AJ Lee’s return to WWE on Friday Night SmackDown prompted a significant backstage reaction, which was described as a “curtain sellout.” The term indicates that numerous WWE superstars went to the entryway to watch her appearance unfold live.
Lee’s appearance came during the show’s final segment. She confronted Becky Lynch in retaliation for Lynch having slapped her husband, CM Punk, multiple times. The attack concluded with Lee standing tall, leaving the ring with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
The report on the internal reaction originated from Fightful Select.
The return also drew public reactions from past rivals, including Nikki Bella, who took to social media to suggest a potential rematch.
Writing on X, Bella commented on her history with Lee and teased other possible returns, stating, “That would be so fun! We had a great and magical run! Loving 2025 so much!!! Goodness imagine if Paige and Brie showed up!”
Bella’s post references her own notable feud with Lee over the Divas Championship. The comment about other returns is also timely, as Bella herself appeared in a WWE ring earlier this year as a participant in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, and at SummerSlam.