WWE fans may get their wish. According to a report by Fightful Select, the company is planning a return for AJ Lee.
“WWE is planning an AJ Lee return to the ring at WrestlePalooza, and a return on-screen imminently,” Fightful Select reported. “Fightful Select reported this weekend that there had been a number of pitches internally for AJ Lee, who is poised to return to the ring after ten years. It was heavily implied by WWE sources that AJ would be appearing or referenced on this week’s SmackDown, which seems like a forgone conclusion at this point.”
Lee’s last match was at WrestleMania 31. She teamed with Paige to beat the Bella Twins, ending her career on a high note. During her WWE run, Lee was a three-time Divas Champion. Unfortunately, she was forced to retire at her popularity peak.
During a June 2, 2022 appearance on “The Sessions w/ Renee Paquette,” Lee explained a cervical spine issue caused her ring absence.
“I herniated three discs in my cervical spine the week before this match, and couldn’t turn my head or feel my hands,” Lee, real name AJ Mendez, said. “The doctor asked me if I had been in a car crash, haha. @RealPaigeWWE protected me fiercely like a goddamn superhero (I think even helped dress me), so I heart her forever.”
If she does return for WrestlePalooza, Lee will be competing in her first match for over a decade.
WWE Expected to Partner Lee with CM Punk
If Lee returns to WWE for WrestlePalooza, she’ll team with husband CM Punk. They’ll face real-life married couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, per Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez.
“So Punk & AJ vs. Seth & Becky is planned for WrestlePalooza,” Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X.
The groundwork for this match has already been set, with Lynch escalating things in a September 1 episode of RAW. There’s also well-documented bad blood between Punk and Rollins. It will also be interesting to see Lee facing Lynch in this setting. Pairing the two couples against each other will be can’t miss TV.
If WWE pieces this match together, it will draw numbers. Lee remains a fan favorite. Seeing her back in the ring next to Punk will be huge for the company.
Women’s Locker Room Excited For Lee’s Return
In the same Fightful Select report, multiple WWE women’s locker room members are excited to work with Lee.
“There were a number of women’s wrestlers specifically who grew up on AJ Lee who were very excited. One veteran that actually never got to work with AJ said that they were shocked it happened, because CM Punk would usually dismiss when he would be needled about it, but they felt like that was more of him being respectful and supportive of whatever his wife wanted.”
So, while nothing is set in stone, WWE appears to be closing in on a major announcement. Whether Lee’s back on the roster or making a one-off appearance, fans will be excited to see her return after such a long layoff.
WWE Reportedly Closing In on Return Of 3-Time Divas Champion