CM Punk has shared the story behind AJ Lee’s surprising return to WWE after a decade away, shedding light on the emotional and professional factors that contributed to her comeback. AJ Lee, who retired in 2015 due to serious neck injuries, made her comeback on WWE’s SmackDown earlier this month, reigniting interest in her legacy and impact on the wrestling world.
The Journey Behind AJ Lee’s Departure from WWE
WWE officially declared AJ Lee retired from in-ring competition on April 3, 2015, following severe neck injuries that forced her out of active wrestling. During that period, she revealed she suffered from herniated discs in her cervical spine shortly before her final match, causing limited mobility and numbness in her hands. Despite the physical setbacks, she expressed feeling fulfilled with her career achievements and at peace with stepping away from wrestling.
Post-retirement, AJ Lee shifted her focus to endeavors such as writing, producing, and commentary. She took on roles with Women of Wrestling (WOW) and pursued creative projects including graphic novels. Although many fans held out hope for her eventual return to WWE, she was initially firm on her decision to remain retired and did not seek to rejoin the professional wrestling scene.
How CM Punk Helped AJ Lee Recognize Her Enduring Influence
AJ Lee’s return to WWE came as a surprise to many, but her husband CM Punk explained to ESPN’s SportsCenter how he helped her see the evolving wrestling landscape and her lasting impact on the industry. He emphasized that the WWE environment had transformed drastically since she stepped away, with numerous wrestlers now in the company who had grown up inspired by AJ’s career.
“Because husband-wife, like do I give her advice? True. Maybe. Does she listen? I don’t know. It honestly was one of those things where I told her that place was 180 degrees, maybe 360, I don’t know, different than when she left it. And all these wrestlers that really grew up watching her, got into the business because of her, were inspired to follow their dreams because she followed hers on such a grand stage.” CM Punk
CM Punk stressed that many of those wrestlers who idolized AJ Lee were now part of WWE, which he viewed as a powerful motivator for her to witness how deeply she was respected. He wanted her to experience firsthand the admiration and love the current wrestling generation had for her legacy.
“Like they were all in the company now. And I just thought it would have been a great way for her to see and understand how great she is and how much she’s loved. So that’s the other fun part of being around and witnessing it. And I just had to kind of explain, like you got to see it to believe it,” CM Punk added.
Context of AJ Lee’s Return and Its Significance
AJ Lee’s return on SmackDown marks a significant moment for WWE, as it reconnects fans with a performer whose career was impactful but cut short by injury. Her comeback not only highlights her resilience but also reflects the evolving opportunities within WWE for women wrestlers. The decision resonates strongly with those who view her as a trailblazer in the division.
CM Punk’s role in her return underlines the personal and professional encouragement that can influence wrestlers to reconsider retirement. By showing AJ Lee how much the wrestling community still values her, he helped bridge a decade-long absence and celebrated her ongoing influence on the sport.
Additional Wrestling Industry Updates
In related WWE news, a prominent star recently disclosed why they initially declined a main roster opportunity in favor of competing within NXT, highlighting strategic career decisions within the industry’s ranks. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Roman Reigns’ unexpected connection to Becky Lynch joining The Vision, a storyline gaining traction among fans.
Concerns about tensions within The Vision also emerged, with reports indicating an original Bloodline member may have had a falling out with Roman Reigns. Reigns himself has been off WWE television since his intense bout with Bronson Reed at the Clash in Paris event, fueling further intrigue.
Looking ahead to WrestleMania 43, there is growing buzz that WWE’s creative team might attempt to revive legends such as The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Shawn Michaels, aiming to elevate the event’s impact. On the AEW side, a tag team appears to have fractured following one partner’s departure during a recent Dynamite episode, signaling potential storyline shifts.
Additionally, a WWE Hall of Famer has not ruled out a possible return despite their absence from the company for over ten years. And at WWE Wrestlepalooza, John Cena’s upcoming fight with Brock Lesnar has drawn particular interest, with media coverage highlighting some amusing moments, including a mispronunciation by an ESPN announcer during promotional material dissemination on Monday Night Football.
