AJ Lee’s WWE Return: Finally Happening or Just Another Cringeworthy Wrestling Rumor Mill Special?

Well, well, well. Look who’s supposedly dusting off the wrestling boots after nearly a decade away from the squared circle. AJ Lee, the former three-time Divas Champion who vanished faster than a referee during a steel cage match, is reportedly making her grand return to WWE at Wrestlepalooza on September 20. And honestly? It’s about time someone shook up this predictable wrestling landscape.

The Setup That Actually Makes Sense

Here’s the thing that’s got everyone talking: this isn’t some random return thrown together by a bunch of writers who just discovered Wikipedia. The groundwork was laid at Clash in Paris when Becky Lynch decided to play dirty pool, delivering a low blow to CM Punk that would make a hockey player wince. That interference allowed Seth Rollins to pick up the victory, and suddenly, fans started connecting dots faster than conspiracy theorists at a UFO convention.

Lee’s last wrestling match was way back on March 30, 2015—an episode of Monday Night Raw where she teamed with Paige and Naomi to defeat The Bella Twins and Natalya. That’s right, folks: Obama was still president, people actually used Vine, and wrestling fans thought Roman Reigns might eventually get over with the crowd organically. Different times indeed.

Why This Return Actually Matters

Let’s cut through the usual wrestling hype for a second. Lee wasn’t just another pretty face holding a butterfly belt for show. She was legitimately one of the best wrestlers of her generation, with mic skills that could make a politician jealous and ring psychology that most current superstars are still trying to figure out. Her “pipebomb” promos were appointment television, and her matches actually told stories instead of just being elaborate dance recitals.

Since hanging up her boots, Lee kept busy as an executive producer and color commentator for WOW (Women of Wrestling) from 2021 to 2023. So it’s not like she’s been sitting on a beach somewhere completely removed from the business. She’s been studying, learning, and probably wondering why modern wrestling storylines make soap operas look like Shakespeare.

The Creative Buzz Behind the Scenes

Here’s where things get interesting from an insider perspective. WWE sources are reportedly saying that Lee’s name has been floating around creative meetings more frequently lately, and—get this—those pitches aren’t being immediately shot down like they have been for years. One company higher-up apparently cited CM Punk’s successful return as precedent, which makes sense if you think about it. Speaking of which, SmackDown is in Chicago this week, too.

What to Expect At Wrestlepalooza

So what does this all mean for September 20? If these reports are accurate, we’re looking at a mixed tag team match that could steal the entire show. Lee and Punk versus Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch is a great match on paper. The card also features a vacant Women’s World Title match and John Cena versus Brock Lesnar, because apparently WWE thinks we need to be reminded that 2014 was a thing.

WWE sources are telling Fightful Select that most people in the company consider it a “foregone conclusion” that she’ll be announced or appear on this Friday’s SmackDown. One thing’s for sure: if Lee does make her return, it’ll be the most genuinely surprising moment WWE has delivered in years. And in an era where everything leaks faster than a sinking ship, that’s saying something. We will believe it when we see it, but this is the best chance of it happening.