WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman made headlines this week by downplaying AJ Lee’s status in the wrestling world just days before Wrestlepalooza, scheduled for Saturday night at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Heyman’s remarks on ESPN’s First Take came as Lee prepares to return to the ring for the first time since 2015, taking part in a highly anticipated mixed tag team match.
During the interview, Heyman was asked if he would attend the match featuring Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch against CM Punk and AJ Lee. Rather than showing enthusiasm for Lee’s comeback, he stated that she did not compare to Lynch, whom Heyman labeled as the greatest female wrestler in history due to her historic WrestleMania main event victory. He even suggested that the match setup was somewhat disrespectful to CM Punk’s family.
Paul Heyman Questions AJ Lee’s Wrestling Legacy
Paul Heyman expressed his belief that Becky Lynch’s accomplishments far surpass those of AJ Lee, pointing to Lynch’s groundbreaking achievement as the first woman to main event and win a WrestleMania match. Heyman emphasized that Lynch triumphed over high-profile competitors like Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair, underscoring her elite status in the sport. He controversially proposed that the losing team in this weekend’s tag match should lose AJ Lee as a consequence, indicating a low opinion of her current standing.
“I actually think this is a complete misuse of CM Punk’s family, to be very honest with you. I don’t think AJ Lee is in the league of the greatest woman’s wrestler of all time, Becky Lynch, the first woman to ever main event WrestleMania and win, by the way. She won the match, didn’t just main event it, she won the match against Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair. I think it should simply be Seth Rollins versus CM Punk and the loser keeps AJ,” said Heyman. [H/T: Fightful]
A recent episode of WWE RAW saw Becky Lynch physically confront AJ Lee, delivering a Manhandle Slam to the former Divas Champion, adding tension and anticipation ahead of their encounter at Wrestlepalooza.
Mixed Reactions from Wrestling Figures on AJ Lee’s Return
AJ Lee’s return has sparked varied opinions among wrestling insiders. Vince Russo, a former WWE writer and well-known wrestling commentator, shared harsh criticism of Lee’s recent promo on WWE RAW. On the Sportskeeda Wrestling show Legion of RAW, Russo dismissed the segment as poorly executed, highlighting the disconnect he perceived between the wrestling crowd and the serious topic of mental health brought up during the promo.
“I thought this was horrible. She was talking about freaking mental health. I went for therapy, and now the marks are chanting therapy. I’m like, what are we freaking watching here, bro? This is awful, this is awful, bro. There is not one shred of reality in anything they do. What we’re seeing is for that crowd. If you’re not a part of this crowd, and you’re trying to watch this, good luck!” he said.
Russo’s comments reflect a broader frustration over how wrestling storylines handle sensitive subjects, creating a tense atmosphere ahead of the event.
Anticipation Builds for Wrestlepalooza Showdown
This Saturday’s Wrestlepalooza event marks a pivotal moment, bringing together key figures like Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, and AJ Lee in a mixed tag team format. Set in Indianapolis, the event promises high stakes and emotion as longtime fans witness AJ Lee’s unlikely return to WWE after nearly a decade away. The storyline tensions, combined with Heyman’s dismissive remarks, set the scene for an intense clash that could influence future WWE narratives.
The outcome of the match may not only affect the reputations of the wrestlers involved but also impact fan reception and WWE’s handling of past stars returning to the spotlight. As the event approaches, wrestling enthusiasts will be watching closely to see which team secures victory and how AJ Lee fits into WWE’s evolving landscape.
