Update on AJ Lee’s WWE Return and WrestleMania Plans

AJ Lee’s name has been buzzing again, and this time it feels more deliberate than nostalgic.

After years away from WWE television, her return in late 2025 has quietly turned into one of the most intriguing storylines heading into WrestleMania season. What started as a shocking moment has now evolved into a clear creative direction, with WWE positioning AJ as more than a guest appearance.

Her comeback began with a surprise attack on Becky Lynch during a SmackDown episode last fall, immediately tying her into a high-profile angle. That moment also reunited her on screen with her husband, CM Punk, adding emotional weight and familiarity for longtime fans. AJ followed that up with appearances at major events, contributing to key victories and showing she has not lost her edge inside the ring.

Those early matches were not about titles or spotlight stealing. They were about reminding the audience who AJ Lee is and why she once defined an era of the women’s division. WWE appears to have taken its time, spacing out her appearances and avoiding overexposure. That patience is now paying off as WrestleMania 42 comes into focus.

Clear Direction Toward WrestleMania

According to recent backstage reports, WWE is planning for AJ Lee to compete in a singles match at WrestleMania 42. The current expectation is a championship bout against Becky Lynch, with the Women’s Intercontinental Title likely at stake. While nothing has been officially announced, creative discussions suggest this match has been in the works for weeks.

AJ’s absence from the Royal Rumble raised questions, but it now makes sense. WWE reportedly chose to keep her out of that match to preserve the impact of her WrestleMania moment. Rather than rushing her back into weekly television, the company appears focused on making her return feel special and earned.

If the match is confirmed, it would mark AJ’s first WrestleMania singles bout in over a decade. More importantly, it would place her back on the biggest stage against one of the most dominant stars of the modern era. For fans who followed her original run, this feels like a full-circle moment.

As plans stand, AJ Lee is not just back. She is being positioned for one of the most meaningful matches on the WrestleMania card, proving her return is very much part of WWE’s present, not its past.