AJ Lee, the former Divas Champion, made a surprising return to WWE on the September 5th episode of SmackDown, reuniting with CM Punk after almost 10 years. During the broadcast, Lee intervened in a match where Punk was facing Becky Lynch, attacking Lynch fiercely before seizing her championship title and retaining it.
Following this dramatic comeback, CM Punk addressed the reunion on his Instagram stories by posting a photo of Lee’s return and commenting,
April. Fu***ng. Mendez. And yes, I’m checking out her ass
— CM Punk
This unexpected alliance between Lee and Punk has set the stage for a new rivalry. Both wrestlers are anticipated to embark on a storyline opposing Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, with a major showdown scheduled at the upcoming WrestlePalooza event.
Criticism Emerges From Former WWE Wrestlers Targeting CM Punk
The renewed attention on CM Punk has also brought criticism from fellow wrestling personalities. In a recent interview on TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast, ex-WWE star Matt Riddle expressed strong negative opinions about Punk. He referred to Punk as a “creep,” explaining,
“I have no ill will towards CM Punk. I bet he’s a nice enough guy if you agree with him. But I don’t, you know. I think he’s fake and I think he’s a creep – and that’s coming from me, and people think I’m a creep. I feel like he’s just lingering around the NXT locker room a little too much.”
— Matt Riddle
Similarly, Drew McIntyre, another former world champion and one of Punk’s notable rivals, questioned why wrestling legend Bret Hart holds Punk in high regard. McIntyre bluntly criticized Punk’s wrestling skills and persona, saying,
“CM Punk, I don’t know how Bret [Hart] loves him so much, he’s like the opposite of the Excellence of Execution. His moves are executed terribly, but he believes everything he says and people buy his c**p. Good for him, I guess.”
— Drew McIntyre
Implications of the Reunion and Upcoming Wrestling Storylines
The CM Punk AJ Lee WWE reunion marks a significant development in WWE storylines, especially with their upcoming feud against high-profile wrestlers Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. Their reappearance injects fresh energy into the SmackDown roster while creating tension among other WWE superstars who have voiced frustration with Punk’s presence and style.
With WrestlePalooza approaching, fans and insiders alike are closely watching how this storyline will evolve and whether Punk and Lee’s return will disrupt the dynamics in WWE’s current championship scene. Meanwhile, the public criticisms from peers indicate an ongoing division about Punk’s role in wrestling, which could add further heat to the narrative both on and off screen.
