AJ Lee details WWE backstage dynamic with CM Punk
Being able to work with her husband is a “very comforting” experience for AJ Lee.
After a decade away, Lee came out of retirement last year and is now set to compete in her first WrestleMania since 2015. She and her husband CM Punk are both entering the show as champions, with Lee holding the Women’s Intercontinental title and Punk being World Heavyweight Champion.
Lee spoke with US Weekly ahead of Mania and detailed what it’s been like to be on the road with Punk.
“It’s interesting because we weren’t married the last time,” Lee said. “It’s just bizarre. I was wrestling for maybe a year during the marriage. So this is the first time on the road as a married couple. It is so nice to be able to bring home with you. It’s all very calm. I can always find him at catering or see him in the halls. That’s very, very comforting to me.
“A wonderful thing is to be able to admire your spouse. I get to admire how well he’s doing and how respected he is and how much fun he’s having. That’s a blast.”
Lee has been feuding with Becky Lynch since returning last year. Their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match will take place on night one of WrestleMania on Saturday, April 18. Punk vs. Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship will then headline night two.
When Lee returned to WWE in September 2025, her first match back was a mixed tag bout with Punk. Teaming together with his wife is something Punk hopes to do more of in the future.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.