Becky Lynch Wins Women’s Intercontinental Championship in Controversial Fashion on WWE RAW

The first Monday Night RAW of 2026 wasn’t just about celebrating one year on Netflix—it was also about title changes, surprises, and a controversial finish that saw Becky Lynch reclaim championship gold.

During the January 5 episode, Becky Lynch challenged Maxxine Dupri for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship in a match that had been brewing for weeks. Lynch had been chasing the title with laser focus, repeatedly calling Dupri a “fake champion” after AJ Lee’s interference cost her the title previously. But in Brooklyn, things came full circle—with a twist.

The title match aired during the first hour of RAW, following an explosive moment between AJ Styles and GUNTHER. By then, the crowd was already buzzing after new Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned in the show’s opening match. That energy carried into the Dupri vs. Lynch title clash.

The match started cautiously as both women felt each other out. Becky looked for a quick win early, but Dupri had her scouted and took control of the match going into the commercial break. When RAW returned, the momentum kept shifting—until Maxxine fired up, pulled down her shoulder straps, and nearly took out Lynch with a burst of offense.

Despite Dupri’s resilience and several close pinfalls, Lynch stayed in the fight. After hitting a superplex into a DDT for a near fall, Becky ultimately won the match by controversial means. As Dupri locked in an ankle lock, Lynch managed to counter with a bridge into a pin—and held the ropes for leverage, escaping the referee’s notice and stealing the win.

With that, Becky Lynch officially began her second reign as WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. The crowd reaction was mixed—some cheered Big Time Becks, while others were stunned by the cheap tactics. Dupri, who had earned fan respect as a scrappy underdog champion, was left looking frustrated after a hard-fought match and a suspect finish.

As RAW marked one year on Netflix with a chaotic and eventful night, this title change will likely carry major fallout into next week’s episode—and possibly set up a rematch between Lynch and Dupri in the near future.

What do you think about Becky Lynch using the ropes to win back the Women’s Intercontinental Title? Was it a veteran move or crossing the line? Sound off in the comments and let us know!