AJ Lee Receives Thunderous Ovation To WWE Return On SmackDown

Written by Animesh Murai • Published Sep 05, 2025 22:28 EDT
AJ Lee has returned to WWE

She’s here! The Black Widow! AJ! LEE! IS! HERE!

The main event of the September 5 episode of WWE SmackDown saw Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch coming out to address the Chicago audience at Allstate Arena. They began by berating the audience, the city, their sports team, and CM Punk. The 16,678 WWE fans present in the stadium were booing loudly at the World Heavyweight Champion and the Women’s Intercontinental Champion.

To their surprise, CM Punk came out with the entire city of Chicago singing Cult of Personality during his entrance. Punk defended the people and called Rollins ‘a coward’ for hiding behind Paul Heyman and his wife. Lynch took offense to this, which led to a heated exchange between the two. The crowd started chanting ‘AJ Lee,’ and Lynch tried to stop them, but Punk addressed those chants, saying, ‘Let them chant for AJ Lee.’

During the same episode, John Cena addresses the rumours of Lee’s return. Read more.

Lynch then challenged Punk, asking what he would do to take her out. Punk talked about calling a favour in his hometown, while naming Bayley and Rhea Ripley, whom Lynch dismissed, saying, ‘I’ve beaten them before.’ Lynch began slapping Punk again, while provoking him. The Best in the World stepped out of the ring and stood in front of the stage. He said he would never put his hands on a lady, so he then called someone who would.

‘Let’s light it up’

AJ Lee’s Return to WWE

The crowd went absolutely crazy after seeing their favourite Divas Champion return to the company after more than 3800 days. Her last match in the company was on March 30, 2015, more than 10 years ago. She began an all-out assault on Lynch, taking revenge for what she did to her husband, not letting her escape from the ring. Rollins, who was between the crowd, looked absolutely stunned after seeing Lee.

According to reports, the company has plans with the Rollins/Lynch vs. Punk dynamic. Now, with Lee on his side, Punk looks strong to take on them in a mixed tag-team match at WrestlePalooza on September 20.