After more than nine years away from the squared circle, AJ Lee has revealed the two driving forces behind her decision to step back into a WWE ring this Saturday at Wrestlepalooza.
Speculation about a possible comeback began circulating following CM Punk’s return in late 2023, but according to Lee, the idea only became serious once she reconnected directly with her fanbase. While promoting her graphic novel on the Comic Con circuit, she was struck by the passion of the supporters who had never let go.
“I realized that there were so many fans still out there who were so loyal and kind, and have been with me for a decade,” Lee told ESPN. “To go to a Comic Con and have like a seven-hour line of people, I realized, oh, I owe them a little something. So I would like to sort of give them something in return.”
The second factor was the nature of her comeback match: a mixed tag team bout alongside Punk against Seth Rollins and WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. The event marks a partnership with ESPN, a detail Lee described as a new kind of challenge.
“And this opportunity, being a new event with ESPN, that was interesting. Like, that was a new mountain to climb,” she said. “That’s not just jumping back into the fold, that’s starting to build something brand new, and that’s exciting. I like a challenge.” (h/t WrestleTalk.com)
Facing Lynch in particular added to the appeal. Lee noted both respect for her opponent and recognition of the test awaiting her inside the ring. “Becky is very interesting to me. I think that she’s wonderful in the ring and we have a lot of similarities,” Lee explained. “And she would not be an easy person to get back in the ring with. So that was exciting.” (h/t WrestleTalk.com)