AJ Lee is back and the WWE Universe couldn’t be more excited.
The former Divas Champion made a surprise return on the Sept. 5 episode of Smack Down, stepping into the ring alongside her husband, CM Punk, in his hometown of Chicago. The power couple immediately squared off with another wrestling duo Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
Lee wasted no time making an impact, landing blows on Lynch before the Women’s Intercontinental Champion decided to retreat. Her return comes as Punk reignites his fiery rivalry with Rollins.
Punk captured the World Heavyweight Championship at Summer Slam in August, only for Rollins to come back from a supposed injury and cash in his Money in the Bank contract, stealing the title away. The bad blood boiled over at Clash in Paris during a fatal four-way, where Lynch’s interference helped Rollins keep the gold. Then, on Raw (Sept. 1), Lynch slapped Punk, prompting him to tease that something big was coming on Smack Down and that “something” turned out to be AJ Lee.
Now, all signs point to Lee and Punk joining forces against Rollins and Lynch at WrestlePalooza on Sept. 20, WWE’s first premium live event on ESPN’s streaming service.
AJ Lee’s WWE Legacy
Fans have been waiting a decade for this comeback. Known for her wild persona, razor-sharp promos, and trademark skip, Lee dominated the women’s division in the early 2010s. She became a three-time Divas Champion tied for the most reigns with that now-retired title.
Her WWE run, though short, left a huge mark. She wrestled just four years on the main roster, with her last match coming the night after WrestleMania 31 in 2015. WWE announced her retirement that April, citing cervical spine damage as one of the reasons, which Lee later discussed in her memoir Crazy Is My Superpower.
Since stepping away from the ring, Lee has worn many hats author, screenwriter, and executive producer for Women of Wrestling from 2021–23. She even dipped back into the world of wrestling through the TV series Heels.
Speculation about her return only grew after Punk rejoined WWE in 2023, with fans convinced she would eventually follow. Punk even dropped a few hints during his run, fueling hope that this moment would come.
Now, after ten long years, AJ Lee is officially back where she belongs in the WWE spotlight.
