Lyra Valkyria didn’t just win a championship; she made history. The Dublin-born wrestler, real name Marie Cusack, became the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion on the January 13, 2025 episode of Raw, defeating Dakota Kai in San Jose, California.
Real name: Marie Cusack ·
Born: October 23, 1996 ·
Height: 5 ft 3 in ·
Weight: 130 lb ·
Championship: First Women’s Intercontinental Champion
Quick snapshot
- Real name: Marie Cusack (WWE Raw follow-up article)
- Date of birth: October 23, 1996 (Wikipedia)
- Height: 5’3″, Weight: 130 lbs, Brand: Raw (WWE official roster)
- First Women’s Intercontinental Champion (POST Wrestling)
- Exact date of championship win (January 13, 2025 is reported but not officially confirmed on WWE.com)
- Whether she has ever been injured
- Details of her training background
- Future match results (e.g., against Bayley)
- Born in Dublin, Ireland; signed with WWE in 2020 (approx.); drafted to Raw in 2024 (WWE official roster)
- Defeated Dakota Kai to become first Women’s Intercontinental Champion (January 13, 2025) (POST Wrestling (independent wrestling news))
- First title defense anticipated on Raw, with potential challengers including Bayley (WWE (Raw follow-up article))
Nine facts about Lyra Valkyria, one pattern: she’s a champion from Dublin who made history.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Ring Name | Lyra Valkyria |
| Real Name | Marie Cusack |
| Born | October 23, 1996 |
| Born In | Dublin, Ireland |
| Height | 5’3″ (161 cm) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (59 kg) |
| WWE Brand | Raw |
| Current Championship | Women’s Intercontinental Champion (first) |
| Engaged To | LJ Cleary |
Where is Lyra Valkyria from in Dublin?
Lyra Valkyria, born Marie Cusack on October 23, 1996, hails from Dublin, Ireland. Her Irish nationality is a source of pride, and she represents the Emerald Isle on WWE’s global stage. WWE (official roster page) lists her as born in Dublin.
Is Lyra Valkyria Irish?
Yes, Lyra Valkyria is Irish. She holds Irish nationality and was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her ring name blends Norse mythology with her Irish heritage. The WWE official roster page confirms her birthplace.
Lyra Valkyria’s Dublin roots give her a distinct identity in a roster filled with global talent. She is one of a handful of Irish wrestlers currently making waves in WWE, a fact that resonates with fans back home.
Who is Lyra Valkyria engaged to?
Lyra Valkyria is engaged to fellow professional wrestler LJ Cleary, a Dublin native who has competed on the independent circuit and in WWE NXT UK. According to Wrestling Inc. (wrestling news outlet), the couple announced their engagement publicly, and their partnership extends beyond the ring.
Who is LJ Cleary?
LJ Cleary is an Irish wrestler known for his work in the UK independent scene and in WWE NXT UK. He and Valkyria have been a power couple in Irish wrestling circles. Their engagement was confirmed by multiple sources, including Wrestling Inc. (wrestling news outlet).
For Lyra Valkyria, managing a public relationship with another wrestler means balancing personal life with the demands of a WWE schedule. But it also gives her a built-in support system on the road.
Who are some Irish WWE superstars?
Lyra Valkyria is among a distinguished group of Irish wrestlers who have made their mark in WWE. She joins the likes of Sheamus, Becky Lynch, Finn Bálor, and Jordan Devlin — all of whom have held championships in WWE. The WWE (official roster page) notes her Irish heritage, placing her in a lineage of top-tier talent from Ireland.
Notable Irish wrestlers in WWE history
- Sheamus – multiple-time WWE Champion
- Becky Lynch – first women’s grand slam champion
- Finn Bálor – first Universal Champion
- Jordan Devlin – former NXT Cruiserweight Champion
- Lyra Valkyria – first Women’s Intercontinental Champion
Ireland’s wrestling scene has produced champions across genders and divisions, with Valkyria now adding the Women’s Intercontinental title to that list. WWE (official roster page) confirms her place among them.
How tall is Lyra Valkyria?
Lyra Valkyria stands 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm) tall and weighs 130 pounds (59 kg). Her build is typical for a cruiserweight-style wrestler, emphasizing speed and agility over power. WWE (official roster page) lists these measurements.
Lyra Valkyria height and weight
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5’3″ (161 cm) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Build | Cruiserweight |
| Finisher | Night Wing |
The implication: Valkyria’s size doesn’t limit her — it’s a tool. Her Night Wing finisher, a spinning backfist, has already put away Dakota Kai for the championship.
What championship did Lyra Valkyria win on WWE Raw?
Lyra Valkyria became the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion on the January 13, 2025 episode of Raw, defeating Dakota Kai in the tournament final. The match took place in San Jose, California, and culminated with Valkyria’s Night Wing finisher. POST Wrestling (independent wrestling news) reported the details.
How Lyra Valkyria made history
WWE introduced the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on November 25, 2024, through Raw general manager Adam Pearce. Valkyria, who had been drafted to Raw earlier in 2024, entered a tournament and emerged victorious. WWE (official roster page) lists her as the first-ever champion. Wrestling Inc. (wrestling news outlet) noted that this was her first main roster singles title, following her NXT Women’s Championship reign.
Timeline: Lyra Valkyria’s career milestones
- October 23, 1996 – Born in Dublin, Ireland as Marie Cusack.
- 2020 (approx.) – Signed with WWE, assigned to NXT UK.
- 2024 – Drafted to Monday Night Raw.
- January 13, 2025 – Defeated Dakota Kai to become first Women’s Intercontinental Champion (POST Wrestling).
- July 14, 2026 – Bayley called out Lyra Valkyria on Raw, setting up a match at Madison Square Garden (WWE Raw follow-up article).
Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Real name: Marie Cusack (WWE)
- Date of birth: October 23, 1996 (Wikipedia)
- Height: 5’3″ (WWE)
- Weight: 130 lbs (WWE)
- Engagement to LJ Cleary (Wrestling Inc.)
- First Women’s Intercontinental Champion (WWE)
- Signed to WWE Raw (WWE)
What’s unclear
- Exact date of championship win (January 13, 2025 is reported but not officially confirmed on WWE.com)
- Whether she has ever been injured
- Details of her training background
- Future match results (e.g., against Bayley)
Quotes from the ring
Lyra Valkyria defeated Dakota Kai to become the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
WWE (official roster page)
Bayley called out Lyra Valkyria on Monday Night Raw, setting up a match at Madison Square Garden.
WWE (Raw follow-up article)
For Lyra Valkyria, the challenge is clear: defend her historic title against Bayley, or risk losing the momentum she has built. The Madison Square Garden match could define her early championship reign.
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Frequently asked questions
How old is Lyra Valkyria?
Lyra Valkyria was born on October 23, 1996, making her 28 years old as of 2025.
When did Lyra Valkyria join WWE?
Lyra Valkyria signed with WWE in the early 2020s, initially assigned to NXT UK. She was drafted to Raw in 2024.
Does Lyra Valkyria have any children?
There are no public reports of Lyra Valkyria having children.
What is Lyra Valkyria’s relationship status?
Lyra Valkyria is engaged to professional wrestler LJ Cleary.
What brand does Lyra Valkyria wrestle for?
She performs on WWE’s Monday Night Raw brand.
What is Lyra Valkyria’s highest achievement?
She made history by becoming the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion in WWE.
See also: Terence Crawford Record: Undefeated Career & Retirement and Katarina Johnson-Thompson: Partner, Net Worth, Medals & Biography.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.