AJ Lee Returns to the Fold, Sets Her Sights on Becky Lynch and Bigger Targets
AJ Lee made a pointed return on Monday night in Memphis, turning up the heat on Becky Lynch and reminding the women’s division that she intends to be more than a one-off challenger. With an Intercontinental title match slated for the Elimination Chamber on the horizon, Lee used her ring time to revisit her past, explain her motivations and lay out a clear road map for her revived run.
Confrontation in Memphis: A title shot and an attack
Lee enters the week having already secured a title opportunity against Becky Lynch at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. On Monday she amplified that storyline with a candid promo that blended nostalgia and aggression. She referenced an early championship run—evoking the image of a butterfly belt that harkened back to her initial run—and contrasted that with how different the current landscape feels. When Becky Lynch came out to answer, sparks flew. The pair traded barbs, and the encounter devolved into a physical altercation later in the night after Lynch attacked Lee while she was assisting Maxxine Dupri, who had been injured earlier in the show.
That post-segment attack gave immediate stakes to their upcoming title match. Lee’s comeback narrative now has a visceral, personal edge: she isn’t just challenging for gold, she’s answering a direct affront. The push-and-pull between the two has already created dramatic momentum for the Chamber match and added urgency to what was previously framed as a straightforward title opportunity.
Big-name wishlist and what it signals for the division
Off the mic, Lee made it clear she’s not content to be a one-and-done challenger. During her appearance she rattled off a wish list of opponents she’d like to face during this run, naming several top-tier talents across the roster. That roster callout serves two purposes: it positions her as a legitimate, wide-angle threat to multiple titleholders, and it telegraphs a willingness to be plugged into high-profile feuds beyond the immediate Lynch program.
By listing established stars and rising names alike, Lee is staking a claim for meaningful matches at marquee events, not just a single title shot. Promoters and booking decision-makers now have a clear blueprint for where she can be slotted in the coming weeks: as a contender for the Intercontinental strap at Elimination Chamber, and as a possible player in future title pictures depending on how the Lynch clash unfolds.
What to watch going into Elimination Chamber
With Elimination Chamber looming, the immediate focus is how Monday’s attack will shape the psychology of the title bout. Will Lee channel the indignity of the assault into a redemption arc and rise to the moment, or will Lynch use the momentum of the ambush to further destabilize her opponent? Beyond that single match, keep an eye on the challengers Lee named. The mere fact she called out multiple established stars signals potential multi-week angles: surprise returns, tag-team alignments, or even title unification teasers could spin out from Lee’s re-emergence.
Lee’s presence also raises questions about pacing. A hard-hitting, emotionally charged program against Lynch is the immediate payoff, but the long game could see her woven into cross-division rivalries or booked into high-profile singles matches at spring events. For now, the calendar points to a crucial test at Elimination Chamber and a packed stretch of television that will determine whether this run becomes a short-lived flashpoint or the start of a sustained second act.
Monday’s Memphis stop made one thing clear: AJ Lee isn’t merely back for one match. She’s returned with specific targets, a personal grievance to settle and ambitions that could reshape the women’s midcard picture if she can convert talk into wins.
