What's Being Said Within WWE About A Potential AJ Lee Appearance At The Royal Rumble

It's been nearly 10 years since AJ Lee wrestled for WWE. Could that streak come to an end this weekend at the Royal Rumble?
Is this the year AJ Lee returns to WWE?
Is this the year AJ Lee returns to WWE? / IMAGO / Dreamstime

It's Royal Rumble weekend and that means that wrestling fans across the globe are starting to get their hopes up that former Divas Champion AJ Lee will finally make her long-awaited return to WWE.

Faint burning embers of hope for an AJ Lee Royal Rumble appearance were transformed into a raging gasoline fire when CM Punk made his shocking return at Survivor Series 2023. Surely if the self-proclaimed 'Best in the World' was back in WWE, then his wife wouldn't be far behind, right?

Well, the wait continues.

AJ Lee
WWE.com

The truth is that AJ Lee, real name April Mendez, has remained extremely busy during her time away from WWE. Mendez has worked on several projects as an actor, writer, and producer. She even released her own independent comic book this past fall. A team-up project with Aimee Garcia called 'Day of the Dead Girl.'

Mendez hasn't completely left the wrestling world since she retired back in 2015. She had a two-year run with WOW: Women of Wrestling as a producer and color commentator and even stepped back into the ring as Elle Dorado on season 2 of Heels - now streaming on Netflix.

More: Ranking Potential Surprise Entrants In The Women's WWE Royal Rumble

Those who worked on that production have told Fightful Select that she 'crushed it' in the ring during her time on set.

Managing Editor Sean Ross Sapp has been inquiring about a potential AJ Lee appearance in Indianapolis this weekend, but higher-ups in WWE said they had not heard of plans being in the works. However, if they were, very few people would know about them.

"She always looks like she'd fit right back in 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." one WWE higher-up told Ross Sapp.

MORE: Why CM Punk Needs To Win The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble

Numerous women in WWE have made comments over the years about trying to pull AJ Lee out of retirement, current rivals Bayley and Roxanne Perez among them.

CM Punk has referenced his wife multiple times in interviews and even on television, which has only further stirred the pot regarding her potential return.

AJ Lee hasn't wrestled for WWE since the March 30, 2015 episode of Monday Night Raw. She teamed with Paige (AEW's Saraya) & Naomi to defeat Natalya and the Bella Twins in a six-woman tag team match.

We'll have to wait and see if she's willing to lace up the Chuck Taylors one more time.

The Latest On WWE, AEW & More

WWE Royal Rumble Predictions: Who Will Punch Their Ticket's To WrestleMania 41?

Stephanie McMahon Interviews WWE Superstars On 'Stephanie's Places' For ESPN+ This March

Exclusive: Mustafa Ali Says He Is The Leader TNA Needs As He Officially Signs With Company

Latest Reports On Becky Lynch And Charlotte Flair Ahead Of The WWE Royal Rumble


Published
Rick Ucchino
RICK UCCHINO

Rick Ucchino has been covering professional wrestling since 2019, but his broadcast career has spanned over 15 years. He can be heard every weekday morning on 700WLW radio in Cincinnati, OH. You can also read his work over on SI's Cincinnati Reds Talk. Follow Rick on X and Instagram: @RickUcchino