Speculation about a potential WWE return for AJ Lee was directly fueled by the company’s broadcast team following the conclusion of Clash in Paris. The teases came after Becky Lynch interfered in the main event to help her husband, Seth Rollins, retain the World Heavyweight Championship against Lee’s husband, CM Punk.
The main event on August 30 was a Fatal Four-Way match that also included LA Knight and Jey Uso. The finish saw Lynch appear and deliver a low blow to Punk, which allowed Rollins to hit the Stomp for the victory.
On the post-show, former WWE Champion Big E pointed out that Punk also has a wife.
“This man CM Punk, he has got a wife too… I’m just saying it’s on the table,” Big E stated.
Panelist Jackie Redmond responded directly to the idea, asking if this development “opens a certain door, to maybe, AJ Lee?!” During the broadcast, CM Punk was also seen acknowledging a fan sign in the crowd that called for his wife’s return.
This on-screen angle aligns with backstage reports indicating that conversations about Lee have recently gained momentum. According to these reports, creative pitches involving the former Divas Champion have been made internally. Unlike in previous years, these ideas were reportedly “not quite shut down like they used to be,” with some sources hopeful they were related to the angle with Lynch and Rollins.
A WWE higher-up reportedly has no concerns about Lee’s long absence from the ring, as she has not competed since March 2015. The reasoning provided was that Lee has maintained a TV-ready appearance and that CM Punk set a precedent by successfully returning after his own extended hiatus.
In recent years, Lee had expressed little desire to wrestle again, reportedly stating during her time with WOW Women of Wrestling that she was only open to non-wrestling roles. However, those who worked with her on the television series “Heels” noted that while she seemed anxious about filming in-ring scenes, she performed as if she “had never left.