On Sept. 5, WWE fans were treated to a memorable moment as AJ Lee made her return to the company. The two-time Divas Champion hasn't been seen for the past decade.
Lee's return comes ahead of WWE's WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event. She is expected to partner with her real-life husband, CM Punk, as they take on another real-life couple in Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins.
Fans were treated to a little preview upon Lee's return, as she attacked (and dominated) Lynch in the ring. As SmackDown went off air, Lee could be seen skipping around the ring while holding Lynch's Women's International Championship in a clear signal of intent.
On Sept. 6, Punk posted a heartfelt message to his Instagram story about Lee's return to the WWE.
CM Punk is stlll riding the high from AJ Lee’s return on WWE SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HjzVjjnSgi
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) September 6, 2025
Having Lee back in the rotation is undoubtedly a high point for Punk. Now, when he travels, his wife will likely be on the road with him. Furthermore, she can also step back into the role she held before stepping away from the company.
Nowadays, WWE does a fantastic job of giving women's wrestling a platform. And, as someone who championed for that before stepping away, Lee deserves the opportunity to experience those changes firsthand. She will undoubtedly be a welcome presence within the locker room.
According to a report from Bodyslam.net, Lee has signed a multi-year deal with WWE and will now be a featured part of the women's roster.
"AJ Lee has signed a multi-year, full-time contract with WWE. This isn’t a one-off cameo or a nostalgia pop," Bodyslam reported. "AJ is back for real, and she’s ready to shake up the women’s division all over again."
With Lee back in the rotation, there will be a plethora of "dream matches" on the horizon. Furthermore, WWE has yet another big draw to lean on, both with its weekly programming and Premium Live Event offering.
For now, though, all eyes will be on WrestlePalooza, where Lee must prove she hasn't lost a step in her decade away from the ring.
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