CM Punk praised AJ Lee’s recent comeback to WWE as a flawless moment, highlighting the significance of its timing and location. Lee made her return on the September 5th episode of WWE SmackDown after being absent from the ring for ten years. During an interview with ESPN, Punk described the event as “perfect,” emphasizing the importance of the Chicago setting and the timing within the wrestling calendar for such a return to occur.
On AJ Lee’s WWE comeback, Punk said,
“It’s not often that I say nights that happen in this business are perfect, but for me is was. You’d have to ask her, her opinion on it. For me, it was perfect. It needed to happen in Chicago. Luckily, it was right on the calendar; there it was. Perfect. I do not say that often.”
— CM Punk, Professional Wrestler
Punk also shared that he initially believed a return was unlikely due to Lee’s busy schedule outside wrestling, ranging from production company involvement to acting commitments and script rewrites. Nevertheless, when AJ expressed interest and asked for booking ideas, Punk seized the opportunity to craft a potential storyline, sensing a spark of eagerness from her that made the comeback possible.
He explained,
“One day she asked me, ‘I’m so busy doing stuff, but I have this time coming up. If I were to come back, what would you do? Talk to me. Book it.’ That’s what I do. My brain never shuts off and I said, ‘I would do this, this, and this.’ ‘That’d be fun. That sounds cool.’ The fact that she didn’t say no right away and wasn’t turned off by it, there was a hint of a spark.”
— CM Punk, Professional Wrestler
Jimmy Uso Aims to Secure His First Singles Championship
Jimmy Uso, a renowned WWE tag team star, expressed a strong desire to capture a singles title, a goal that remains unfulfilled despite his success in tag team competition. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Uso revealed that winning a singles championship would be a significant personal milestone after his long career focusing primarily on tag team wrestling alongside his brother and other partners.
He stated,
“I would love to have a singles title, just to say that I’ve done it. I’ve been in tag team, still in tag team. Even when my brother went to Raw, I went with Solo (Sikoa). We tagged together and I kinda just stayed with them. I’ve always been in the tag-team scene with anybody, with everybody, especially lately, especially after me (and my) brother split brands. That would definitely be a bucket list for me just to say I’ve held a singles championship.”
— Jimmy Uso, WWE Wrestler
Uso is also preparing for a personal milestone as he and his wife expect their first child around WrestleMania. Reflecting on how his life and career have evolved, he expressed motivation to achieve a singles title run before this significant family event.
He added,
“By WrestleMania, our baby should be here. So, that’s another thing I’m excited about. The world is a lot more different to me these last months. With my wife, with the big announcement and where (we) are today, how life really changed in the blink of an eye for us and our family. So, by April, I’d love to have a singles run, if not, it’s all love. But my favorite part is ‘Mania because I know our little, whatever we’re having, he or she, will be here and I’m excited. This ‘Mania is going to be very exciting for me.”
— Jimmy Uso, WWE Wrestler
Rob Gronkowski Surprised by His 2020 Slammy Award Victory
Former NFL player and WWE personality Rob Gronkowski recently discovered that he won a Slammy Award in 2020 for Celebrity of the Year during a conversation on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, What’s Your Story. Despite earning this accolade, Gronkowski was unaware of its existence and significance within WWE until McMahon brought it to his attention.
The exchange highlighted his surprise and curiosity about the Slammy Awards, which McMahon explained are WWE’s equivalent to the Oscars or Grammys, recognizing notable achievements across the wrestling industry.
McMahon remarked,
“We have something in common cuz we’re both Slammy Award winners. I don’t even know if you know that you’re a Slammy Award winner, but during COVID you won Celebrity of the Year, and I myself won a Slammy, which is a big deal in our business for WWE. And I was [a winner for] Best Heel Moment, I believe, and it was for slapping the crap out of Big Show. Many times, actually, I got a little carried away.”
— Stephanie McMahon, WWE Executive
Gronkowski responded,
“We’ve gotta go back. What’s a Slammy Award?”
— Rob Gronkowski, WWE Personality
After McMahon’s explanation, Gronkowski joked about not being informed earlier, which he felt would have helped him appreciate the award’s prestige sooner. McMahon clarified that these awards have been held in various locations over the years.
McMahon added,
“Oh my god! It’s like the Oscars or Grammys for WWE.”
— Stephanie McMahon, WWE Executive
Adriana Rizzo Eyes Rhea Ripley as a Key Rival
WWE NXT star Adriana Rizzo recently revealed her wish to face Rhea Ripley, identifying Ripley as one of her dream opponents who could elevate her wrestling career. Rizzo expressed enthusiasm on the Stuck In My Thoughts podcast about the dynamic potential of competing against Ripley, calling her “insane” and emphasizing that such a match would rapidly improve her skills.
Rizzo said,
“I’ve always really liked the idea of wrestling Rhea Ripley. Rhea Ripley, she’s insane. I think she’s so good and I feel like she would just level me up so quick. I’m like, just you and me, and then boom. The potential would show.”
— Adriana Rizzo, WWE NXT Wrestler
Currently recovering from knee surgery performed in August, Rizzo acknowledged that Ripley has promised to challenge the winner of the Women’s Worlds Championship match between Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event. This sets the stage for an exciting future interaction between Rizzo and Ripley within WWE’s women’s division.
Upcoming WWE Storylines and High-Stakes Matches
WWE continues to build toward major matches and storyline developments. Key events such as the Women’s Worlds Championship bout at Wrestlepalooza promise to showcase top talent like Stephanie Vaquer, IYO SKY, and Rhea Ripley. These contests not only determine title holders but also carve paths for future rivalries and character arcs.
Additionally, the emphasis on singles competition, as expressed by Jimmy Uso, and the surprise returns of former stars like AJ Lee contribute to an overall atmosphere of unpredictability and excitement. Fans anticipate how these elements will intertwine in the following weeks on WWE programming, especially as WrestleMania approaches.
Significance of AJ Lee’s Return and WWE’s Creative Landscape
AJ Lee’s comeback stands out as a pivotal moment, showcasing how timing and creative vision align to create memorable television. CM Punk’s rare praise of the event underscores its special nature within WWE’s landscape. For Lee, balancing a demanding off-ring career with the choice to return highlights the evolving nature of wrestling careers beyond traditional trajectories.
Moreover, Jimmy Uso’s quest for a singles title signals a broader trend of tag team wrestlers seeking individual glory, adding emotional depth to upcoming matches. Rob Gronkowski’s discovery of his Slammy Award reflects WWE’s reach beyond pure wrestling, incorporating celebrities and entertainment elements that expand its fanbase. Finally, rising stars like Adriana Rizzo eyeing established talents such as Ripley reflect the new generation’s ambition to make significant impacts.
These intertwined narratives create a charged environment within WWE, where legacy, ambition, and timing converge to drive both storylines and real-life developments. Fans can expect a high level of intensity and passion as the company advances toward its key events in the coming months.
