Lyra Valkyria wins the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. TNA Wrestling prepares for Genesis, its first pay-per-view event of 2025. Janai Kai chats with WrestleZone and more!
Lyra Valkyria Wins WWE Women’s IC Title
Just weeks after Chelsea Green solidified herself as the first ever Women’s United States Champion, Lyra Valkyria is now the first ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
The tournament finals for the latter title took place on this week’s episode of WWE Raw, with Valkyria and Dakota Kai as the competitors. At one point, Kai seemed inches away from victory as she laid out her opponent with a stomp and a Go To Kick. Before Kai could make a cover, though, Valkyria rolled out of the ring. Upon her subsequent return to the ring, Valkyria ducked a running boot from Kai and planted her with a Night Wing for the win.
With this victory, Valkyria picks up her second singles title in WWE, following the NXT Women’s Championship she held from late 2023 until early 2024. In her path to IC gold, Valkyria defeated the likes of Zelina Vega, Ivy Nile, IYO SKY, and finally, Dakota Kai.
“I got drafted to Monday Night Raw. Worked my way through an entire tournament of women. I am the first ever Intercontinental Champion,” Valkyria told WWE’s Jackie Redmond in a post-match interview. “I have dreamed about making a moment like this, carving out my own little piece of history. There’s only ever one first ever. My name is now in the history books. I’m the Intercontinental Women’s Champion.”
Elsewhere on Raw, Nia Jax confronted newly-crowned WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, while also calling out fellow SmackDown roster member Bayley.
READ MORE: WWE Raw Results: Review, Grades, Card For January 13
TNA Genesis Preview: KO Title On The Line
This Sunday, TNA Wrestling will host Genesis, its first pay-per-view event of 2025. So far, three Knockouts division matches have been announced, including one for the TNA Knockouts Championship.
Firstly, Dani Luna and Jody Threat, together known as Spitfire, will defend the Knockouts Tag Team Championships against Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance (aka Heather Reckless). Spitfire’s second tag title reign began at TNA Victory Road when they defeated Masha Slamovich and Tasha Steelz (replacing an injured Alisha Edwards).
Elsewhere, Jordynne Grace will face Tessa Blanchard. The controversial figure returned to TNA last month when she attacked Grace during her match against Rosemary. Since then, Blanchard has continued to beat down Grace, which resulted in the latter calling her out on TNA Impact. After a chaotic brawl ensued between the two, Director of Authority Santino Marella called for a match at Genesis. This PPV event is expected to be one of Grace’s last contracted appearances for TNA.
Finally, TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich will put her title on the line against Rosemary in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match, which was created by Raven. The TNA Hall of Famer appeared on last week’s episode of Impact, personally suggesting that the two add the respective stipulation to their title match. Slamovich’s title defense against Rosemary notably comes five days after her surprise appearance on WWE NXT.
READ MORE: Raven Returns On TNA Impact, Pitches Stipulation for Rosemary vs. Masha Slamovich
Athena Defends ROH Women’s Title In STARDOM
Across her four recent STARDOM matches, ROH Women’s Champion Athena remained undefeated. Firstly, on January 3, she and Thekla defeated Mina Shirakawa and Tay Melo in a tag match that also marked the latter’s in-ring return.
The alliance between Athena and Thekla proved to be short lived as the later found themselves on opposite sides of six and eight-woman tag competition. In both instances, Athena’s team, which consisted of her and members from STARS, emerged victorious. Finally, on January 13, Athena defended her ROH Women’s World Championship against Thekla in Korakuen Hall.
As expected, Thekla’s stablemates from HATE interfered in an attempt to help her dethrone “The Forever Champion.” Athena, however, stayed resilient and eventually pinned “The Toxic Spider” after hitting the O-Face.
Following her victory over Thekla, an emotional Athena noted that her tour of STARDOM had come to an end. She also revealed that it “reawakened” her passion as a fighting champion and as a pro wrestler overall. As such, Athena aims to return to STARDOM sometime down the line.
“Normally in America, no one sees me cry. Never. I’m tough, but this is very special,” Athena said in a post-match promo. “This is my dream, and I finally got to come here. Hopefully I can come back and compete in front of the most amazing fans with the most amazing women from around the world. So STARDOM, you will see me again, the Fallen Goddess, the American Joshi, the Minion Overlord, the inspiration to every women’s division. But most importantly, today, I finally lived up to my nickname of the ‘American Joshi!’ Thank you, STARDOM. Thank you everyone. I will see you again soon.”
INTERVIEWS
Former MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion Janai Kai spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard about her record-setting title run, facing Delmi Exo in a title versus hair match at MLW King of Colosseum, Contra Unit, signing a contract with MLW, B3CCA and more.
Former TBS Champion Julia Hart sat down with Denise Salcedo to discuss the process of going from cheerleader to dark goth princess, the future of the House of Black with Malakai Black’s future in question, overcoming her first injury, her return to in-ring competition and more.
WWE’s Cathy Kelley and Maxxine Dupri joined the Lightweights Podcast to discuss WWE RAW moving to Netflix, Tiffany Stratton cashing in Money In The Bank, the upcoming Royal Rumble premium live event, John Cena’s retirement tour, first impressions of each other, WrestleMania 40 and what surprises might come at the event.
WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green chatted with Witty Whittier about the WWE Raw debut on Netflix, WWE Elimination Chamber coming to Toronto, her interest in the Elimination Chamber structure, being an avid Netflix watcher, and more.
Former TBS Champion Kris Statlander talked with ComicBook about her rematch against “The CEO” Mercedes Mone, the possibility of a Women’s Continental Classic, her dream All In Texas scenario, and her shift from heel to babyface, the challenges that came with it, and more.
