Author, actor, {and professional} wrestler AJ Mendez is understood to hundreds of thousands as AJ 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, nonetheless, 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, finally signing with professional wrestling rival AEW, and AJ Mendez became a best selling author, actor, and commentator on WOW ladies’s wrestling reveals, followers by no means gave up hope that the anti-diva would someday return to WWE. With Punk nonetheless signed to All Elite Wrestling in June of 2023 nonetheless, Mendez posted images of herself trying 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 appears like socializing and offers 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 capturing WOW Superheroes and caught with it for a yr.” The actor and professional wrestler defined that she’d earned a health certification and had not too long ago ramped up her personal program. Mendez then credited excessive depth interval coaching (HIIT) as considered one of her go-to types of train. After all, HIIT is a wonderful approach 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 also enhances the muscle’s ability to consume 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 enhance muscle power and endurance. Studies also show that creatine may have a positive impact on female hormone balance.
To be able to construct muscle mass, Mendez targeted on the tried-and-tested methodology of progressive overload and made certain to gasoline her extra highly effective body with the fitting 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 mass 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 for AJ Lee following her husband’s wrestling boots and returning to WWE grew to become an inevitability somewhat than a risk. And, it could have taken till September of 2025, however Mendez has confirmed that her need to focus on a sustainable health plan was a wise strategy.
Returning to the largest promotion in professional wrestling, Mendez seemed one million {dollars} as she obliterated Beck Lynch on SmackDown, revealing her chiseled abs and a extra muscular, leaner physique. “I’m not a physician, 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 imagine crash diets, zero carb diets, and pushing by way of 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 USA and can be obtainable by way of Netflix internationally.
