While a mixed tag team match is reportedly in the plans for her in-ring return, WWE is hopeful that AJ Lee’s comeback will not be a “one-off.” According to a new report from Fightful Select, the company hopes to do more with the former Divas Champion, and there is a great deal of excitement backstage about her potential return.
The report from Fightful Select, which Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer first reported, states that there have been a number of pitches internally for AJ Lee, who is now set to return to the ring after a ten-year absence. It was “heavily implied” by WWE sources that she would be appearing or referenced on this week’s episode of SmackDown. The planned match for her return is a mixed tag team match at the Wrestlepalooza premium live event on September 20, where she would team with her husband, CM Punk, to take on the duo of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
The news of her potential return has been met with a great deal of excitement from the WWE locker room. The report notes that there were a number of women’s wrestlers who grew up watching AJ Lee and are “very excited” about the possibility of working with her. One veteran who never got to share a ring with her was “shocked it happened,” because in the past, CM Punk would usually dismiss any talk of his wife returning. The source believed this was out of respect for her wishes.
While the company is happy to have her involved in any capacity, they are hopeful it is for more than just one match. “We were told this isn’t necessarily a one-off, and that WWE hopes that they can do more with her, but even if that’s it, they’re happy to have her involved again,” the report states. A WWE higher-up is reportedly not concerned about her long layoff.
AJ Lee’s last match took place in March 2015, and she has been retired for over a decade. Her last role in the wrestling industry was as an executive producer and color commentator for WOW (Women of Wrestling). The report on her return and the backstage reaction can be found on Fightful Select.
