RAW star next to target major championship? - 4 possible challengers for Lyra Valkyria following her title win at WWE NXT Halloween Havoc
WWE NXT: Halloween Havoc Night One was a big show, especially for the females. The program featured seven matches, five of which came from the women's division. Stars such as Lola Vice, Gigi Dolin, Blair Davenport, and Roxanne Perez were highlighted throughout the night.
The main event saw Becky Lynch in action. She defended the coveted NXT Women's Championship against the Irish sensation Lyra Valkyria. Valkyria shockingly pinned the former WrestleMania main eventer in a mentor vs. mentee contest to secure the gold.
Valkyria's win was a significant surprise, but it helped establish the upstart as a major player in World Wrestling Entertainment. Despite being sour about her loss, The Man shook the new champion's hand and presented her with the gold. Lynch's endorsement further raised the 27-year-old's stock.
As difficult as it may be to win a title, it doesn't quite compare to defending it. Lyra Valkyria will now be targeted by all the prominent female stars on NXT. Moreover, there's a strong chance members of the RAW roster may want a crack at the gold. On that note, below are four possible challengers for Valkyria following her championship win at WWE NXT: Halloween Havoc Night One.
#4 Becky Lynch will likely want a rematch
Becky Lynch's time as the NXT Women's Champion was special. Despite only holding the belt for a month and a half, The Man elevated numerous stars after obtaining the gold.
Big Time Becks lent some of her credibility to the likes of Indi Hartwell, Tegan Nox, Tiffany Stratton, and Valkyria herself. Lynch's opponents became bigger names and gained momentum after sharing the screen with the Irish veteran.
While Lynch lost to Lyra Valkyria, there's a chance that she would want another shot at the gold. The Man may be more prepared for the upstart if the two faced off again. If the former champion regains her title, it could mean more opportunities for various stars on RAW and NXT.
#3 Blair Davenport won a big match on WWE NXT
Blair Davenport is one of WWE's brightest stars today. She gained extensive experience before joining the biggest wrestling company in the world, as the NXT Superstar was a prominent name in Japan, the United Kingdom, and even All Elite Wrestling.
The talented but cocky star was in action at WWE NXT: Halloween Havoc. She went one-on-one with rival Gigi Dolin in a Lights Out match. The bout led to the two trading blows outside the ring, with Davenport putting Dolin through a table.
Davenport ultimately won the contest, seemingly concluding her program with Dolin. The win could have positioned her for title contention in the near future. Could former NXT UK stars clash for the NXT Women's Championship? Only time will tell.
#2 Xia Li has been seeking a title opportunity
Xia Li has been one of WWE's most underrated stars for quite some time. She was called up to the main roster in 2021 as part of the SmackDown brand but was quickly lost in the shuffle. She hasn't been able to gain momentum since being drafted to RAW as part of this year's Draft.
Despite some setbacks, Xia Li recently returned to WWE television and confronted Becky Lynch backstage, hoping to secure a title opportunity. She even jumped Candice LeRae backstage, perhaps to send a message to The Man.
Now that Becky Lynch has lost the NXT Women's Championship, what is next for Li remains unclear. While she is expected to continue her budding program with The Man, she could instead switch her target to Valkyria.
#1 Roxanne Perez picked up a huge victory
Roxanne Perez is called The Prodigy for a reason. Despite being incredibly young, she is already highly decorated. Roxanne is a former NXT Women's Champion and even held the NXT Women's Tag Team Title alongside Cora Jade.
Like Blair Davenport, Perez succeeded at WWE NXT: Halloween Havoc. She locked horns with Kiana James in a very physical Devil's Playground match. The 21-year-old stood tall and picked up a much-needed win.
Given that she won a big match, a title opportunity could be in Roxanne Perez's future. The WWE Universe loves her and Valkyria, so it would be interesting to see who the fans would side with if they were positioned as foes.