Is it possible for someone to be back for both a good time AND a long time? AJ Lee can answer that question.
AJ Lee is back, and not only for a quick “hey” but what is a promising multi-year run. She made her return to WWE officially last Friday in SmackDown, but on Sept. 8, she returned to Raw. And she didn’t come empty handed (something was around her waist).
The show starts off with the Women’s IC Champion Becky Lynch arriving with her husband. World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. But what was missing? Ah…the Women’s IC belt from Lynch’s shoulder.
Before Lee comes out for her in-ring promo, a vignette aired hyping her up. Also the note that Lee’s return on Friday garnered over 178 million views across all WWE social media platforms. It is the most viewed SmackDown highlight of the year.
Lee’s music hit for her in-ring promo, and we have found what Lynch is missing and what Lee came with – the Women’s IC belt. Lee thanked the crowd and she reintroduced herself to those who may not have been around to watch her 10 plus years ago. She stated that she is in fact, your favorite wrestler’s, favorite wrestler. She dived into what she did during her hiatus and she truly thought she was done when she retired a decade again. AJ also went into her mental health struggles and had the crowd chanting “therapy,” it works you guys!
AJ went on to say how it was one thing to watch guys such as Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, and John Cena go after her husband. But it became entirely different when Becky started motor boating and putting her hands on him.
Lynch came out as expected. She once again reminded everyone that she is the greatest women’s wrestler of all time, because even Sports Illustrated says so (she tells us this weekly now, and it still gets a chuckle). Her main concern was to get her title belt back from AJ (and maybe getting some therapy), who says she forgot she even had it on. She even spent time with it over the weekend…skipping around her house with it, going to bed with it, and even got a bit weird when she was getting dressed.
AJ urged for Becky to come and get the belt back from her. She laid it on the ring mat and told her to come and take it. But, Becky wanted no part of Ms. Lee…nope. She would usher out her husband, Seth Rollins to assist. Lee says she will give Becky two options. One, to come and take it, or two, she’ll give it back if they agree to a mixed tag team match.
Rollins entered the ring to try and get the belt back for his beloved, but AJ stopped him at every try. That is, until CM Punk emerged and took care of Rollins, causing him to flee back to the ramp and to Becky’s side. He then agreed to the match at Wrestlepalooza. AJ gave back the belt to Becky after giving it a smooch.
Elsewhere on Raw, Asuka just will not accept IYO SKY having any other friends. NO!
Nikki Bella was chatting with IYO SKY after SKY had learned her contract signing with Stephanie Vaquer was canceled. Adam Pearce informed her that the match was still set for Wrestlepalooza, but Vaquer couldn’t make it to Raw due to travel issues. Nikki was glad to hear that the match was still on for IYO. Asuka and Kairi Sane approached the situation with Asuka wanting Nikki to go away. Instead, a match was booked between the two for later in the night.
The match got good crowd reaction throughout with a half/half rooting for Nikki and Asuka pretty equally. Commentary mentioned Nikki was trying to right the wrongs of Clash in Paris. The match was solid, and it was another first time singles bout which was fresh. Although Nikki and Asuka hadn’t had a traditional one-on-one until how, they were the final two in the very first women’s Royal Rumble match in 2018. Asuka went on to win that honor.
The match came down to a lot of countering as both women tried to execute their finishers. Asuka would connect with the Empress Impact followed by the Asuka Lock…causing the Hall of Famer to tap out.
Shortly after, Nikki and Asuka get into it backstage with Rhea Ripley coming in to side with Nikki. Kairi continues to be confused on how to act as Asuka yells for her.
Earlier in the night, Lyra Valkyria took on Raquel Rodriguez. Concerned for Bayley’s mental and emotional state, Valkyria had to put that aside and get back in the ring. In probably one of Raquel’s best matches since NXT, the two put on a clinic. The crowd was super into it also as both women executed some smooth moves and killer stength. These included Valkyria’s strength in the corner getting Rodriguez in a power bomb after the strength of Rodriguez holding on. Finally though, in an error of judgement (no pub intended), Valkyria was up on the top rope and found herself swiftly in a Tejana bomb for the count of three. Rodriguez picks up the win.
For the Bayley vignette, you can click the post below.
Raw – Sept. 15
- AJ Lee & CM Punk/Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins – Face to Face
- Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez
- Final build for Wrestlepalooza
