Tag: AJ Lee

Roxanne Perez recreates picture with childhood idol AJ Lee

Posted on by Joseph Currier

At WWE Raw last night, Roxanne Perez got to share a locker room with her childhood idol.

Following her return on SmackDown, AJ Lee appeared on Raw in Milwaukee, where it was confirmed that she’ll be teaming with her husband CM Punk in a mixed tag match against Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins at Wrestlepalooza.

Lee also shared a special moment with Perez backstage at the show, with the two recreating a now-famous photo where a young Perez became emotional while meeting Lee.

The two have become friends over the years, and Lee refers to Perez as one of her “wrestling daughters.” Perez has long expressed hope that a dream match between them could happen at some point. That now looks to be a realistic possibility with Lee stepping back in the ring.

“Oh I’m so good,” Perez tweeted while sharing photos with Lee from last night.

Wrestlepalooza will be Lee’s first time competing since announcing her retirement in 2015. She has officially signed a new WWE contract and was on Raw last night for a confrontation with Lynch. In addition to the mixed tag match, it looks like WWE is building up a future Women’s Intercontinental Championship bout with Lynch defending against Lee.

Perez, a member of Judgment Day, is a heel on the Raw roster.

“Definitely, yeah. I try,” Perez said in 2024 about trying to get Lee to return. “But [Punk] tells me that he’s doing the same thing. He’s trying to get her to, like, come back, pulling her in. But I hope one day she decides to come back and have a match with me.”

WOR: RAW report, Wardlow, Styles future, Ali Act, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns with tons to talk about including the death of Chuck Coates, Wardlow’s torn pec, AJ Styles’ future, Arena Mexico with an AEW Tag Title main event, Ali Act update, UFC this weekend, the RAW report and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Chuck Coates passes away, Wardlow injured, MJF wedding pictures update
11:43: AJ Styles’ Raw promo, TKO stock price rises
17:30: AEW title match on CMLL this Friday, notes from NOAH’s N1 opening day
24:09: California commission holds hearing on proposed Ali Act changes, UFC this weekend
37:49: WWE Raw recap, upcoming lineups

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Two new matches added to WWE Wrestlepalooza

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two more Wrestlepalooza matches are now official.

The opening to Monday’s Raw saw the reunited Usos come out and confront Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. After the two teams exchanged words, the Usos demanded a match for Monday’s show. Bron & Bronson balked, instead saying they’d have the match on September 20.

LA Knight then came out and attacked both members of the Vision. However there was miscommunication between Knight and Jey Uso that led to Jey being taken out. That resulted in a show-long storyline where Jimmy tried to persuade Jey to have LA Knight’s back for his match against Bronson Reed in the main event. Jimmy and Jey did help LA Knight after his loss but this time it was Jey that took out LA Knight with a spear, clearly indicating there was still tension between the two.

Another match confirmed for Wrestlepalooza is CM Punk and AJ Lee teaming up to take on Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. After cutting her first promo on Raw in over 10 years, Lee was confronted by Lynch who wanted her Intercontinental title back. After Rollins came out to also demand the return of the title, Lee proposed the mixed tag team match. The two wanted nothing of it at first but eventually agreed after CM Punk came out and attempted to lay out Rollins with a GTS.

The updated card for Wrestlepalooza:

WWE Wrestlepalooza (September 20)

  • John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
  • Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
  • CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
  • Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker vs. The Usos

AJ Lee opens up on mental health journey in WWE Raw promo

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AJ Lee talked about her mental health journey in her return promo on Raw.

The former Divas Champion appeared on Monday’s show for the first time in over ten years. She talked about her time away, saying after she retired in 2015, she thought she had accomplished everything that she had set out to do in wrestling. During her time off, she focused on other things, but most importantly focused on her mental health.

“I wasn’t healthy, I needed to take care of myself, get right. I went to therapy, I got treatment, and I found a way to turn all this mental chaos into my superpower,” she said. “And man, the fight is not easy, everyday is a fight but let me tell you, if you’re going through the same thing, that fight is worth it, you’re worth it.”

Her promo led to an interruption by Becky Lynch, who wanted her Women’s Intercontinental title that she left in the ring on Friday’s SmackDown. Lee told Lynch that if she wanted it, she could come and get it. This brought out Seth Rollins, who demanded she give Lynch’s belt back. Lee instead suggested a mixed tag team match for Wrestlepalooza on September 20: herself and CM Punk vs. Rollins and Lynch. Rollins balked at the idea and started to threaten Lee when Punk came out and attempted a GTS, only for Rollins to escape and bail. Angry, he agreed to the mixed tag for Wrestlepalooza.

After a week of speculation, Lee made her WWE return on SmackDown last Friday, taking out Lynch who had been a thorn on Punk’s side since costing him the World Heavyweight title at Clash in Paris.

WWE Raw live results: AJ Lee appears

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: September 8, 2025
Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI 

The Big Takeaway —

AJ Lee and CM Punk will team against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins at Wrestlepalooza because Lee wouldn’t give back Lynch’s IC title belt. The setup for the match was silly, but Lee’s return promo was worth watching. 

The rest of Raw was not. All five matches tonight had some sort of distraction or interference, and outside of maybe one match, the in-ring action didn’t exactly make up for it. 

**********

Show Recap — 

There was a video package of AJ Lee’s return on SmackDown. Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were shown arriving at the arena in Milwaukee. Lynch was without her Intercontinental title belt after AJ Lee retrieved it. 

Tonight’s announcers are Joe Tessitore and Corey Graves. They said Wade Barrett was on vacation. Graves joked that the internet said Barrett was exiled. 

Jimmy & Jey Uso kick off Raw

Jey and Jimmy Uso entered together through the crowd to Jey’s music. The fans asked them to run it back as usual, so they did. 

Jey spoke briefly about Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed before they quickly interrupted. Breakker told Jimmy (a SmackDown wrestler) he must be lost because the Vision ran Raw. Breakker got flustered in his promo, so he suddenly snapped like he wanted to hit the ring, but Reed held him back. 

All Reed wanted was for Roman Reigns’ family to acknowledge their Tribal Thief. (The crowd sang for Reigns.) Reed said they dealt with Reigns already, and Jimmy would be next. 

Jimmy told him to watch his mouth. Jimmy made some crack comparing them to J&J Security. The Usos also made quips about Paul Heyman, calling him an orca (instead of an oracle, because he looks like a whale) and quoted Hangman Page Reigns by calling him a dumbass. 

The Usos challenged them to a tag match and were ready to do it right now. Reed said they can wait until Wrestlepalooza. 

They were suddenly interrupted by LA Knight, who attacked the Brons from behind. The Usos helped him out, but some miscommunication between Knight and Jey led to Jey getting squashed by Reed in the corner. Jimmy got rid of Reed with a superkick. Jey and Knight argued as the segment ended. 

********

They announced that Raw will start at 7 pm ET/4 pm ET next week (they did not mention anything about the following weeks). 

AJ Styles and LA Knight promos 

AJ Styles cut a promo during a break, and they tried to make it more interesting than the usual off-screen promo. Styles said he didn’t have anyone at his side for the first time in his career. He put up the Too Sweet sign before putting it down. 

He said Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson weren’t there. Michin was on SmackDown. It almost felt like someone orchestrated a way for him not to get help. He would take things out on El Grande Americano tonight so the person who didn’t want him there could feel his pain. 

After a break, Knight said he didn’t care about The Usos’ reunion or their match at Wrestlepalooza. If Jey Uso had a problem with him, they could deal with it face-to-face. Knight wanted one of the Brons in a match tonight. It could be Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, LeBron James, Little Bronny, or Charles Bronson. He just wanted to beat the piss out of someone named Bron. 

********

AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) 

Styles attacked Kaiser during his entrance and beat the crap out of him until the referee decided to start the match after Styles clotheslined him out of the ring. Styles continued to beat him up and seemed on the verge of a quick win, but as he set up for the Phenomenal Forearm, a second man dressed like El Grande Americano (in a track suit) ran out to grab him by the leg (while Kaiser distracted the referee). 

Kaiser took control, so it was time for commercials. Styles made his comeback when they returned and hit a rack bomb for two. Kaiser begged off as he backed into the corner. Styles fell for it, so Kaiser dropped him over the top turnbuckle and hit a blockbuster for two. 

Styles was about to go for a Styles Clash, but stopped what he was doing as the other masked man jumped on the apron. Dragon Lee ran out to take him out, and Styles gave Americano/Kaiser a Styles Clash for the pinfall win. 

The crowd certainly liked Styles, and they popped big for his win. 

Match result: AJ Styles defeated El Grande Americano (9:00) 

********

Adam Pearce informed Iyo Sky that Stephanie Vaquer couldn’t make it to Raw, so the contract signing was off. However, he still anticipated her being ready for their title match at Wrestlepalooza. Sky was relieved. Nikki Bella approached Sky and put her over, but Asuka and Kairi Sane barged in. 

Asuka told Nikki to leave. Nikki told Asuka to show some respect. Asuka laughed at that and offered to beat some respect into her tonight. Nikki accepted. 

Sane tried to apologize to Sky, but Asuka called her away. 

(Asuka is great in this role.) 

********

They claimed that the clip of AJ Lee’s return received 178 million “social views.” They aired a video package for her, highlighting her career and run as a multi-time Divas Champion. 

Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/Roxanne Perez)

Rodriguez took control after catching Valkyria’s flying crossbody attempt and hitting a fallaway slam. Rodriguez wrenched Valkyria back-first against the ring post before hitting consecutive corkscrew elbow drops to the back. 

Rodriguez continued to work over her back during a break, but Valkyria made a comeback with a spinning heel kick, some sort of bulldog/jawbreaker, and tornado DDT. Rodriguez followed with a rope-assisted vertical suplex for two. 

Valkyria went for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Rodriguez held onto the ropes. Valkyria hung on to Rodriguez, sat up, powered her down, hitting the powerbomb for a nearfall. (Graves put over Rodriguez’s strength here, but it was really Valkyria with the impressive showing.) 

Valkyria tried going for Nightwing but dropped Rodriguez, partially because her back was hurt and because Perez hopped on the apron (which we also saw in the last match). 

Valkyria and Rodriguez traded counters until Valkyria applied a deep cradle for two. Valkyria went to the top, but Rodriguez brought her down with a Tejana Bomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Raquel Rodriguez defeated Lyra Valkyria (12:41) 

This was a pretty good match despite some weak spots. The crowd seemed more into Valkyria than they had been in recent weeks or months. 

********

The War Raiders met with Penta backstage before Penta met with Pearce. Penta said everybody loved Penta when he got to WWE, but he wondered why Pearce didn’t love him. Pearce wondered what he meant, so Penta told him that his Intercontinental Champion was a pendejo. Penta wanted a title match. 

Rusev interrupted them. He reminded Pearce that his plan was for him to return, crush Sheamus, and get a title match. Penta got in his face, so Pearce made a match between the two for tonight. (They had so little planned for tonight that we’ve had two impromptu matches.)

******** 

New Day (with Grayson Waller) cut a promo during commercials, the only time they seem to talk. 

AJ Styles thanked Dragon Lee for having his back. Jimmy Uso approached them to say hi and ask where Jey was. 

Jimmy saw Jey nearby. Jey had his bag and was leaving. Jimmy said they had a play to run by helping Knight against Reed. Jey didn’t care about that. Jey didn’t appreciate what happened earlier. Helping Knight wasn’t going to help the Usos or help him get the world title back. Jey was pissed and said they should all acknowledge the Usos, or they would smash them all. Jimmy said Jey was starting to sound like Reigns. 

******** 

AJ Lee segment

AJ Lee entered to a big reaction, wearing Lynch’s Intercontinental title belt. She wanted to introduce herself to the fans who weren’t around ten years ago and explain why their millennial parents were so excited on Friday. She was your favourite wrestler’s favourite wrestler. 

She retired ten years ago because she thought she had accomplished everything she wanted in wrestling. She didn’t plan on getting in the ring again wearing jean shorts that were two sizes too small. So she went on another journey to accomplish other dreams she had in life. And she did it. 

She also went on a mental health journey. She wasn’t healthy and needed to take care of herself and get right. She went for therapy (and was happy to hear the fans cheer therapy). She took all the mental chaos and turned it into her superpower. Every day was a fight, but that fight was worth it. You are worth it. 

She felt really good for a long time. And then she watched Raw. Healing wasn’t linear. It was one thing to watch your husband face Drew McIntyre or Seth Rollins or John Cena, but it was another seeing him in there with Becky Lynch. 

AJ Lee wanted to like Lynch. They had so much in common. Lynch was a leader, a rebel, and a New York Times best-selling author. (Lee added that she did that first.) Then she saw Lynch motorboat her husband. She put her hands on him and defamed him. 

Lynch interrupted. She said this was not about AJ’s stank-ass husband. She thought everyone was insane and pointed out Lee wearing her title. Lynch informed Lee that they were nothing alike. Lynch got in a fan’s face before telling everyone was the greatest women’s wrestler of all time. 

The crowd told Lynch that she sucked, and Lynch said she’ll need to go to therapy after this. The crowd chanted, “Therapy.” Lee told her that therapy worked. 

Lee claimed she forgot she was even wearing the IC title belt. She’s been skipping around the house with it, and she slept with it. Things even got a little awkward with it this morning. Before she explained further, she noted Lynch’s black eye (hidden by Lynch’s large sunglasses). 

Lee said Lynch was the greatest of all time, so if she wanted her belt, she should come get it. 

Lynch wondered where CM Punk was and wondered what kind of man hid behind his wife. This had nothing to do with AJ Lee. She stuck her neck where it didn’t belong. Lynch called out Rollins so Lee could see what a real man and champion looked like. Rollins entered and told Lee to give back the title so they could leave this dump of a city. 

Lee offered Lynch a chance to get her belt right now so she could give her another black eye. Or, they could agree to a tag match: AJ Lee and CM Punk against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. 

Rollins explained that he was the champion, and he called the shots. He was going to get in the ring and get the title back for his wife. Lee thanked him for mansplaining. Rollins stepped into the ring, but Lee stepped between him and the title and got in his face.

CM Punk appeared and was about to hit Rollins with a GTS, but Rollins escaped. Rollins was pissed, so he accepted the tag match challenge for Wrestlepalooza. Lynch didn’t like that. 

Because the deal was made, Lee tossed the IC title belt out of the ring so Lynch could have it back.

(This was a very long segment. AJ Lee was great with her re-introduction promo. But it’s silly that this big tag match being made came down to who had possession of the physical IC title belt.) 

********

Bayley is still talking to herself. 

Rusev vs. Penta 

Rusev held control until Penta fought back after a break, but of course, we need a distraction, so New Day ran out with Waller. Penta wiped them out with a dive. He was about to hit another dive, but Rusev blocked it. Back in the ring, Penta caught Rusev with a Code Red for a nearfall. (Tessitore called it a Mexican Destroyer, and Graves corrected him.) 

For the third match in a row, somebody hopped on the apron. Penta kicked Xavier Woods off the apron before flying off the top rope, but Rusev caught him with a mid-air Machka kick for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Rusev defeated Penta (8:33) 

********

During a break, Vic Joseph interviewed Dominik Mysterio about his AAA Mega Championship match against El Hijo del Vikingo. The fans sang Dom’s name and cheered him as he left. 

Brock Lesnar will be on Friday’s SmackDown. 

Jimmy Uso approached LA Knight. Jimmy said they should be on the same page against the Vision. Knight wasn’t interested in anyone’s help anymore. He tried to play nice and got superkicked in the mouth instead. Knight also recalled being cost the world title by both Jey and Jimmy on separate occasions. If Jimmy wanted to help, he should stay out of it because Knight planned on doing it alone. 

******** 

Nikki Bella vs. Asuka (w/Kairi Sane)

This was a first-time ever match. There were deuling chants as the match began. 

Asuka dodged a baseball slide and hid behind Sane. Nikki shoved Sane aside (another match with a distraction), allowing Asuka to kick her in the face and take over ahead of a break. Asuka held a rest hold as the commercial counter ran down. 

Asuka hit a German suplex following the break, but Nikki avoided a missile dropkick and fought back with strikes and a springboard kick for two. Asuka hit strikes of her own, but Nikki blocked an Asuka Lock and hit an Alabama Slam for two. 

Asuka hit a roundhouse kick, spinning heel kick, and applied the Asuka Lock for the submission win after Nikki tapped out. 

Match result: Asuka defeated Nikki Bella (10:29) 

It was a pleasant surprise that Asuka won, especially because Nikki just doesn’t look that good in the ring. This was an uninteresting match, and Nikki seemed hesitant to take any strikes. 

********

Next week on Raw (7 pm ET/4 pm ET start time): 

  • AJ Lee & CM Punk go face-to-face with Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins 
  • Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez 
  • John Cena appears 

******** 

Judgment Day met backstage. For at least the third week in a row, Finn BĂĄlor and JD McDonagh wondered where Dom was all night. BĂĄlor didn’t like Dom hanging out with El Grande Americano. Dom said it was a lucha thing, and they didn’t understand. Dom was upset they got tossed from ringside last week, and he stormed off. Perez left to go talk to him. 

********

Asuka confronted Nikki backstage. Asuka said she did to Nikki what Sky would do to Vaquer. Nikki, who just tapped out, acted tough and asked if she was ready for round two. They argued until Nikki shoved Asuka. 

The camera panned out to show Rhea Ripley, who magically appeared beside Nikki. Ripley asked if there was a problem, and Asuka said she had two (while pointing at them). Asuka called herself the top woman in WWE, so Ripley reminded Asuka that Sky, not her, was going for the world title. Asuka told her to zip it and left. (Sane stood there awkwardly until Asuka called her away again.) 

******** 

LA Knight vs. Bronson Reed (w/Bron Breakker)

About ten minutes into the match, Knight avoided a charge outside the ring, and Reed fell into the timekeeper’s area. Back in the ring, Reed blocked a neckbreaker, but Knight dodged a senton and hit a diving elbow drop for two. 

Knight went for a BFT, but Reed shoved him off, and Knight bumped Breakker off the apron (so four of five matches tonight had an outside party hit the apron). 

Knight stumbled back into Reed, who hit a DVD for the surprise pinfall win. The crowd seemed caught off guard by the DVD being the finish. The move is now called the “Jagged Edge,” and we know this because Tessitore screamed it repeatedly. 

— The Brons attacked Knight until Jimmy Uso ran out for the save, but Breakker cut him down with a spear. Jey ran down next, but Breakker speared him too. 

Knight attacked the Brons with a chair and ran them off. Knight helped Jimmy to his feet. 

Jey suddenly speared Knight, which got a mixed reaction. Jey told him they were even. 

Match result: Bronson Reed defeated LA Knight (11:43)

Since “beating” Seth Rollins at SNME, LA Knight has won one of his last seven matches, and that one win was by DQ in a tag match.

AJ Lee posts first message since WWE return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Lee is dedicating her WWE return to her loyalest of fans.

After returning last Friday on SmackDown, Lee sent out a message on social media today, showing appreciation to her fans for how they stuck with her during her 10-year absence from the ring. The post was sent out in advance of Lee appearing on tonight’s WWE Raw episode in Milwaukee.

“You’ve had my back for a decade,” Lee wrote. “This run is for you, my wonderful weirdos.”

In her return, Lee confronted Becky Lynch and got some payback for how Lynch has been taunting CM Punk. It’s expected that this is leading to a mixed tag team match between married couples Lee & Punk and Lynch & Seth Rollins at WWE’s Wrestlepalooza PLE on Saturday, September 20.

Wrestlepalooza will be Lee’s first match since retiring in 2015. She was a three-time Divas Champion during her first run and was prominently featured as a character throughout WWE storylines.

The 38-year-old Lee has officially signed a new contract with WWE in her return.

Outside of wrestling, Lee has been focused on working as a writer as well as being a mental health advocate.

The Wrestlepalooza mixed tag match could become official with Lee’s appearance on Raw tonight. With Lynch holding the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, we’ll see if this feud also leads to a title match between her and Lee down the line.

WOR: AJ return, big show line-ups, weekend news!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including three unfortunate deaths, MJF’s marriage, line-ups for all the major shows upcoming including World’s Collide, All Out and WrestlePalooza, Smackdown and Collision results, some mailbag and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Taishin Nagao, Jaka, Rodolfo Ruiz pass away
7:11: MJF & Alicia Atout marry, new WWE Wrestlepalooza matches, Worlds Collide lineup
13:28: Lineups for the coming week
18:20: Updated AEW All Out & WWE Wrestlepalooza cards, Wrestle Kingdom 20 tickets sell out for foreigners
20:21: Nielsen’s new ratings system, more ratings notes
31:37: WWE SmackDown recap
41:01: AEW Collision recap
59:57: Q&A

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WOL: The return of AJ Lee

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

Andrew Zarian is back from a summer break with an all-new Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, catching up on all things pro wrestling.

He starts out catching up on all the things that happened this summer on his break, including the partnership between ESPN and WWE to carry all the PLEs. Why are they doing it, will it work, and how will it be perceived on a sports-centric network?

The big story of the week happened on Friday’s SmackDown with the return of AJ Lee to confront Becky Lynch after she again attacked CM Punk in a well-done segment. I discuss the differences between when she left and the current landscape of women’s wrestling, which she’s now entering.

He also discusses this week’s AEW Collision, including FTR’s presentation as 1980’s throwback heels, and the nostalgic presentation in the 2300 Arena. But, does it resonate with a larger viewing audience?

Plus, HBO Max is carrying AEW PPVs, Bryan Danielson is now on the AEW announce team, a Dynamite preview, and MJF gets married.

All this and more!

Click here to listen or watch on YouTube

AJ Lee appearance and more announced for WWE Raw

Posted on by Ian Carey

For the first time in over a decade, AJ Lee is scheduled for WWE Raw.

On Sunday, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced via social media that Lee will be live on Monday’s show, which is scheduled for the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“Everybody saw what took place on Friday, and now, for the first time in more than a decade, AJ Lee will be live in the house on the flagship,” Pearce said.

Two singles matches have also been booked for Monday. AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano, and Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez are now scheduled. Also, Pearce revealed that both Jimmy and Jey Uso will be live.

“The Usos, in my opinion, future first ballot Hall of Famers, they will be in the Brew City and what will they have to say? Let’s find out together,” Pearce said.

WWE Raw lineup for Monday, September 8, 2025:

  • AJ Lee to appear live
  • AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano
  • Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • Jimmy and Jey Uso will appear live

Saraya, Bayley, Roxanne Perez and more react to AJ Lee’s WWE return

Posted on by Ian Carey

Several wrestling personalities have reacted to AJ Lee’s return to WWE after more than a decade away.

Lee’s return took place in the final segment of WWE SmackDown on Friday night in Chicago. She came out to confront Becky Lynch, who has been antagonizing Lee’s husband CM Punk over the last week.

Saraya wrote: F–k, my heart is so full watching  @TheAJMendez come back. Love you sister. Go show ‘em why you’re the best in the world

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

Bayley wrote: LIGHT IT TF UP

Elayna Black (formerly known as Cora Jade) wrote: All is right in the world

Roxanne Perez wrote: MOMMYS HOME

The official MLB account on X wrote: “Let’s light it up, light it up, light it up Light up tonight, let’s light it up AJ Lee and CM Punk throwback at Wrigley Field”

Cathy Kelley wrote: “The reason i started watching wrestling is back in wrestling”

As first reported by Bryan Alvarez, the plan is for Lee to team with Punk against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins in a mixed tag at WWE Wrestlepalooza on September 20, the first PLE to air on ESPN. It will be Lee’s first match in over a decade. Her last WWE match was the Raw after WrestleMania 31 in 2015, when she teamed with Naomi and Paige (Saraya) in a win over Natalya and The Bella Twins.

VIDEO: AJ Lee signs new WWE contract

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AJ Lee has signed a new WWE contract.

Shortly after her return to the company on Friday’s SmackDown, Triple H posted a video of Lee signing her new WWE contract.

“Ink to paper…the calm before the storm,” he wrote.

He also posted an additional picture of himself with Lee and CM Punk following her return on SmackDown.

After being gone from the company for the last ten years, Lee made her return to WWE on Friday’s SmackDown, skipping to the ring to confront Becky Lynch who had repeatedly slapped her husband just moments before. Lee eventually made it to the ring and took out Lynch with a Thesz press, then sent her packing with a slap. The last moments of SmackDown saw Lee and Punk hug to close out the show.

Lee had been gone from WWE for over 10 years, choosing to retire after WrestleMania 31 due to a neck injury. She chose to largely remain out of pro wrestling during that time, instead developing a career as a writer and a mental health advocate.

AJ Lee makes WWE return on SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

After a week of speculation, AJ Lee has made her return to WWE.

The final segment of this week’s SmackDown saw Seth Rollins introduce his wife, Becky Lynch, who called out CM Punk. As Lynch became confrontational with Punk, he exited the ring and said he would never put his hands on a lady, but knew someone that would. That brought out Lee, who skipped to and around the ring to a massive reaction from the Chicago crowd. She soon confronted Lynch, taking her down with a Thesz press then sent her out of the ring with a slap. Punk and Lee hugged as the show came to a close.

After SmackDown had concluded, Lee grabbed the Women’s Intercontinental title that Lynch had left and posed with it.

Friday marked the first time in over ten years that Lee had stepped foot in a WWE ring, choosing to retire following WrestleMania 31 due to a neck injury. During her time away from wrestling, she began a writing career and also became an advocate for mental health awareness. She made a brief return in 2021 to join Women of Wrestling as an executive producer and color commentator before departing in 2023.

The build to Lee’s return began at Clash in Paris when Lynch cost Punk the World Heavyweight title to help her husband, Seth Rollins. On the following Raw, Lynch confronted Punk and slapped him repeatedly until he exited the ring and left. However, he made it clear backstage that he would be in Chicago for SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown live results: John Cena makes his final Chicago appearance

Posted on by Marc Quill

A huge episode of SmackDown takes place in the Chicago area tonight at Allstate Arena.

With his December retirement approaching, John Cena will appear on SmackDown for the final time. It will also be the last Chicago appearance for Cena, who is coming off a victory against Logan Paul at Clash in Paris and heading toward an expected clash with Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza.

A hometown appearance by CM Punk — and possibly the return of his wife AJ Lee — have been teased. The two are reportedly set to face Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch in a mixed tag match at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza PLE.

Following his United States title victory, Sami Zayn will appear tonight. Zayn has said he’s looking to start his reign off with a bang.

There will be a Women’s United States Championship match with Giulia defending her gold against Michin. Plus, rivals Damian Priest and Aleister Black meet in a singles match.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Over shots of Chicago, we were welcomed to the show by Michael Cole. Shots of Damian Priest, Aleister Black, Michin, Giulia (with Kiana James), as well as hometown hero CM Punk arriving to the Allstate Arena were shown.

– Inside the arena, Cole (who’ll be on SmackDown for the next two months in the place of Joe Tessitore) and Corey Graves tossed to a recap of Clash in Paris last Sunday.

John Cena kicks off SmackDown

To a loud reaction from the Chicago faithful, John Cena made his way down to the ring to open the evening. Once Cena entered the ring, he took the mic and began to address the crowd, but was interrupted by “thank you, Cena” chants. He acknowledged the chants because it meant something special to him that it came from the Chicago crowd.

Cena talked about how people told him at the start of the retirement tour to enjoy it while it lasted, but he was focused on getting his mojo back and give his absolute best. However, tonight, Cena said he was just here to take it all in. He said that tonight is what makes Chicago special, and that the crowd’s reactions were apparently enough to bring people back into WWE. The crowd chanted “AJ Lee” in response to that.

Cena said that this was the last time for him in Chicago, and the last time he’d ever be on SmackDown as he recounted his debut 23 years ago on this very show. Cena talked about the moments he had in Allstate Arena, like fighting Triple H at WrestleMania 22 or facing CM Punk at Money in the Bank 2011. Cena noted that there’s always been talk about who the greatest crowd was, but in his eyes, there was no question. The Chicago crowd let Cena experience humility, failure, and above all else, joy. He went on to thank the crowd and told them to enjoy a hell of a night tonight.

Before Cena could exit, the music of the new U.S. Champion Sami Zayn interrupted. In the ring, Zayn said that he didn’t want to interrupt Cena’s moment as the crowd booed him unexpectedly. He wanted to thank Cena on behalf of everyone in the back for what he did for us. Zayn wanted to bring things full circle, as he remembered how he debuted against Cena as the U.S. Champion. And as such, he was going to debut the Sami Zayn U.S. Open Challenge with Cena’s permission. The former U.S. Champion approved of Zayn’s proposal and tried to leave again. Zayn stopped Cena and said he wanted to pay it forward to Cena and give Cena a shot at the U.S. Championship, much like he did a decade ago.

Zayn didn’t want to do it in a month, or next week, but rather right now. “If you want some, come get some!” Zayn challenged Cena. Naturally, Cena accepted the challenge.

A solid opening segment as Cena and the Chicago crowd really got things going here, and Zayn’s appearance sets up a huge opening bout.

United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. John Cena

The match was already in progress heading out of the commercial break as Cena and Zayn locked up in the middle of the ring. Zayn threw Cena with an arm drag before he applied an arm submission for a moment. Cena responded with an arm drag of his own as he had Zayn in a headlock. Zayn attempted a springboard leapfrog, but couldn’t quite get all of it, but that gave him the upper hand on Cena. Zayn delivered a suplex on Cena and looked for another one. Cena, however, countered with a suplex on Zayn.

Zayn whipped Cena hard into the corner, which didn’t seem to please the very pro-Cena crowd in Chicago. Cena threw Zayn with a particularly hard Irish whip that sent the U.S. Champion flying into the corner. We took a break with both men down in the ring.

Our match returned with Zayn being hoisted up by Cena for an AA attempt that the U.S. Champion just barely escaped. Cena turned Zayn’s attempt at a springboard move into a successful Attitude Adjustment, but could not pick up the three. As Cena recovered, Zayn tried to hit the Exploder Suplex, but that got turned around into a Kevin Owens-style pop-up powerbomb by Cena.

Both men struggled to get up on opposite corners as Cena charged at Zayn, but missed and ended up hitting the corner. Zayn missed on a Helluva Kick and fell victim to an Angle Slam courtesy of Cena. One, two…. NO! As both men got themselves up in the middle of the ring, they began to trade strikes until they took one another down with clotheslines, which took us to a second commercial break.

During the break, Cena once again paid tribute to Kurt Angle with an Ankle Lock on Zayn, who responded with an Attitude Adjustment on Cena. Once we returned we got a replay of what happened during the break, which was interrupted by Zayn hitting the Helluva Kick on Cena. One, two… Cena kicked out at 2.9999999!!!! Zayn dragged Cena to the middle of the ring before he headed to the top rope. Cena got up and hoisted Zayn up for a GTS, but that still wasn’t enough to earn him the U.S. Championship.

In the corner, Cena sized up Zayn and beckoned him to get up, as he hit an Edge-styled Spear on his foe. Zayn still kicked out of it. Cena attempted an RKO, but Zayn countered that. He then immediately put Zayn on the top rope and looked for an avalanche AA, which he connected with. As both men were left down and out after that, the music of Brock Lesnar interrupted.

Lesnar pulled the referee out before he hit an F5 on Zayn as he entered the ring. He then put Cena on his shoulders and delivered an F5 to him. He then grabbed Cena and hit one more F5 to his foe.

Sami Zayn vs. John Cena went to a No Contest

That was a fantastic match that was unfortunately ruined by a non-finish meant to build towards a match that honestly does nothing for me at all.

**********

– We learned that John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar will happen at Wrestlepalooza, as Nick Aldis was looking to address what was going on. Carmelo Hayes walked up to Aldis and wanted a U.S. Title match, but the Miz butted in and tried to get a WWE Tag Title Match for him against the Wyatt Sicks. Aldis said he’d take it under advisement as he walked off. Hayes seemed unhappy with Miz speaking on his behalf again, as Becky Lynch was seen arriving to the arena.

Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black

Black attacked Priest as he was making his entrance as things turned into a brawl at ringside. Black struck Priest with a knee to the face that drove him over the barricade.

As we returned to SmackDown, Priest walked his way back into the ring, but got kicked in the head by Black for his troubles. Now with both men in the ring, the match began proper. After Priest missed a punch, Black took over with another kick to the noggin. Priest recovered with a surprise headbutt to Black, who answered with a modified crucifix submission.

Black took Priest down with a top-rope Meteora for the two-count, as we took an oddly-timed commercial break just a couple of minutes into this one.

The action resumed as Priest had Black stunned on the top rope and hoisted high for a Razor’s Edge. Black escaped and got the spinning elbow, followed by a running knee on Priest for a near-fall. Priest struck Black from the corner with a pair of elbows of his own, followed by a fierce clothesline. Priest maintained momentum with a barrage of elbows that left the Dutchman reeling. Old School crossbody by Priest managed to send Black rolling to the outside.

Black was then slammed with a Flatliner on the apron as Priest set aside the announcer table covering. Priest lifted Black above him and threw him with a Razor’s Edge onto the table. In the ring, Black tried to beg off Priest, but was lifted for South of Heaven, but Black created a distraction via referee, which gave him the opening for Black Mass on Priest and the victory.

Aleister Black def. Damian Priest

That was a fairly decent, hard-hitting match, and the right guy did certainly get the win in this case. This Priest vs. Black feud has been good and I honestly want to see more of it.

**********

– We got a Twisted Tea-sponsored video promo where Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton exchanged words about one another ahead of their match on next week’s SmackDown. We also learned that Brock Lesnar will be on next week’s show, and that Tiffany Stratton will defend here WWE Women’s Championship versus Jade Cargill in a SummerSlam rematch.

– Jade Cargill was shown studying tape of that aforementioned first match as Nia Jax rolled up and talked trash to her.

– Becky Lynch was told by SmackDown GM Nick Aldis that there could not be anymore issues even as he knew that CM Punk was in the building.

Women’s U.S. Championship: Giulia (c) (w/ Kiana James) vs. Michin

Giulia and Michin didn’t waste anytime as they traded quick blows to start off. Michin seemed to get the better of Giulia in the exchange, with momentum maintained in the ring by way of a well-placed dropkick. The Women’s U.S. Champion stopped that cold as she caught Michin’s baseball slide attempted and turned that into an elevated neckbreaker to the outside.

We returned from the break with Giulia battering Michin with headbutts, but was met with a pair of German Suplexes by the challenger. Michin had Giulia stunned in the corner with a running cannonball as she set up Eat Defeat. Giulia escaped and delivered the sitout driver, but she couldn’t put this one away. Michin fought back with a sitdown powerbomb for the two. Kiana James got involved on the apron and found herself flattened by a legdrop from Michin. Unfortunately for the challenger, this left her open to Giulia’s Arrivederci knee for the three and the successful title defense.

Giulia def. Michin via pinfall to retain the Women’s U.S. Championship

An alright match, but I feel there wasn’t really enough time to let this cook, so to speak.

**********

– Charlottle Flair was lamenting about her knee injury at the hands of the Secret Hervice, when Alexa Bliss and “Dr. Lilly” showed up to assure her that the “power of friendship” will heal Flair’s pain.

Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch close out SmackDown

Seth Rollins made an unannounced arrival to the Allstate Arena, as he appeared in the crowd with a microphone in his hand. Rollins said that tonight we would be all witnesses to history, because the “legend” of Chicago’s hometown hero CM Punk would die for good tonight. And to do the honors with him, Rollins introduced his “sexy, brilliant, incredible Irish wife” Becky Lynch.

Lynch stood in the ring while Rollins remained in the crowd, and the “AJ Lee” chants grew louder and louder. “How dare you chant another person’s name while I’m standing in this ring!?” admonished Lynch, who boasted about being the greatest women’s wrestler of all time, and it wasn’t just her saying it. Lynch took some digs at Chicago’s sports teams for being terrible, just like CM Punk was.

Punk himself entered to a massive reaction from his hometown crowd, which he took all in as he made his way down to the ring. Punk said to Lynch that this wasn’t about her, but rather the cowardly husband that was hiding in a skybox. Lynch remained defiant as ever, as she asked how Punk’s pride was feeling after what happened on Raw this past Monday. Punk told Lynch that she would let the crowd chant AJ Lee’s name because we were in Chicago. Punk said that he could call in a favor to Bayley or Rhea Ripley to deal with Lynch, who once again antagonized Punk with slaps to the face and mockery.

“You’re an embarrassment to the city of Chicago, and that’s saying a lot,” said Lynch. Punk answered that this was a situation that he expressedly wanted to avoid because he never put his hands on a lady. Thankfully, though, there was someone he knew that would. AJ Lee’s music played as she made her entrance to a loud, loud reaction from the hometown crowd.

AJ skipped around in her usual manner before she entered the ring to confront Lynch. AJ went after Lynch with strikes off a Lou Thesz Press. Lynch tried to escape, but got a hard slap for her troubles from AJ. Punk challenged Rollins to face him before he entered the ring and gave his wife a hug.

The championship couple of Rollins and Lynch were left retreating as SmackDown faded to black with Punk and AJ standing tall.

**********

I will say ending SmackDown with the hometown heroes getting the upper hand and a big return for AJ Lee was the right call to make. Other than that, this show fell off a bit of a cliff for me after the disappointing non-finish to Cena vs. Zayn. That isn’t to say the show was terrible, just that nothing really stood out for me after getting robbed out of a good finish in that opening contest.

Big spoiler reported for tonight’s WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Josh Nason

The following contains spoilers for tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Chicago.

The rumors of former WWE women’s star AJ Lee returning to join husband CM Punk against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch appear to be more than just rumors based on new intel from PWInsider.

The outlet reported Friday that Lynch is set to close tonight’s SmackDown. That comes after Punk’s name was removed from the official preview for the show earlier in the day.

Punk and Lee famously reside in the Windy City with Punk throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field Friday for his beloved Cubs.

Lynch helped cost Punk his shot at regaining the WWE World Heavyweight title at Clash in Paris, aligning with Rollins in The Vision. She then confronted and slapped Punk repeatedly on this past Monday’s Raw — the same show where Lee’s return was teased. During the aforementioned match, Rollins made a point to yell “I hate your family!” to Punk.

It’s expected that Punk and Lee will face Rollins and Lynch at this month’s Wrestlepalooza PLE that kicks off the ESPN era for WWE.

Lee hasn’t wrestled since March 2015 and had retired that same year. In a September 2021 interview, Punk said his wife would not return to the ring.

It is shaping up to be a big edition of the show with John Cena schedule, a rumored appearance by Brock Lesnar, and the potential for Lee’s return. Triple H himself tweeted earlier in the day that the Allstate Arena “is magic…let’s make some more tonight.”

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 PM Eastern.

FREE WOL: Huge SmackDown, Cena’s final matches, Lesnar

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez is back with A FREE SOLO SHOW talking tons of news including a potentially huge Smackdown tonight, John Cena’s final appearances and his last match, NXT bucks the trend of terrible ratings, tons of questions and phone calls, and more! Best of all it’s FREE! If you love it, sign up wherever you are listening to this and get EIGHT FOUR brand new podcasts talking pro-wrestling every single month, plus archived shows! A Fun Friday as always, so check it out~!

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