Powerhouse wrestling promotion WWE returns to the UK for a tour this week, led by its women’s champion Becky Lynch. It’s been an exciting few months for the 32-year-old Irish grappler, who has nicknamed herself “The Man” and risen through the ranks on sheer wit and talent to become wrestling’s number one star.

Last month Becky competed in the main event match of WWE’s annual super-show WrestleMania, in front of 82,000 fans at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. It’s the flagship show from WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and the pinnacle of the sport – or “sports-entertainment” as WWE calls its own brand of wrestling, an OTT mix of athleticism, costumed theatrics, and soap-like storytelling.

It was the first time women have headlined WrestleMania in its 35-year history.

Becky battled for both of WWE’s top-tier women’s championships in a “winner takes all” match against Ronda Rousey, a former champion in mixed martial arts league UFC and one of the most influential female athletes in the world, and Charlotte Flair, a multi-time wrestling champ herself. Becky won to become a double women’s champion – “The Champ Champ”, as The Man has since described herself.

After the UK tour – which includes two nights at London’s O2 – Becky will compete at WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view event on May 19, where she’ll compete twice in one night to defend both titles.