AJ Lee Opens Up About Her WWE Comeback
After a full decade away from the ring, AJ Lee is diving deeper into why she decided to step back into WWE—and it turns out, the fans played a huge role in bringing her back.
In a recent interview on “The Takedown on SI,” the former Divas Champion admitted that while she had built a “picture-perfect career” and felt completely at peace in retirement, the thought of a return had been quietly nagging at her for years. Still, the reality of her comeback has been nothing short of surreal.
“For it to have kind of spiralized into a WarGames match and a title?…And now another WrestleMania match? It’s all just been very unexpected and exciting. Fun!” Lee said.
Lee emphasized that her return isn’t just for her own satisfaction—it’s for the fans who never forgot her. Even though she genuinely enjoyed her post-wrestling creative projects, one moment changed everything: seeing the insane turnout at autograph signings.
“That’s when I realized, ‘Oh, they’re still here,'” she explained. “To me, it was at first I really fought them, and so to give them a title run and a ‘Mania match has been just really, incredibly meaningful!”
Now holding the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Lee reflected on how different this run feels on a personal level. During her first WWE stint, she saw herself as a kid. This time around, she says, “I view myself as a woman instead,” and that shift in self-perception has become one of the most enjoyable parts of her return.
Key highlights from the original article (preserved):
- Lee had a “bucket list” for her return and is already checking items off.
- She initially resisted coming back but changed her mind after seeing fans still waiting in 7-hour lines.
- She credits the fans as the driving force behind her decision.
- Her comeback has included a WarGames match, a title win, and a WrestleMania match.
- She now feels more mature and grounded as a performer.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter social-media-style summary or a quote-only version.