Former WWE Champion AJ Lee Expected To Return At Wrestlepalooza

AJ Lee is set to make a highly anticipated return to WWE, teaming with her husband CM Punk to face Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins at Wrestlepalooza, WWE's first premium live event on ESPN. This marks her first match in over a decade, with her last in-ring appearance in 2015. The buildup to this match intensified after Becky Lynch attacked Punk at WWE Clash in Paris and Raw, fueling speculation about Lee's comeback. Meanwhile, Vince McMahon's brief return to WWE's creative and board activities in 2023 led to significant backstage changes and uncertainty among talent, as recalled by Luke Gallows, who described the atmosphere as having become "weird" following McMahon's reappearance. McMahon ultimately left WWE again in early 2024 amid a sex trafficking lawsuit, but despite ongoing legal issues, he celebrated his 80th birthday surrounded by many WWE stars, though sources confirm no plans to reinstate him in the company. The period around McMahon's return and the TKO Group sale of WWE created a turbulent environment for wrestlers and staff, highlighting the complex dynamics behind the scenes.