AJ Lee Captures Women’s Intercontinental Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026

Posted By: Patrick A Ganczewski on Feb 28, 2026

AJ Lee completed a remarkable return to championship competition by capturing the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship in a hard fought battle against Becky Lynch.

The match was preceded by a video package highlighting the significance of the bout, particularly for Lee, who was competing in her first championship match in eleven years and her first singles contest in a decade. The Chicago crowd made their presence felt from the outset, giving the returning hometown favorite a warm reception, while the reigning champion entered with the confidence of someone determined to spoil the celebration.

Lynch immediately leaned into a more antagonistic approach, using stalling tactics and well placed cheap shots to frustrate both Lee and the crowd. Commentary pointed out Lynch’s previous remarks about referee Jessika Carr, whom she had labeled the “most crooked ref in WWE history,” adding another layer of tension to the contest. Lynch controlled much of the early action, cutting off Lee’s attempts to build momentum and methodically wearing her down.

Lee briefly found an opening with a hammerlock and later sent Lynch retreating to the outside, taunting her opponent with a playful skip across the ring. Still, Lynch continued to dictate the pace, grounding the challenger and keeping the crowd subdued.

Momentum finally shifted when Lee strung together a flurry of offense that ignited the arena. She delivered sharp, speedy strikes and followed up with a Tornado DDT and a Shining Wizard for a close two count. Lee attempted to secure the Black Widow submission, but Lynch escaped and retaliated with stomps before discreetly removing the top turnbuckle pad while the referee was distracted.

Lynch tried to drive Lee face first into the exposed steel, but Lee blocked the attempt. The two climbed to the top rope, where Lynch executed a Superplex and transitioned directly into an armbar. Lee managed to roll through into a pinning combination to break the hold. As the referee noticed the exposed turnbuckle and moved to fix it, chaos erupted. Lynch shoved Lee into the official, sending her into the uncovered corner. Moments later, Lynch accidentally struck the referee again, leaving her down as Lee applied the Black Widow and forced Lynch to tap out with no one able to witness it.

With the official incapacitated, the fight spilled to the outside. Lynch hurled Lee into the barricade and ring steps before introducing a steel chair back inside the ring. Lynch drove Lee’s face into the chair unseen and followed with a Manhandle Slam, but Lee shockingly kicked out to a thunderous reaction.

Frustration mounted for the champion. After a near fall from a roll up, Lynch charged for a Stinger Splash in the corner, only for Lee to sidestep her. Lynch crashed into the still exposed turnbuckle. Lee capitalized immediately, locking in the Black Widow in the center of the ring. This time, with the referee conscious and in position, Lynch tapped out.

AJ Lee was declared the new WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, completing a dramatic comeback in front of an electric crowd and marking a triumphant chapter in her long awaited return to singles competition.