AJ Lee Calls for Return of Paige and Kaitlyn to WWE
- AJ Lee, the reigning Women's Intercontinental Champion, has publicly expressed her desire for WWE to bring back two of her most prominent rivals from her original tenure with...
- In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Lee advocated for the return of both former Divas Champions, suggesting that the current environment within the WWE women's division would be...
- Lee and the two women in question were central figures in the women's division between 2012 and 2014.
AJ Lee, the reigning Women’s Intercontinental Champion, has publicly expressed her desire for WWE to bring back two of her most prominent rivals from her original tenure with the company: Paige and Kaitlyn.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Lee advocated for the return of both former Divas Champions, suggesting that the current environment within the WWE women’s division would be an ideal fit for them.
A Call for Former Rivals
Lee and the two women in question were central figures in the women’s division between 2012 and 2014. During this period, they participated in several televised singles matches that defined the era’s storylines.
Lee specifically highlighted her bond with Paige, also known as Saraya, noting that she had acted as a mentor to her during their early time together in the company.
I love Paige… If I could bring somebody back, her and Kaitlyn. Let’s get them back.
AJ Lee via Sports Illustrated
Lee described her early relationship with Paige as one where they joked that Lee was her fairy godmother
, stating that she took Paige under her wing to protect her.
The Evolution of the Women’s Division
The current champion believes that the culture of the WWE locker room has evolved significantly since her original departure. She praised the supportive nature of the current athletes and the progress the division has made.
Lee suggested that a return for Paige would be heartwarming and healing
, asserting that Paige’s talent would make her a great addition to the current roster.
Regarding Kaitlyn, also known as Celeste Bonin, Lee noted her history with the wrestler, as the two were involved in one of the most emotionally driven programs of the 2012 to 2014 era while feuding for the Divas Championship.
Current Status of the Competitors
The prospects for a return vary for the three women. AJ Lee recently returned to professional wrestling in September 2025 and won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch at Elimination Chamber 2026.
Paige’s path has been more complex. After being forced into retirement due to a neck injury three years after Lee’s original departure, she returned to the ring in 2022 with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) competing as Saraya.
While competing in AEW, Saraya captured the AEW Women’s World Championship and mentored other wrestlers, such as Harley Cameron. She reached an amicable separation agreement with AEW President Tony Khan in early 2025.
Saraya spent the remainder of 2025 away from the sport to focus on outside projects but has since resumed training.
Kaitlyn originally left the business in 2014 to pursue other ventures. Although she later competed on the independent circuit and made a brief return to WWE, she eventually retired.
Road to WrestleMania 42
These comments come as AJ Lee prepares for a high-profile match at WrestleMania 42. She is scheduled to defend her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Becky Lynch on Saturday, April 18, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
This upcoming bout will be Lee’s fifth match since her return in September and her sixth overall since her original departure following WrestleMania 31.
The event will also see the return of The Bella Twins, Nikki and Brie, who are set to compete in a Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. This leaves Paige as the only member of the WrestleMania 31 tag team match—which featured Lee and Paige defeating the Bellas—who is not currently scheduled for the festivities in Las Vegas.