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Why AJ Lee Left WWE: Her WrestleMania 42 Match Carries Double Meaning

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Harrison | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 10:58 AM ET

AJ Lee will compete in her first WrestleMania match in more than ten years.

Confirmed on the March 23 edition of Raw in Boston, AJ will defend the Women's Intercontinental Championship against her long-time rival, Becky Lynch. During the segment, Becky referenced Lee's 2015 departure, a reminder of how much WWE has changed since then.

Vince McMahon no longer owns the company, Triple H now serves as Head of Creative, and the women's division has evolved dramatically. With AJ back in the ring, it’s easy to forget what led her to leave WWE in the first place.

Professional wrestler AJ Lee stands on the entrance ramp, framed by her signature heart-spider logo on the large arena screen.Getty Images

3 Reasons AJ Lee Left WWE

The night after WrestleMania 31, AJ Lee competed in a six-woman tag team match on Raw, teaming with Paige and Naomi against The Bella Twins and Natalya.

Four days later, WWE announced on its website that Lee “has decided to retire from in-ring competition with WWE.”

Lee has publicly cited three reasons for her 2015 departure:

A cervical spine injury.
Completion of her personal goals in wrestling.
Her husband, CM Punk, leaving WWE.

She has also discussed the mental health challenges she faced at the time. WWE’s locker room culture in 2015 was particularly difficult for someone like Lee, whose personality did not fit the traditionally male-dominated environment.

How Old Is AJ Lee?

AJ Lee celebrates in the ring on WWE Raw, hoisting her championship belt before a capacity crowd.Getty Images

Lee recently turned 39. She was only 28 when she initially retired. Ironically, Becky Lynch is the same age, highlighting the contrast in their careers over the past decade. During Lee's departure, Lynch revolutionized the women’s division, becoming the first woman to win in the main-event WrestleMania.

AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 42 will mark another historic moment: it will be the first time a women's secondary singles title is defended at the Showcase of the Immortals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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