In a dramatic turn of events on Monday Night Raw, Maxxine Dupri has etched her name into WWE history by becoming the third champion of the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship.[3] The victory came on November 17, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, where Dupri defeated the defending champion Becky Lynch in a match that left the wrestling world buzzing with speculation about the future direction of the prestigious title.
The Historic Victory and Championship Lineage
Dupri’s triumph marks a significant moment in the relatively young history of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, which was only introduced to the Raw brand less than a year ago.[1] The title was first presented on November 25, 2024, by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, establishing a counterpart to the men’s Intercontinental Championship and providing female competitors with another avenue to prove their championship credentials.[1]
The championship’s inaugural holder was Lyra Valkyria, who defeated Dakota Kai in a tournament final on January 13, 2025, to claim the historic honor.[1][3] Valkyria’s reign lasted 145 days before she lost the title to Becky Lynch at Money in the Bank on June 7, 2025, in a Last Chance match that carried significant stipulations.[1] Lynch’s subsequent reign proved to be the longest thus far, spanning 163 days before Dupri’s shocking upset at Raw.[3][7]
Dupri’s Emotional Gratitude and Acknowledgments
Following her championship victory, Maxxine Dupri took time to express her gratitude to the numerous individuals who contributed to her success. The new champion specifically acknowledged her trainers, who have worked tirelessly to hone her in-ring abilities and prepare her for moments exactly like this one. “I have to thank everyone who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” Dupri stated in an exclusive backstage interview, emphasizing the crucial role her mentors played in her journey to the top.
The Madison Square Garden crowd also received special recognition from Dupri, who credited the electric atmosphere and passionate support from the legendary venue’s fans as a driving force throughout the match. MSG has long been considered one of the most prestigious wrestling venues in the world, and competing there for a championship clearly resonated deeply with the newly crowned champion.
The AJ Lee Connection
One of the most intriguing aspects of Dupri’s post-match acknowledgments was her specific mention of AJ Lee, the former WWE Women’s Champion and one of the most influential female wrestlers in company history. While the exact nature of their connection wasn’t immediately clarified, sources close to WWE’s creative team suggest that Lee’s legacy as a trailblazer for women’s wrestling may have served as inspiration for Dupri’s career trajectory.
AJ Lee’s impact on professional wrestling cannot be overstated. Her groundbreaking work in WWE helped pave the way for the Women’s Evolution and Women’s Revolution, fundamentally changing how female competitors were presented and valued by the company. That Dupri would invoke Lee’s name in such a significant moment speaks to the lasting influence of those who came before her.
The Becky Lynch Era Concludes
Becky Lynch’s 163-day reign as Women’s Intercontinental Champion came to an end in New York, marking the conclusion of what many observers considered a strong and memorable title run.[3][5] Lynch, at 38 years old, had established herself as the oldest champion in the title’s history, bringing veteran experience and star power to the relatively new championship.[3]
Lynch’s tenure included a memorable Money in the Bank victory over Lyra Valkyria, which featured the dramatic stipulation that required the defeated Valkyria to raise Lynch’s hand and acknowledge her as the superior competitor.[1] That emotional moment helped establish Lynch’s reign as one filled with significant storyline developments and compelling matches.
Building Momentum for the Women’s Division
The rapid succession of championship changes signals an interesting period for Raw’s women’s division. With three different champions in less than a year, the Women’s Intercontinental Championship has already proven itself as an unpredictable and compelling title with genuine prestige attached to it. The championship’s relatively young history hasn’t prevented it from generating legitimate main-event-level storylines and memorable moments.
The introduction of secondary women’s titles across WWE’s brands has created additional opportunities for female performers to showcase their abilities and gain championship experience. The Women’s United States Championship on SmackDown and the NXT Women’s North American Championship on the developmental brand have complemented the Women’s Intercontinental Championship in providing a more comprehensive championship structure for women’s wrestling.
Looking Forward
As Maxxine Dupri begins her reign as Women’s Intercontinental Champion, questions naturally arise about potential challengers and future title defenses. The tournament that crowned the original champion featured twelve competitors, many of whom remain active and hungry for another opportunity at the prestigious title.[1] Names like Lyra Valkyria, Zoey Stark, Iyo Sky, and others who competed in that original bracket could be positioned for future championship matches.
Dupri’s victory also opens new narrative possibilities for Becky Lynch, who may pursue another championship opportunity or pursue different storylines within Raw’s women’s division. Lynch’s star power and experience ensure she’ll remain a central figure in WWE programming regardless of her championship status.
Conclusion
Maxxine Dupri’s victory at Madison Square Garden represents a pivotal moment in her career and another significant chapter in the story of the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Her gracious acknowledgments of her trainers, the passionate MSG crowd, and the legendary influence of AJ Lee demonstrate a champion who understands both the personal sacrifices required to reach the top and the broader historical context of women’s wrestling. As she begins her championship reign, Dupri carries forward the legacy established by Valkyria and Lynch while writing her own chapter in this exciting new era of women’s championship competition in WWE.[3][5]