AJ Lee is back in WWE. Shortly after her return on last night’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque took to social media to confirm that the former three-time Divas Champion has signed a new contract with the company. The announcement ends a decade of retirement for one of the most popular female superstars of her generation and sets the stage for her in-ring return.
In a post on X account, Triple H shared a video of Lee officially signing her new WWE contract. The video shows a smiling Lee putting pen to paper, making her return to the company official. “Ink to paper…the calm before the storm,” Triple H wrote in the caption. He also posted a photo of himself with Lee and her husband, CM Punk, from backstage at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
During a segment where Becky Lynch was verbally and physically attacking CM Punk, Lee’s iconic music hit, and she skipped her way to the ring to a big ovation from the Chicago crowd. She then took out Lynch with a Thesz press and a slap, sending “The Man” retreating up the ramp. The show closed with an embrace between Lee and Punk in the middle of the ring.
This was Lee’s first appearance in a WWE ring in over ten years. She had retired from professional wrestling after WrestleMania 31 in 2015 due to a neck injury. In the years since, she has built a successful career as a writer and a mental health advocate, largely staying away from the wrestling business.
It is now expected that a mixed tag team match pitting Lee and Punk against World Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s World Champion Becky Lynch at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza premium live event on September 20.
Ink to paper…the calm before the storm. pic.twitter.com/4fSMOwoUMm
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 6, 2025
You can always come home…Welcome back @TheAJMendez! pic.twitter.com/NDPNKQVCj4
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 6, 2025
