Aoife Cusack (October 23, 1996) is an Irish professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the Raw brand under the ring name Lyra Valkyria. She formerly competed on the NXT UK brand under the name Aoife Valkyrie. Debuting in 2015, Valkyrie wrestled in several Irish promotions as well as in Germany and the United Kingdom. She is a one-time Pro Wrestling EVE Tag Team Champion with Debbie Keitel, a one-time Fight Factory Pro Wrestling Irish Junior Heavyweight Champion, a one-time Over The Top Wrestling Women's Champion and a one-time Pro Wrestling Ulster Women's Champion.
Professional wrestling career[]
Early career (2015-2019)[]
Valkyrie began her career as early as May 2 2015 in Celtic Championship Wrestling in Cork, Ireland. She went on to wrestle in several Irish promotions including Fight Factory Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Ulster, Over The Top Wrestling and Phoenix Wrestling. She also spent time in the German Wrestling Federation between 2017-2019 as well as Westside Xtreme Wrestling between 2019-2020.
World Wrestling Entertainment[]
NXT UK (2020-2021)[]
Under the ring name Aoife Valkyrie, she made her televised debut on the February 13 episode of NXT UK, during which she defeated French NXT recruit Amale. On the March 5 episode of NXT UK, Valkyrie defeated Scottish women's competitor Isla Dawn. On the March 26 episode of NXT UK, Valkyrie expanded her undefeated streak with a victory over Nina Samuels. Valkyrie's undefeated streak would end on the April 29 episode of NXT UK, following a loss to Meiko Satomura. On the July 29 episode of NXT UK, Valkyrie was defeated by Jinny after Joseph Connors interfered. Valkyrie faced Jinny in a No Disqualification rematch on the August 26 episode of NXT UK. With Connors locked in a cage, Valkyrie would emerge victorious over Jinny.
NXT (2022-2024)[]
On the December 13, 2022, Valkyrie, under name Lyra Valkyria, made her debut for NXT, scoring a win over Amari Miller.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
- Tag teams and stables
- Woke Queens (w/Debbie Keitel)
- Nicknames
- "Lady of the Opera"
- Entrance music
- "Destruction" by Joywave
- "Voulez-Vous" by ABBA
- "Triumph" by def rebel
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Over The Top Wrestling
- OTT Women's Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling EVE
- EVE Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Debbie Keitel
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked her #73 in the 2021 PWI Top 150 Females
- PWI ranked her #190 in the 2023 PWI Top 250 Females
