When did AJ Lee go on WWE hiatus? Details explored as internet set ablaze over return; Triple H, Naomi, and more react 

AJ Lee’s return to WWE landed on the September 5, 2025, episode of SmackDown in Chicago and caught many people by surprise. The moment came after a tense on-air exchange between CM Punk and Becky Lynch.

Fans chanted AJ’s name, she walked to the ring, and she slapped Lynch, a clear sign the segment would continue beyond that show. The live reaction and the clips that followed spread fast online and became a major talking point for the weekend. AJ Lee first stepped away from WWE in 2015.

Her final run included matches around WrestleMania 31, and WWE announced her retirement from in-ring competition on April 3, 2015, citing neck and cervical spine issues. In interviews and in her memoir she described those injuries and why she chose to stop wrestling then. That decision ended a high-profile chapter in her career and kept her off WWE television for ten years.

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AJ Lee left WWE in 2015 after a serious neck injury

Her in-ring work before 2015 included notable title runs and a strong presence in the women’s division of that era. The retirement announcement came soon after WrestleMania 31 due to neck injury.

AJ later explained the medical and personal reasons behind the choice. Her decision was framed around long-term health and recovery rather than a single incident.

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AJ Lee’s return took place on SmackDown in Chicago and closed the show

The SmackDown segment was built on a recent storyline involving CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. Crowd chants and live reaction helped signal that AJ Lee's appearance was meant to be a turning point, not just a brief surprise.

The match pairing and follow-up for Wrestlepalooza were teased during the broadcast and in coverage immediately after the show.

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A deleted WWE Shop post and company comments increased speculation

Screenshots of a removed WWE Shop social post suggesting new AJ Lee merchandise circulated online and added to the buzz. Media outlets also noted comments from company figures after recent events that many readers read as hints about an AJ Lee appearance. Reporting further indicated that internal creative pitches about her name had been discussed more seriously than in past years.

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Peers and current wrestlers reacted quickly on social media

Fellow performers of AJ Lee posted short messages that showed surprise and welcome. Outlets that collect locker-room reaction tracked posts from Naomi, Roxanne Perez, Elayna Black and others; highlighting a broadly supportive tone among many current talents.

Triple H posted photos on X with Lee, captioning the post:

"You can always come home…Welcome back @TheAJMendez!"

“Caffeine perks you up… but me, I’m some natural dynamite baby.” @TheAJMendez welcome back my lil Dynamite give em hell🧨 #smackdown," reacted the wrestler, Naomi.

"MOMMYS HOME 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤," said Roxanne.

"Ever been in an all women’s show locker room when AJ Lee returns down the road? Crazy vibes man," reacted Shazza.

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The return links directly to Wrestlepalooza and possible follow-ups

On September 20, WWE has a mixed tag match scheduled that features AJ and CM Punk vs. Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. Some reports indicated that WWE was eager to have AJ appear again if the story necessitated such an appearance.

However, further appearances will remain based on creative decisions and medical factors relating to the prior injury sustained by Lee. Until then, the next few weeks will determine how this new development fits within the fall schedule of WWE and how it will be received week after week.