In a shocking turn of events on the first anniversary of WWE Monday Night RAW on Netflix, Becky Lynch reclaimed the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, ending Maxxine Dupri’s underdog story at 49 days. Fans were rooting for the Alpha Academy standout, and the company’s decision to pull the trigger on a title change so soon has left the wrestling universe buzzing.
Becky gets the WIN! 🏆 @BeckyLynchWWE is now a 2x Women’s Intercontinental Champion! pic.twitter.com/T2bMrlWeCv
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026
Here are 4 reasons why WWE took the Women’s Intercontinental Championship off Maxxine Dupri:
#4. WWE seemingly feels she’s not ready yet
Maxxine Dupri’s growth has been nothing short of impressive. Going from a valet to a singles champion in record time is a testament to her work ethic. However, the Women’s Intercontinental Championship is clearly being positioned as the workhorse title of the division, much like the men’s version.
While Maxxine has improved, carrying 15–20 minute technical clinics every week is seemingly a tall order for someone still relatively new to the ring. By taking the gold off her now, WWE could avoid overexposing her current limitations and allow her to continue her development without the pressure of being a marked champion.
#3. A one-off moment to capitalize on momentum
Sometimes, a title win is less about a long-term reign and more about a moment of a lifetime. When Maxxine Dupri shocked the world by defeating Becky Lynch in November, she was arguably at the height of her popularity.
By giving Maxxine the title, WWE successfully validated her hard work in the eyes of fans, gave the new championship a shock factor to show that anyone can win, and created a heartwarming highlight for the Alpha Academy.
With that objective achieved, the company can now pivot to a more established star while Dupri keeps the former champion accolade forever.
#2. A shift toward the tag team division with Natalya
The most intriguing development in Maxxine’s career has been her recent association with the BOAT, Natalya. Recent vignettes have shown Dupri undergoing grueling dungeon-style training under Natalya’s watchful eye.
The chemistry between the two suggests that WWE sees more value in the 28-year-old star as part of a powerhouse mentor-protege tag team. With Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY recently capturing the Women’s Tag Team Title, the division needs credible challengers.
Moving the now-former Women’s IC Champion into a duo with Natalya allows her to hide her weaknesses, highlight her strengths, and potentially chase tag team gold under the guidance of a future Hall of Famer.
#1. Becky Lynch can take the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to new heights
WWE is in a massive transition period with the move to Netflix. To make the Women’s Intercontinental Championship feel like a big deal on a global streaming platform, fans need a marquee name holding it.
Becky Lynch is now the first-ever two-time Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Her veteran status and global brand recognition ensure the title will be featured in high-profile segments and potentially even main event slots. By putting the gold back on The Man, WWE is signaling that this title is a top-tier prize, and there is no better person than Big Time Becks to establish that prestige.
