Top 10 Best AJ Lee Moments in WWE

#10: The Long Awaited Return

In 2015, after lighting up the WWE for four years on its main roster, AJ Lee retired from wrestling. Besides a stint as executive producer at Women of Wrestling and working on the TV show “Heels,” she stayed away from the sport. Instead, AJ focused on her writing and acting career. But in 2025, that all changed. With her real-life husband, CM Punk, engaged in a feud with Seth Rollins and his real-life wife, Becky Lynch, AJ arrived to even the score, looking as if she hadn’t been away for 10 years. This led to her first match at the pay-per-view “Wrestlepalooza,” where she got the win for her team by making Lynch tap out.

#9: Making History with Natalya

In 2014, WWE’s Women’s division was in a vastly different landscape from what we have today. Despite that, AJ had a landmark match against Natalya that year. She defended her Divas Championship against the Canadian on “WWE Main Event,” typically seen as a show for lower-card wrestlers. While AJ was successful in keeping the belt, the biggest takeaway from the bout was that it lasted for 14 minutes and 19 seconds. This made it not only one of the longest matches in “WWE Main Event” history, but the lengthiest women’s title bout since 1987, and the longest Diva Championship defence ever!

#8: Consecutive Woman of the Year

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has been publishing its magazine since 1979. One of the company’s biggest events, in addition to publishing their Top 500 Wrestlers rankings, is their yearly awards, such as “Wrestler of the Year” and “Woman of the Year.” Well, for the latter in 2012, 2013, and 2014, AJ was the recipient! As such, she’s the only woman to win this prestigious award three times in a row! The WWE also has its version of an award ceremony, called the Slammy Awards. AJ won “Diva of the Year” in 2012 and 2014, as well as “Kiss of the Year” with John Cena in 2012.

#7: Putting Over Paige

The “Raw” after “WrestleMania” is always incredible as fans await the debut of new stars. In 2014, it was the reigning NXT Women’s Champion, Paige, who interrupted AJ’s celebration of successfully defending her Divas belt the night before. This led to an impromptu match for AJ’s title. While everyone was expecting a hard-fought AJ win, that’s not what happened. Instead, Paige shocked everyone by winning and becoming a double champion! Suddenly, Paige was the biggest wrestler in the division. This match kick-started the “frenemies” feud between Paige and AJ, helping elevate both as they switched between rivals and allies.

#6: Being General Manager

Not long after making her main roster debut, AJ was put into an on-screen relationship with Daniel Bryan. This strange and often toxic pairing had its ups and downs. Regardless, they were set to get married in the ring on “Raw 1000.” While AJ said “yes,” it turned out it wasn’t to nuptials with Bryan. Instead, it was her agreeing to dump him to be the general manager of “Raw.” With her newfound power, AJ was in her heel element, making Bryan, CM Punk, and others miserable. While AJ was forced to resign several months later, she was able to use the experience and the prominent role she’d enjoyed to boost her career.

#5: Meeting Her Husband

As part of her storyline relationship with Daniel Bryan, AJ got the chance to work with her future husband, CM Punk, on-screen in 2012, during Punk’s feud with Bryan. By the following year, AJ and Punk started dating IRL. They were spotted together in public. Punk later spoke about how on the day of his wedding to AJ in 2014, he received his termination letter from WWE after walking out of the company earlier in the year. Yet despite that seemingly petty behavior, the duo didn’t let it ruin their day. The newlyweds then adopted a rescue dog, Larry, who’s become nearly as popular as the wrestling couple with his appearances, even helping Punk in his merchandise sales upon his WWE return in 2023.

#4: First Title

This milestone set AJ on her path to legendary status in wrestling. In 2013, she took part in a battle royal to determine the number one contender for Kaitlyn’s Divas Championship. AJ managed to eliminate Layla last, setting her up to face her former friend for the belt. Shortly after, Kaitlyn was on the receiving end of a secret admirer, who turned out to be Big E! However, showing her devious side, it was all a ruse, as AJ had set it all up to mess with the champ. At “Payback,” AJ placed Kaitlyn in her Black Widow submission, getting the tap, and winning her first title on the main roster!

#3: Diva Title Record Breaker

After losing the Divas Championship to Paige in 2014, nearly three months later, AJ took back her belt to become a two-time champion. However, a few weeks on, Paige reclaimed the title. This culminated in Paige defending the championship against Nikki Bella and AJ in a triple threat bout at “Night of Champions.” With AJ picking up the win, she became, alongside Eve Torres, the only woman to win the Divas Championship three times! After winning the Divas Championship the first time, AJ held it for 295 days—a record for a single reign, which was eventually broken by Nikki, who held it for 300 days. However, adding up all her reigns, AJ held the belt for 405 days.

#2: The Total Divas Feud

In 2013, WWE wanted to get in on the lucrative reality TV market by creating “Total Divas,” which showcased the lives of the women wrestlers away from the ring. However, shortly after its debut, AJ made her feelings on the program known with her “pipebomb.” After the “Total Divas” cast had a match on “Raw,” she arrived with a mic. She mocked the show’s storylines, gaining applause from the crowd. AJ then issued a scathing promo against the wrestlers, calling them “cheap” and “interchangeable,” among many more insults. Blurring the lines between a storyline and reality, this incident made AJ one of the most talked-about performers in the industry, kicking off a feud between her and “Total Divas.”

#1: Sparking the Women's Revolution

Back in the day, men’s stories and matches would dominate WWE shows, while women would pop up only briefly. In 2015, the company hit a new low after a 30-second match featuring Emma and Paige losing to the Bella Twins caused “#GiveDivasAChance” to trend online. That same day, Stephanie McMahon posted a tweet about her support for Patricia Arquette’s Oscar speech about the gender pay gap. AJ commented by calling out the hypocrisy of how women at WWE are given less time and money compared to the men. Stephanie and her father, Vince, posted their thanks to AJ and stated that it would change. A few months later, the Women’s Revolution officially began by retiring the Diva brand and showcasing women more.

Throughout her stellar career, who has been AJ Lee’s best rival? Let us know below!