AJ Lee has made a stunning return to WWE following a ten-year retirement, appearing on the September 5th edition of SmackDown in Chicago. She emerged to support her husband, CM Punk, in his escalating rivalry with the married duo of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
Lee’s comeback was an electrifying moment, as she immediately confronted Lynch, forcing the Women’s Intercontinental Champion into a retreat. Her arrival is the latest chapter in the heated feud between Punk and Rollins. The conflict reignited at SummerSlam in August, where Punk won the World Heavyweight Championship, only for Rollins to cash in his Money in the Bank contract moments later to capture the title.
At the Clash in Paris event, Punk’s attempt to reclaim the championship in a fatal four-way match was foiled when Lynch interfered, helping her husband secure the victory. The animosity intensified on the September 1st episode of Raw, where Lynch slapped Punk during a heated verbal exchange. Punk then hinted at a surprise for SmackDown, which culminated in Lee’s dramatic return.
The confrontation sets the stage for a potential mixed tag team match pitting Punk and Lee against Rollins and Lynch at WrestlePalooza on September 20, which will be WWE’s first premium live event on ESPN’s new streaming service.
Lee’s return marks the comeback of one of the most influential figures of the early 2010s women’s division. Known for her unique persona, exceptional promo skills, and a signature skip, she was a three-time Divas Champion, tying the record for the most reigns with the former top women’s title.
Despite her significant impact, Lee’s main roster tenure was brief, lasting only four years. She retired from in-ring competition in April 2015, following her final match on the Raw after WrestleMania 31. In her memoir, “Crazy Is My Superpower,” Lee revealed that damage to her cervical spine was a primary factor in her decision.
In the years since, Lee has worked as a writer for film and television and served as an executive producer for Women of Wrestling from 2021 to 2023. Fan anticipation for her return to the ring grew significantly after CM Punk made his own comeback to the company in 2023, and after numerous on-air references by her husband, that hope has now been realized.
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