6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE Raw (28 April - Results & Review)

2. Lyra Steps Out Of Becky’s Shadow

When Becky Lynch turned on Lyra Valkyria last week, it set the stage for Monday to be a huge swing show: would Lyra continue to be the bewildered, wide-eyed sidekick, or would she elevate her game and stand up to The Man?

Valkyria put any doubt to rest on Raw when she confronted Lynch and not only stood up to her, but put her countrywoman down in the process.

Lynch owned taking Bayley out of WrestleMania 41, mocking her in the process to properly set the table for that feud. Lynch's reasoning was a bit of a stretch with a callback to 2019, but the rivalry could hum if built properly.

However, it was when Becky turned her attention to her former tag partner and mentee that things took off. Lynch chastised Valkyria for throwing in with Bayley, which brought out Lyra. The Women’s Intercontinental Champion admitted to ignoring the warnings about Becky and getting swept up in the idea of becoming tag champs alongside her mentor. Acknowledging her shortsightedness in this manner was a form of strength and showed that the babyface had no intention of being that gullible again.

Then it was off to the races as Lyra chased Becky out of the ring and demanded she fight her. When The Man demurred, Valkyria put her IC title up for a match at Backlash. Lynch tried to get the last word, but Lyra cut her off with a big, “Shut the hell up!” and a comment that she no longer wanted to be the next Becky Lynch. She was going to work to be a better person than Lynch, and she already knew she was a better wrestler.

This naturally set off Becks, who ranted and raved until she got too close to the ring and Lyra dropkicked her through the ropes, triggering a brawl.

All told, this was a really solid outing for Valkyria, as Lynch’s heel turn already has yielded fruit with Lyra looking more interesting than she has at almost any point in the past six months.