AJ Lee’s WWE Contract Update: Return Confirmed To Be More Than a One-Off
The wrestling world is still reeling from AJ Lee’s dramatic comeback on the September 5th episode of WWE SmackDown, and now fresh reports indicate her return is not just a nostalgia cameo.
According to Fightful Select, the former Divas Champion has signed a brand-new contract with WWE. While the exact length and structure of her deal haven’t been disclosed, sources stress that “this isn’t planned to be a one-off.” In other words, AJ Lee is back for more than just a single surprise appearance.
A Surprise Years in the Making
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque confirmed the news almost immediately after SmackDown went off the air, posting a video of Lee signing her contract backstage at Chicago’s Allstate Arena. Her name had been kept off internal rundowns for the show, with only a select handful aware of the plan.
Despite the secrecy, there had been speculation after Clash in Paris that WWE was preparing a major role for Lee in CM Punk’s storyline with Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. Those rumors were put to rest when Lee sprinted to the ring on SmackDown, flooring Lynch with a bench press and a slap to a thunderous ovation.
Ink to paper…the calm before the storm. pic.twitter.com/4fSMOwoUMm
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 6, 2025
Locker Room Reaction
The reaction backstage matched the roar from the Chicago crowd. Fightful reports that some WWE talent not even scheduled to appear that night showed up just to witness AJ’s return in person.
The women’s locker room, in particular, was buzzing with excitement. Several younger stars who grew up idolizing Lee were reportedly “thrilled” to see her back, while one veteran, who had never shared the ring with her, admitted being “shocked it happened.” After years of CM Punk downplaying the possibility of AJ ever returning, the reality of her comeback hit hard.
What’s Next
Lee’s return segment was not just a crowd-pleasing moment — it was a major storyline beat. By coming to Punk’s aid against Rollins and Lynch, she set the stage for a rumored mixed tag team showdown at WWE Wrestlepalooza on September 20 in Indianapolis. If finalized, the match would mark AJ Lee’s first bout in over a decade, pairing her with Punk against WWE’s current power couple.
Whether this leads to more matches, managerial roles, or long-term involvement with the women’s division, AJ Lee’s presence immediately adds star power and nostalgia-fueled excitement to WWE programming.
🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
AJ Lee’s contract news cements what fans had hoped for the moment her music hit in Chicago: she’s back for real. WWE played this perfectly, from the secrecy backstage to the thunderous payoff live on SmackDown. If her Wrestlepalooza bout becomes official, it will be a generational clash that bridges the past and present of WWE’s women’s division. And judging by the locker room’s reaction, AJ Lee’s return may also inspire the next wave of talent to aim even higher.
