During a time in WWE when women were not getting significant opportunities and time, AJ Lee was knocking down doors by being featured in high-profile programs with main event superstars like John Cena, CM Punk, Kane, Daniel Bryan, and Dolph Ziggler.
However, in a shocking fashion, AJ Lee announced her WWE retirement in April 2015, right after she had a marquee match at WrestleMania 31, teaming up with Paige to defeat the Bella twins. While fans believed for years that they could see the former WWE Divas Champion back inside the squared circle, AJ Lee stayed away from competing.
There was a lot of speculation about why AJ Lee left her life-long dream, including the fact that her real-life husband, CM Punk, had been fired by WWE in 2013. AJ Lee has gone on to accomplish a lot outside of wrestling, but over 10 years after she said goodbye to WWE, it looks like she’s finally coming back.
AJ Lee’s Retirement Was Believed To Have Happened Due To Her Relationship With CM Punk
- CM Punk left WWE in 2014 after the Royal Rumble PLE.
- AJ Lee had been frustrated with WWE’s treatment of women.
- Lee had been stuck in an awkward position during CM Punk’s legal issues with WWE.
When AJ Lee surprised the world by announcing her unexpected retirement from WWE, various rumors started making rounds to dig out the reason for her decision. A prime thought running strong at the time was that AJ Lee left due to the strained relationship of the company with her real-life husband, CM Punk. Not so long before that, CM Punk walked out on WWE, citing creative frustrations and health issues.
This led to a lawsuit battle between CM Punk and WWE doctor, Chris Amann, which somewhat created an uncomfortable situation for AJ Lee to still be in the company, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (H/T Wrestling Inc.) Moreover, she was also frustrated with the way women were treated by WWE, with no meaningful TV time or matches at the time. In fact, that was the only way for AJ Lee to exit the company due to being contractually obligated to a multi-year deal with WWE.
AJ Lee Retired Primarily Due To Neck Injuries
- Lee started taking fewer and fewer bumps in the ring.
- AJ Lee had three herniated discs in her spine.
- Saraya had protected Lee numerous times in their matches with one another.
Despite being speculated that her relationship with CM Punk led to her WWE departure, AJ Lee clarified that she suffered a series of injuries from her years in the wrestling industry. AJ’s good friend, Paige (Saraya in AEW) revealed on WWE Backstage that she was suffering from nagging issues before their match for the WWE Divas Championship at SummerSlam 2014, with the bout being a short one and AJ not taking a single bump.
“I just remember her nursing something and knowing the next day she was going to take a break and go take care of it. We actually got through the whole match without her taking one bump. Which is wonderful! I said, ‘We’re going to protect you at all costs.”
However, AJ Lee went on to reveal the exact nature of the injuries later during her appearance on The Sessions with Renee Paquette, stating that she had three herniated disks in her spine before the match.
“I herniated 3 discs in my cervical spine the week before this match, and couldn’t turn my head or feel my hands. The doctor asked me if I had been in a car crash, haha. @RealPaigeWWE protected me fiercely like a goddamn superhero (I think even helped dress me), so I heart her forever.”
Therefore, it can be cited that severe injuries sustained from the burnout of the wrestling schedule was the main reason for AJ Lee to hang up her Converse shoes in 2015.
AJ Lee Has Pursued Various Ventures Outside Of Professional Wrestling
- Lee released her memoir in 2017.
- AJ Lee has been involved in writing comic books with DC Comics.
- Lee has been involved with various charities, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Jed Foundation, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
AJ Lee’s life after WWE has been nothing short of remarkable. Two years after her retirement, her first book, titled Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules was published on April 4, 2017. The book outlined her upbringing and highly accomplished career in wrestling and debuted among the top 10 on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover non-fiction.
Furthermore, she also oversaw the post-production process of her Netflix film Blade of the 47 Ronin, for which she has also written the screenplay with John Swetman. AJ Lee also wrote a fair share of comic books and served as an ambassador for organizations that worked towards improving mental health and animal welfare.
AJ Lee’s Legacy In Professional Wrestling Continues To Impact Many
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WWE Signing |
May 2009 |
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Final WWE Match |
3/30/2015 Monday Night RAW AJ Lee, Naomi, and Paige vs Natalya and The Bella Twins |
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Notable Accomplishments |
WWE Divas Champion |
The former three-time WWE Divas Champion made her return to the world of professional wrestling in October 2021. AJ Lee became a part of Women of Wrestling (WOW), joining the promotion as an executive producer. She has also provided color commentary for WOW’s weekly television program that began in 2022. In some sense, AJ Lee returned to the business, primarily to serve as an advocate for the betterment of women’s wrestling. In 2023, she announced that she was departing WOW.
AJ Lee’s storied career and legacy will always live in the hearts of the fans who admired her work ethic and will continue to pave the way for future generations of female superstars to make it big in the land of giants, just like she did. Lee has gained the respect of numerous big names in the business. Bayley said to Gabby AF:
“In an interview I just had, they brought up AJ Lee since CM Punk is here. I wouldn’t mind that. I might actually let her throw me over the top rope if she came back. That’s how much I respect her.” (h/t Fightful)
AJ Lee Is Expected To Return To WWE
- CM Punk is often asked about AJ Lee in interviews.
- Drew McIntyre stole a bracelet CM Punk wore that had AJ’s name on it.
- CM Punk and AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch looks to be happening soon.
From the moment AJ Lee retired, fans have been hoping for her comeback. When CM Punk returned to wrestling in 2021 with AEW, many thought it might lead to the return of AJ Lee as well, but she continued to stay away from the ring. That speculation only grew, however, when Punk returned home to WWE at Survivor Series 2023. If CM Punk, of all people, could work for WWE again, then anything was possible.
Fans miss AJ Lee so much that her hoped for return has often come up in CM Punk interviews. The closest she ever got to TV, though, was during Punk’s brilliant feud with Drew McIntyre, which saw Drew rip off the bracelet Punk wore that had AJ and his dog Larry’s name on it. But now that could change.
On the last episode of Raw, Becky Lynch, who is now part of Seth Rollins’ Vision faction, confronted CM Punk in the ring, where she proceeded to mock and slap him several times because she knew he couldn’t retaliate. The crowd immediately saw what was happening and chanted for AJ Lee, and when Punk told Becky she’d regret what she’d done to him, the crowd popped at what he must have been referring to. It has already been leaked by WWE Shop that AJ Lee is coming back, and you can be sure that we’re going to get CM Punk and AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch very soon. Let’s hope this isn’t a short run for AJ Lee and that, most importantly, she is healthy enough to withstand the rigors of the ring.
