Backstage Update on Potential of AJ Lee Making WWE Return at Royal Rumble 2025

Former WWE talent AJ Lee, real name AJ Mendez, last worked for WWE in 2015 but ever since her husband CM Punk’s return to the company, fans have been speculating online about the potential of Lee making her return one day. CM Punk recently added fuel to the speculation of Lee making her in-ring return to WWE following a recent interview where he teased that he knew of a big name who was going to show up as a surprise for the Women’s Royal Rumble match at this Saturday’s Royal Rumble 2025 event.

Fightful Select reported that several WWE high-level officials claimed that they have not heard about a return for Lee to the company. It was reported that this would be something that would be kept extremely close to the vest for plans.

It was reported that while numerous talent across both AEW and WWE have made jokes about pulling Lee out of retirement, there had never been a situation where that would actually be a reality.

One high-level WWE official spoken to stated “she always looks like she’d fit right back on TV, and I’m sure she’s aware that if she decided she wanted to be in the Royal Rumble tomorrow, that could happen.”

In regards to Punk’s recent comments implying Lee being the big surprise and saying he would get in trouble for revealing the name, this same source reportedly stated that they believes Punk intended to mean that he would jokingly get in trouble with Lee for mentioning her.