Author, actor, {and professional} wrestler AJ Mendez is understood to tens of millions as I Lee however had been away from the WWE highlight for a decade earlier than making a defiant return to SmackDown on September 5, 2025. Regardless of the joy of her impromptu conflict with Becky Lynch, nevertheless, Lee’s physique, full with bulging biceps and gorgeous abs was lengthy within the making.
Each Mendez and her husband, CM Punk departed WWE greater than a decade in the past after frustrations with the corporate reached boiling level, and whereas Punk later tried his hand at an ill-fated UFC run, ultimately signing with professional wrestling rival AEW, and AJ Mendez turned a greatest promoting creatoractor, and commentator on WOW girls’s wrestling reveals, followers by no means gave up hope that the anti-diva would sooner or later return to WWE. With Punk nonetheless signed to All Elite Wrestling in June of 2023 nevertheless, Mendez posted pictures of herself wanting match and powerful on social media, resulting in hypothesis about her subsequent transfer, and the way she’d managed to up her health sport.
AJ Lee Defined Her Health Targets Again in 2023
“I by no means write a lot (on Instagram) cuz it seems like socializing and provides me introvert sweats,” wrote Mendez again in June 2023. “However I wished to reply your questions. I began upping my health sport final spring whereas taking pictures WOW Superheroes and caught with it for a yr.” The actor and professional wrestler defined that she’d earned a health certification and had lately ramped up her personal program. Mendez then credited excessive depth interval coaching (HIIT) as one in every of her go-to types of train. In fact, HIIT is a wonderful technique to get each robust and shredded as a result of it requires a comparatively kind time dedication. If Mendez had been contemplating a return to the ring (maybe with AEW or WOW) in 2023, HIIT was a sensible transfer, as a result of it additionally enhances the muscle’s capacity to eat oxygen.
As for supplementation, the wonder revealed that she’d elevated her protein consumption and had additionally began taking creatine. In each women and men, creatine can improve muscle energy and endurance. Research additionally present that creatine could have a constructive influence on feminine hormone stability.
With a view to construct muscle mass, Mendez centered on the tried-and-tested technique of progressive overload and made certain to gasoline her extra highly effective body with the best macros. “I listened to my physique and gave it carbs when it wished,” she shared. Restoration was additionally prioritized, and Mendez defined that she “took many off days to maintain my muscle tissues secure, as a result of the important thing to consistency for me is discovering a routine that feels sustainable long run.”
Whereas AJ Lee didn’t return to the ring in 2023, and CM Punk left AEW after a backstage bust-up that very summer season, the sport modified once more when Punk made a profitable return to WWE later within the yr. For Mendez’s legions of followers, the potential of AJ Lee following her husband’s wrestling boots and returning to WWE turned an inevitability quite than a chance. And, it might have taken till September of 2025, however Mendez has confirmed that her want to focus on a sustainable health plan was a wise strategy.
Returning to the most important promotion in professional wrestling, Mendez regarded one million {dollars} as she obliterated Beck Lynch on SmackDown, revealing her chiseled abs and a extra muscular, leaner physique. “I’m not a health care provider, that is simply my private expertise, so seek the advice of a professional,” inspired the thrilling grappler in that inspirational put up again in 2023. “However I consider crash diets, zero carb diets, and pushing by ache are bulls**t,” she exclaimed. “Be good to your self, be affected person, and also you’ll keep it up longer,” added Mendez. “We must always by no means work out to earn meals or punish ourselves, solely to enhance our bodily and psychological well being, really feel stronger, and to scare strangers on the road.”
AJ Lee’s first official match again with WWE takes place at Wrestlepalooza 2025 on Saturday, September 20, the place she’ll tag-team together with her husband CM Punk to face Becky Lynch and her husband, Seth Rollins. The occasion will mark the primary WWE premium reside occasion on the ESPN Limitless streaming plan in the US and will probably be accessible through Netflix internationally.
