'She's Never Coming Back' - WWE Fans Doubt AJ Lee Will Return To Help CM Punk

CM Punk and Becky Lynch got into a verbal exchange on Monday's episode of RAW, with the Women's Intercontinental Champion telling The Best in the World that he was a “poster child for apathy.” She also explained how fans chanting his name during her matches while he spent nine years away from the company had a negative effect.

Their in-ring segment ended with Lynch slapping Punk several times after Rollins had provoked him from the entranceway before heading backstage. A disgruntled Punk then left the ring to find Rollins, only to bump into RAW general manager Adam Pearce, who informed him that SmackDown would be in his "home sweet home" of Chicago this week.

Punk responded "tremendous" with a smile on his face, knowing that he'd just sent the internet into meltdown with even more discussions of an AJ Lee return becoming increasingly likely. The former three-time WWE Divas Champion left the pro wrestling business back in April 2015 to pursue other interests, but many believe WWE wouldn't be teasing the possibility only to let fans down.

Fans Think AJ Lee Isn't Coming Back

The consensus is that Becky Lynch's inclusion in CM Punk and Seth Rollins' feud is to result in a mixed tag match of some sort eventually. AJ Lee makes the most sense to come to her real-life husband's aid and make a stunning return that might not just be a one-off.

SEScoops reported back in March 2024 that AJ would want a "memorable return" rather than just a one-time appearance. This could include a dream match against current SmackDown star Jade Cargill.

Fans have their doubts, though, given WWE's track record of teasing a big storyline but not delivering it. That was the case for John Cena's supposed alignment with The Rock, which fell flat because the Final Boss didn't turn up at WrestleMania 41.

One fan reckons the company are unsure whether the 38-year-old teams up with Punk and will pivot:

"I don't even think WWE knows if AJ Lee is coming back. They have set it up in a way that looks like she's returning. And if she chooses not to, they'll just go with Rhea Ripley."

Rhea Ripley does make sense, given she was seen backstage talking with Punk about the Clash in Paris incident. But perhaps this interaction was intended to throw fans off the scent a little.

That's not how another fan feels:

"They're teasing it to be AJ Lee so hard. She's never coming back. I learned that lesson, I'd love for it to but it's not happening. She doesn't want to come back."

One fan interestingly proposed that if it doesn't lead to an AJ return it should result in her former longtime WWE friend and foe:

"If AJ isn't coming back, then it should be Paige (Saraya) teaming up with Punk. It makes sense because Paige knows AJ very well and she teamed up with Becky in the past."

Another suggested that Punk turns to one of Lynch's fiercest rivals:

"Bayley makes more sense."

Fans will soon find out one way or another whether AJ is coming back to help Punk in his battle with Rollins and Lynch. We all know anything can happen in the WWE under Triple H's creative control, and a possible shock could be in store on SmackDown this week or even at Wrestlepalooza, given the September 21st PLE is up against AEW's All Out.