AJ Lee Signs New WWE Contract

The latest worst-kept secret in pro wrestling angle played out on Friday Night SmackDown from Chicago's Allstate Arena as AJ Lee made her hotly anticipated return to WWE.

In the closing moments of the show after Becky Lynch repeatedly slapped CM Punk, the former WWE Champion exited the ring and said he would never put his hands on a lady, but he knew someone who would.

This brought out AJ Lee, who skipped to the ring to a huge reaction from the fans in attendance. Lee then took out Lynch with a Thesz press and a slap to send the Women's Intercontinental Champion out of the ring. SmackDown then went off the air with CM Punk and AJ Lee hugging.

Following her return, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque revealed AJ Lee has signed a new contract with the company, although the terms of the deal are currently unknown. New AJ Lee merchandise has also been released.

AJ Lee had been gone from WWE for 10 years since her in-ring retirement in 2015. The expectation is she will team with husband CM Punk against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch at WWE Wrestlepalooza on September 20.