The timing of a long-awaited comeback can be everything, and for Naomi, it appears to be entirely wrong. With AJ Lee reportedly on the verge of returning to a WWE ring after a decade, the currently sidelined former Women’s World Champion has publicly reacted to the prospect of her wish coming true while she’s unable to be there. In a tweet, Naomi stated, “If she returns while I’m out yall will witness the crash out of the century on this app.”
Naomi’s frustration stems from a shared history with Lee that dates back to the third season of NXT in 2010, where they debuted together. In a recent interview conducted months ago, she even joked about “harassing” Lee’s husband, CM Punk, to facilitate a return, stating she couldn’t retire until it happened. Just a couple of weeks ago, Naomi vacated the Women’s World Championship to take a break from WWE due to her pregnancy.
The foundation for Lee’s return was built over the past week. At Clash in Paris on August 31, Becky Lynch interfered in the World Heavyweight Championship match, hitting CM Punk with a low blow to help Seth Rollins secure the win. The following night on Raw, Lynch escalated the situation during a promo with Punk, referring to Lee as “that one that doesn’t work here anymore.” Punk responded with a warning that she would regret her words.
Lee’s return is expected to materialize as soon as this Friday’s episode of SmackDown in her and Punk’s hometown of Chicago. This is anticipated to lead to her first match since 2015, which is scheduled for Wrestlepalooza on September 20. At the event, Lee will team with CM Punk to face the husband-and-wife duo of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
While the company has not made a formal announcement, the official WWE Shop account on X (formerly Twitter) let the news slip on September 2. In a since-deleted reply to a fan, the account noted, “With AJ Lee’s return to the ring, we are looking to have some 🔥 gear hopefully in time for Wrestlepalooza.” Reports indicate there is a desire within WWE for Lee’s return to be more than a one-off appearance, with her comeback generating significant excitement among talent in the locker room.