AJ Lee made her long-awaited in-ring return at WWE Wrestlepalooza, stepping into action for the first time in 3,827 days. Teaming with her husband CM Punk, the former Divas Champion faced off against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team bout billed as a battle of WWE’s “Power Couples.”
Lee, who last competed in a WWE match the night after WrestleMania 31 in 2015, showed no signs of rust despite her extended absence. The former three-time Divas Champion not only held her own but scored the decisive victory, forcing Lynch to tap out to her signature Black Widow submission. With the Women’s Intercontinental Champion now among her conquests, speculation is already building about a potential title clash in the near future.
Watch Wrestlepalooza on Netflix UK in the US [2025]
Fan and Locker Room Reaction
The live crowd in Indianapolis made their feelings clear, breaking into chants of “You Still Got It!” as Lee locked in her submission. Since her comeback earlier this month, fan response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising her sharpness and energy inside the ring.
It wasn’t only fans who were impressed. WWE COO Triple H praised Lee’s impact on the current roster:
When you see somebody like her that has an effect and an impact on so many young ladies, so many young women, so many Superstars of today have been influenced by her, to see her back here.
Nikki Bella, one of Lee’s fiercest rivals during her last WWE run, also welcomed her return:
AJ’s back, and so she and I were chatting for a bit backstage, and we both were just saying, you know, how crazy it is, but she was like, ‘I just love that you’re here, why I’m back,’ and I’m like, ‘No, I’m so happy you’re back,’ and I’m like, ‘We both look so good. Us Latinas.’
Bella added that she hoped fans would see another interaction between the two:
It was great talking to her, it just took me back. When she and I were chatting, it took me back to back in the day and I actually hope we get a moment… We have to have a moment. I feel even this Monday, we should have a moment backstage… I know the fans would love it and it would be fun.
AJ Lee Responds
Following the event, Lee acknowledged the outpouring of support from fans on social media platform X, writing: “You all made my year.”
With the buzz surrounding her comeback and the strong reactions from both fans and peers, AJ Lee’s Wrestlepalooza return may mark the start of a significant new chapter in her WWE career.
Source: Givemesport