It appears that AJ Lee may be making her long-awaited return to WWE.
The events at Clash in Paris – with Becky Lynch attacking CM Punk and aligning with her real-life husband Seth Rollins – set the stage for AJ, Punk’s wife, to return to the ring after a 10-year absence, in what promises to be a huge mixed tag team bout at Wrestlepalooza.
While Lee’s return is clearly being teased – with Lynch on the September 1 Raw acknowledging the crowd chanting her name and Punk himself alluding to his partner in the same segment – until it’s confirmed, there’s always a chance her comeback doesn’t take place and Punk finds another partner instead.
Here are five other potential partners who could join CM Punk to battle Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch at WrestlePalooza.
5. Lyra Valkyria
An obvious alternative is Lyra Valkyria.
Valkyria has been feuding with Becky Lynch since the Raw after WrestleMania this year, with the former tag team partners battling over the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title.
Both hailing from Dublin, Ireland, they’ve demonstrated undeniable chemistry in the ring, producing a series of standout bouts across four PLEs.
Perhaps we could see their seemingly long-term rivalry merge with CM Punk and Seth Rollins’ own forever feud.
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4. Cora Jade
One of the most surprising WWE releases of the year was NXT’s Cora Jade, who was let go in May after being one of the most prominent female wrestlers on the developmental brand.
Departing the company, the 24-year-old stated that CM Punk had acted as a mentor since his return to WWE – he was, she has said, the first person she contacted after her release.
Jade recently announced that she was taking a break from wrestling, but given her relationship with Punk, and his influence within WWE, could we see her return?
This week’s SmackDown comes from Chicago, the hometown of both Jade and Punk – and with Punk already announced for the show, he could bring in another hometown hero if he needs someone to fill the spot that many assume will be occupied by AJ Lee.
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3. Roxanne Perez
Another possible alternative for AJ Lee is Roxanne Perez.
The 23-year-old was another performer CM Punk mentored during her time in WWE NXT – to the point where she has described Punk as her “wrestling dad.”
However, Perez is currently a heel, aligned with the Judgment Day stable, and already has a tag team partner in Raquel Rodriguez.
Despite the clear backstage connection to Punk, her current storyline commitments make it unlikely that she would be aligned with him any time soon.
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2. Bayley
Bayley is another potential alternative for this prominent role alongside CM Punk in place of AJ Lee.
In storyline, the 36-year-old has been going through a crisis of faith.
Recent segments on WWE Raw have portrayed a battle for her soul – a clash between the babyface “Hugger” Bayley and the darker, heel version of her character.
Joining CM Punk at WrestlePalooza could resolve her crisis and mark the return of the beloved Hugger Bayley.
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1. Rhea Ripley
CM Punk clearly thinks highly of Rhea Ripley.
On WWE’s behind-the-scenes Netflix series Unreal, he referred to her as “the most over person on the roster.”
Undoubtedly two of the biggest stars in the company – and both known for their outspoken, rebellious personas – their vibes undoubtedly mesh.
Behind the return of AJ Lee, a Punk and Ripley dream tag team is the alternative most likely to appeal to the WWE fanbase.
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