AJ Lee Says She Wanted WWE To Improve For The Next Generation

AJ Lee says she left wrestling hoping the business would be better for the next generation. Over a decade later, she says she is now seeing those changes for herself.

Speaking at Fanatics Fest in New York City, Lee appeared on a live podcast with WWE Hall of Famers Nikki Bella and Brie Bella, alongside Paige. During the discussion, AJ opened up about her retirement in 2015 and why she never thought she would wrestle again.

Lee said that when she retired, she felt her career had come to a natural end. She believed her story in wrestling was complete and didn’t expect to come back. Instead, she hoped the women who came after her would have more opportunities than she did. Lee said it has been “an extra wonderful surprise” to come back and see how much wrestling has changed (via Fightful).

“Did I ever think I was gonna come back? Oh, no. I think I was kind of wrap stuff up in such a perfect bow, it just felt like I didn’t wanna tarnish that in a way and it felt so completed, I didn’t feel like I had anything left to do, and then seeing how the business evolved, I kind of saw it, like, when you’re a senior in high school and you graduate, you’re like, ‘I hope those freshmen have better teachers. I hope they get a field…’ You don’t expect it for you. So it was just an extra wonderful surprise and a treat to be like, ‘Oh! I get to hang out with this new class? That’s awesome.’”

Over the years, AJ Lee has spoken about wanting more support and better opportunities for women’s wrestling. Looking at today’s WWE, she believes many of those changes have happened. Her return in 2026 has given her a chance to experience that progress instead of only watching it from the outside.

The Bellas, AJ Lee, & Paige all reuniting omg 😭❤️🥹 pic.twitter.com/shgzrFVKdp

— maisha ★ (@BRIZEEMODE) July 19, 2026