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Who is Lyra Valkyria? - Dublin WWE star defeated by Becky Lynch
It was Limerick versus Dublin on Saturday night when WWE's Becky Lynch faced Lyra Valkyria at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California for Money in the Bank: Los Angeles.
Becky, 38, was victorious on the night, winning the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship for the first time ever.
The victory comes not long after 28-year-old Valkyria was victorious over the Limerick woman at WWE Backlash in May of this year. It was Limerick versus Dublin on Saturday night when WWE's Becky Lynch faced Lyra Valkyria in St Louis at WWE Backlash. Pic: Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images
Saturday was the culmination in a lengthy feud between veteran Becky and her friend-turned-foe Lyra, with fans taking to X praising the two women. But just who is Lyra Valkyria?
Aoife Cusack is an Irish professional wrestler, who goes by the stage name Lyra Valkyria. She was previously known as Aoife Valkyrie, and has also been referred to as Valkyrie.
The Dublin native is 28 years old and has been in the wrestling industry for almost ten years. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by LJ_Cleary (@lj_cleary)
Lyra is engaged to fellow pro wrestler LJ Cleary (Lee Joseph Cleary) with the pair getting engaged in September 2024 after ten years together.
Confirming the engagement at the time, LJ took to Instagram and wrote: '10 years together celebrated by getting engaged to the person I will be spending the rest of my life with, and she is the love of mine.' The victory comes not long after 28-year-old Valkyria was victorious over the Limerick woman at WWE Backlash in May of this year. Pic: Cooper Neil/WWE via Getty Images
Cusack made her wrestling debut in 2015 under the name Valkyrie Cain after one year with training school Fight Factory Pro Wrestling.
In 2020, she was signed with WWE where she was assigned the ring name Aoife Valkyrie, and competed with NXT UK. Her first match took place on February 13 and resulted in a win over French woman Amale.
Following the closure of NXT UK in 2022, Valkyrie moved to NXT where she adopted the name Lyra Valkyria. Cusack made her wrestling debut in 2015 under the name Valkyrie Cain after one year with training school Fight Factory Pro Wrestling. Pic: Rich Frieda /WWE via Getty Images
The Dubliner's first title charge was in 2023 for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT Stand & Deliver, but her bid was unsuccessful.
She picked up the NXT Women's Championship in October 2023, defending the title in November.
Last year, Valkyria was promoted to the RAW brand, with her on-screen debut seeing her save Becky Lynch from a beatdown by Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane from the Damage CTRL team.
On Saturday night, Valkyria was defeated by Limerick fighter Becky Lynch in California, with Lynch claiming the Women's Intercontinental Championship as a result.
By any means necessary!#AndNew #MITB — WWE (@WWE) June 8, 2025
The match nearly ended on a nine-count before both women managed to get back into the find where they traded hits in the final stretch of the bout.
As per a stipulation agreed prior to the match, Valkyria had to raise the hand of the new champion and wrap the title belt around her waist in a show of respect and good sportsmanship.
THIS IS AWE-SOME!#MITB — WWE (@WWE) June 8, 2025
Fans took to X to have their say following the thrilling Women's title match, with many lauding Valkyria.
THIS IS AWE-SOME!#MITB — WWE (@WWE) June 8, 2025
One wrote: 'Lyra Valkyria has had one of the best reigns in a while. She's been consistently great in-ring & elevated to a different level, the future is very big.'
Another called: 'Lyra Valkyria you will be a World Champion next year.'
A third added: 'Becky Lynch already having the best women's feud since?… her feud with Bianca. She is the best there's ever been.'
