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The WWE Romance That Turned Real: The AJ Lee and CM Punk Story

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 9:24 AM ET

There is hardly a wrestling couple that captures the attention of the fans as much as AJ Lee and CM Punk do. What began as a WWE storyline eventually turned into one of professional wrestling’s most enduring love stories. Their bond remains strong after over ten years together.

This time, with AJ Lee making a stunning in-ring return in 2025, they reunited in WWE headlines once again. The road of AJ Lee and CM Punk initially crossed through the WWE plot lines. Their teasing chemistry and undeniable attraction quickly made them the focus of attention. Initially, fans believed it was the work of scripted magic, but later it was changed into a real-life romance. Let’s dig into the romantic story of their professional and personal life.

How a WWE Storyline Sparked a Real-Life Romance: AJ Lee and CM Punk

AJ Lee entered the main roster of WWE in 2011 as a fan-friendly, bright-eyed, quirky girl. Her first on-screen storylines revolved around Daniel Bryan during late 2011 and early 2012. Lee got involved in the plot of Bryan, in which she featured as his doting girlfriend.

The experiences hit a plateau in the relationship at WrestleMania 28. In a match to determine his World Heavyweight Championship, Bryan lost in 18 seconds to Sheamus. This was the moment that made Lee inconsolable and allowed him to start to develop more character. This angle of heartbreak preconditioned the development of AJ Lee. She started to turn away from Bryan and from the other main characters of WWE.

In 2012, CM Punk became a significant component of her story. In his legendary WWE Championship reign, Lee had relationships with Punk, Daniel Bryan, and Kane that generated one of the most discussed romantic storylines of the year. Lee was also depicted as indecisive: she aligned with Bryan one moment and demonstrated affection towards Punk the next, and was a wild card authority figure when she was made Raw General Manager.

Her association with Punk emerged further when the relationship on screen was easily translated to the screen. Their relationship becomes real in 2013, on screen, and scripted. The two became intimate in front of the cameras, and they even got married in 2014.

Life Beyond the Ring

Following AJ Lee’s leaving in-ring competition in 2015 because of health problems, she re-invented herself as a writer, mental health activist, and producer. Punk, in the meantime, had tried some things other than wrestling, such as briefly trying UFC, and then made a high-profile comeback to the pro wrestling scene. Despite everything, the bond between the husband and wife did not weaken at any point. Punk frequently attributes the ability to survive through the hard years to the support of AJ Lee.

A Relationship That Strengthened WWE’s Narrative

The history of AJ Lee and CM Punk is unique because their personal life have been perfectly reflected in the story of WWE. Punk used to be demanding that they maintain their career life off-limits. So, to safeguard their marriage, the return of Lee has restored them to their former glory. Their relationship, challenged by the politics of the industry, health crises, and lengthy separations. But now it has turned into one of the few instances of wrestling to have a genuine, undying romance.

The AJ Lee/CM Punk case is unlike other situations in that it cuts across the wrestling scene. Their history with WWE begins with their ten years of marriage. The fact that Lee returned to the business depicts several crucial values of persistence, respect, and love, in an industry. Their romance has proven to be the real deal, and now stronger than ever with both names once again at the forefront of WWE’s biggest moments.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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