This former WWE Divas Champion was a beloved figure in the sports entertainment company.

AJ Lee started in the pro wrestling business by competing on the indy circuit starting in 2007 and was signed by the WWE in 2009 where she spent two years in their developmental brand, FCW (Florida Championship Wrestling).

Then a few years later, she was called up to the main roster. Fast forwarding to 2012, she was pushed as a top star in the division and even had a three-month stint as the General Manager of WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night RAW.

She won the Divas Championship a record-tying three times and even held it for a record of 406 days. Alongside her achievements in the sports entertainment company, she won the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year in 2012 and 2014

However, she retired from in-ring performing in 2015 and has not been seen on WWE television since she and Paige defeated The Bella Twins in a Tag Team Match at WrestleMania 31.

It should noted that in 2017 when her book came out, she noted that she had found out that she had permanent damage to her cervical spine and that was part of the reason for her retirement. She also claimed that she felt like she was in the middle of the legal battle between WWE and her husband CM Punk.

Since he departed from the WWE in 2014 after the Royal Rumble PPV (pay-per-view) event, fans have wanted to see Punk compete in the squared circle again. Instead, he took his talents to the world famous Octagon in the UFC.

If you recall, Punk and Colt Cabana are both in the middle of a lawsuit with the WWE’s Doctor, Chris Amann. The reason for the lawsuit is due to the fact of Punk’s interview on Cabana’s podcast. In the past, Punk previously alleged that the WWE are bankrolling the lawsuit, simply to make him spend money.

Mike Johnson of PWinsider.com was asked by a fan whether Lee could return to the WWE when the sports entertainment company moves SmackDown Live to FOX in January of 2019. Here is what he had to say (transcript courtesy of RingsideNews):

“They aren’t going to plan that far out in advance. It’s just not how this business works. AJ Lee mentioned in her book that she chose to get out of the ring due to physical issues. It was not an issue with CM Punk and WWE although she probably felt like the child in the middle of a divorce at that point. She was already planning the next stage of her life, beyond professional wrestling. I don’t see her ever coming back.”

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