WWE champion Lyra Valkyria reveals star’s horror injury was ‘worst she’s ever seen’

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WWE superstar Lyra Valkyria has hinted at the devastating extent of a recent injury.

On Raw last week, Zoey Stark landed awkwardly and screamed in agony before being carried backstage, and it’s not just fans who are concerned.

Lyra, 28, exclusively told Metro that the painful moment was ‘one of the worst injuries’ she’s ever witnessed.

‘Everyone saw that. That was very, very shocking. I think that was one of the worst injuries, live, I’ve ever seen. And so my heart did break for her – and I’ve done my ACL. I know how tough it is,’ she said.

The current, and inaugural, Women’s Intercontinental Champion – who is targeting a hometown moment in Dublin during WWE’s Road To Clash In Paris Tour this summer – admitted the rest of the roster are waiting on an update.

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‘I don’t know the extent of her injury. We haven’t heard what the actual diagnosis of it is,’ she added. ‘Just going based off what it looks like, I really hope that she’s okay mentally and physically coming through this.’

Lyra Valkyria has revealed the WWE roster’s reaction to Zoey Stark’s injury (Picture: Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images) Zoey had to helped to the back (Picture: Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images) The Irish wrestler knows what her fellow star is going through (Picture: Rich Frieda /WWE via Getty Images)

Dublin-born Lyra has been through her own setbacks, tearing her ACL in 2021 on NXT UK against wrestling legend Meiko Satamura.

‘I hope [Zoey] knows that the whole locker room is supporting her and hoping that she comes through this and somehow comes back,’ she said.

‘I can tell you from doing it once, my knee, that it’s one of the hardest things that you’ll ever go through mentally. Like, it’s not even a physical thing.’

For a wrestler, it’s ‘horrible’ when you ‘can’t do the thing that you love’.

She added: ‘You’re looking at everyone, you’re dying to get back in there. When you feel like you can’t do the thing that you were born to do, it’s really horrible. But it also puts such a fire under you to come back better.’

Becky Lynch returned to win tag team gold with Lyra at WrestleMania (Picture: Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images) Things took a turn 24 hours later (Picture: Mike Marques/WWE via Getty Images) Lyra and Becky are now embroiled in a bitter feud (Picture: Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)

Lyra did just that, and made history as the first ever Women’s IC Champ, before her short-lived WrestleMania dream team with Becky Lynch descended into an increasingly personal rivalry between the two Irish stars.

They’ll face off again at Money In The Bank on June 7, after a thrilling and physical battle at Backlash.

‘That’s probably the sorest I’ve been after any match,’ Lyra laughed, reflecting on a bout that ended in victory, and a bloody nose.

The clash was arguably match of the night on a stacked card, headlined by a ‘last time ever’ match between John Cena and Randy Orton.

The Irish stars delivered a physical match (Picture: Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images) The bout was hailed ‘match of the night’ by many fans (Picture: Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images) John Cena battled Randy Orton in the Backlash main event (Picture: Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)

‘I’m getting extremely used to that feeling now of just knowing it’s fight or flight, biggest show, biggest opportunity. I either have this or I don’t, but I gotta just go,’ she said excitedly.

‘Randy Orton and John Cena [was a] full circle moment, considering they were two of the most highlighted people when I was growing up, two of the best to ever do this.

‘But I was just looking at that card thinking, “I have to hold my ground here and prove that I’m worthy of being on this. And then to have so many people saying “match of the night”, and to be commending it, I’m very proud of that one.’

Lyra had no qualms about how real things got with Becky as they both went all-out in the ring, and she knows no other way.

Lyra embraces the physicality (Picture: Craig Melvin /WWE via Getty Images) The champion is excited for her homecoming (Picture: Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

‘I’ll sleep well at night if I know I’ve left everything I have in the ring,’ she said. ‘There’s a certain level of confidence with that. When you know you’re doing absolutely everything you can, it’s almost like a peace of mind.’

She’s focused on building the Intercontinental Title’s legacy, and August’s SmackDown in Dublin, where she grew up watching house shows.

‘Now, to be broadcasting live on Netflix, the 3Arena, it’s going to be huge,’ she beamed. ‘I know exactly what it’s like to be on the other side of the barrier. I hope I get to be a part of it.’

WWE returns to the UK & Ireland this August for the Road to Clash in Paris Tour, featuring SmackDown in Dublin on August 22 and Raw in Birmingham on August 25. Tickets are now available here: 

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