AJ Lee stepped outside of storyline this week to show respect for her upcoming opponent, Becky Lynch, just days before the two meet at WWE Wrestlepalooza. The match marks Lee’s first in-ring appearance since 2015, making Saturday’s event a milestone in her career.
In an interview with ESPN, Lee explained her decision to return after nearly a decade away, pointing to WWE’s new partnership with the network as a challenge she wanted to take on. When asked about facing Lynch, she was clear in her admiration.
“But also, like Becky is very interesting to me. I think that she’s wonderful in the ring and we have a lot of similarities, and she would not be an easy person to get back in the ring with. So, that was exciting,” Lee said. (h/t Ringside News)
Her enthusiasm is matched by her husband and tag team partner, CM Punk. Speaking on Pardon My Take, Punk called Lee’s return “a dream come true” and leaned into his role as what he jokingly described as the “uber, nerdiest wife guy,” even canceling other appearances to travel with her.
Punk also offered candid thoughts on the event itself. He labeled the Wrestlepalooza name—drawn from ECW’s history—as “ridiculous,” and reflected on his current role as a babyface, noting that nostalgia and fan respect may keep him from ever being a traditional heel again.
On Saturday, Lee and Punk team up against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch in a mixed tag match at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The bout is being positioned as one of the signature attractions of Wrestlepalooza, while also extending the year-long feud between Punk and Rollins.