It has been ten years since AJ Lee last captured the shoes in the WWE ring, but on Friday evening in Chicago the former triple champion Divás made a long -awaited return and fans broke out as if it were 2014 again.
AJ, who left in 2015 after a dramatic departure from WWE of her husband CM Punk, was long one of the most popular stars in the female division. Her decision came just when the development of women began to form, and eventually created opportunities for new stars, such as Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bayley and Mercedes Money. While her absence left nostalgic fans and longs for her unique combination of charisma and unpredictability, and it seemed that the content that chases projects outside the ring – so far.
The seeds for her return were planted at the collision of WWE in Paris. At the main event, Punk looked ready to get back the heavyweight World Championship from Seth Rollins, only for Becky Lynch to give a low blow that unfairly turned the match in favor of Seth. When punk went back up the ramp, the sign of the fans caught the cameras: “Bring back to WWE.” Punk’s grin in response supported speculation that something bigger was cooking. Maybe he was considering it.
The next night on RAW is teasing only intensified. Becky slapped Punk and mocked his ring as the fans sang Aj’s name – he sings that Becky and Seth did not ignore, but instead leaned, even showed some indignation. Later, when Punk learned that Smackdown was heading to Chicago, writing was on the wall.
Certainly, 5th September at the Allstate Arena Smackdown, WWE Universe received a paycheck. More than 16,000 roaring fans, Aj Lee got a long -awaited return. She wears her signature informal style – even though she exchanged her usual Chuck Taylors for vans – and attacked the ring and jumped her trademark. She attacked Becky Lynch, then accepted punk nostalgically to their pairing on the screen ten years ago. The reaction of the crowd was deafening. Fans flooded the social media commentary on how much she lacked, how she did not lose her trademark playfulness and spunk, and how hearing her themed song “Light It Up” brought back the waves of nostalgia.
Saraya, formerly Paige and one of the wildest rivals, and during the Divas era, shared an emotional message to X.
Their shared history is legendary, with two trading in Divás championship there and back between 2014 and 2015, before retrieving their rivalry of reverse partnership.
Online, buzzing was undeniable. Within one hour of its appearance, over 1.7 million views and 95,000 likes have returned. For SuperStar, which has been away from the ring for decades, this kind of acceptance proves that AJ Lee has not lost step in its popularity. Whatever it comes, it remains to be seen, but with AJ back and immediately entered the story Punk vs. Seth and Becky, WWE just added another massive layer to the already heated dispute.
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Published:
Yashna Talwar
Published on:
September 8, 2025
