3 challengers to build Lyra Valkyria's legacy as WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion

History was made on the January 13 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. Lyra Valkyria defeated Dakota Kai in an amazing match to become the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Debate rages on who was the right pick to hold the title, but the deed has been done. Valkyria has added another championship to her WWE tenure. She’s a great performer to start building this title’s legacy. And to do so, here are three women who would be great feuds for Valkyria as champion.

Ivy Nile

Ivy Nile has been a welcome addition to American Made. She’s clearly someone that WWE has their eyes on as a talent worth developing. She’s continuing to improve with each outing, and a midcard title feud would be a way to keep her in an intriguing storyline while giving her more reps on television. Valkyria is the perfect lead to help take Nile through a longer match, and it would be a “sink or swim” moment for the young performer.

Natalya

Natalya as WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion is the move that many wanted to see as the tournament started. Natalya didn’t even get out of the first round. But she shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to the story around this championship. The entire Hart Foundation held that title, except for her father, Jim Neidhart. The story of Natalya trying to secure that title for the family legacy makes perfect sense. Seeing her challenge against Lyra Valkyria to try for that belt would be a great angle to tell to build the championship.

Shayna Baszler

Shayna Baszler should be a threat to whoever holds a title in WWE. We’re talking about an icon in mixed martial arts and a dominant champion when she is booked that way. Baszler is believable in all that she does. She versus Valkyria in a long feud would be a great way to fully establish the latter as a strong Women’s Intercontinental Champion.