can’t wrestle” and even “overrated” during the early stages of the match.
On top of that, there was tension involving referee Jessika Carr. Carr had previously officiated another controversial Becky loss, and once again, she became part of the story.
During the final moments, Becky tried to slam AJ into an exposed turnbuckle. Carr stopped the move, which changed the momentum completely. AJ quickly took advantage. She avoided a diving attack from Becky, sending The Man crashing face-first into the steel turnbuckle.
AJ then locked in her famous Black Widow submission hold. Becky had no option but to tap out.
Here’s a quick look at the result:
| Match | Result | Title Change |
|---|---|---|
| AJ Lee vs Becky Lynch | AJ Lee won via submission | New Women’s Intercontinental Champion |
This victory also continues AJ’s strong record against Becky. She has now defeated Lynch three times in a row, including wins at Wrestlepalooza and Survivor Series: WarGames.
A Comeback 11 Years in the Making
AJ Lee’s last singles match before this was in March 2015, where she lost to Nikki Bella. Many wondered if ring rust would affect her performance after such a long break.
But at Elimination Chamber, she looked sharp, confident, and in control.
Her timing was strong, her submissions were smooth, and she handled the pressure like a veteran. It felt like she had never left.
Winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship not only brings her back to the top but also adds a new chapter to her legacy.
WrestleMania 42 Rematch Likely
Now, all eyes turn to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
For months, there were rumours about AJ Lee facing Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. With AJ now holding the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, a rematch at Allegiant Stadium looks very likely.
Interestingly, AJ has only competed at WrestleMania twice in her career. Her last appearance was at WrestleMania 31, where she teamed up with Paige to defeat The Bella Twins. She has never had a singles match at WrestleMania.
This year could finally change that.
A singles championship match between AJ Lee and Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 42 would be historic. It would also give Becky a chance at redemption after losing both her title and momentum.
Other Big Women’s Matches Set for WrestleMania
Elimination Chamber also confirmed another major women’s match.
Rhea Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match for the first time in her career. She will now challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42.
Here’s how the women’s division currently looks:
| Champion | Challenger | Event |
|---|---|---|
| AJ Lee | Becky Lynch (likely) | WrestleMania 42 |
| Jade Cargill | Rhea Ripley | WrestleMania 42 |
The women’s division is clearly one of the strongest parts of WWE heading into Las Vegas.
A New Era for AJ Lee
AJ Lee’s championship win is more than just a title change. It represents a powerful comeback story. After years away from singles competition, she returned and defeated one of the biggest names in WWE.
Her victory also adds fresh excitement to the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, which is still building its legacy.
Now, the big question is whether Becky Lynch will bounce back at WrestleMania or if AJ Lee will continue her winning streak on the grandest stage of them all.
One thing is certain — AJ Lee is no longer just making a nostalgic return. She is back to compete, win titles, and prove she still belongs at the top. WrestleMania 42 could become the most important singles match of her entire career, and fans around the world will be watching closely.
