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Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
AJ Lee Rumble Return Reportedly Not Considered Likely
AJ Lee has not wrestled a match since retiring from WWE in early 2015, and it doesn’t sound as though a return is in the cards as of now.
According to Fightful Select (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), there is “no indication” that any serious talks have been had about AJ returning to compete in the 2025 women’s Royal Rumble match.
Fightful added that while several talents have made jokes about trying to get AJ out of retirement over the years, it has never progressed beyond that.
An anonymous WWE higher-up who spoke with Fightful left the door open for an AJ return, though, noting that the company would make it happen if she were to show interest: “She always looks like she’d fit right back in on TV, and I’m sure she knows that if she wanted to be in the Royal Rumble tomorrow, it could happen.”
AJ was on WWE’s main roster from 2011 to 2015, and during that time she became the most popular women’s wrestler in the company.
She went on to hold the Divas Championship three times, had storylines with top stars such as Daniel Bryan, CM Punk and John Cena, and even had a run as general manager.
In terms of past women’s stars who have not yet returned for a surprise Rumble appearance, AJ may be at the top of the list in terms of who the fans want to see most.
Punk, who is AJ’s husband, could be poised for a big night Saturday if he wins his first Royal Rumble as many expect.
During an appearance Friday on the Pat McAfee Show (h/t Carrier), Punk shot down the idea of AJ joining him in Indianapolis, saying: “There are no clues. There are no clues. She’s at home watching [their dog] Larry.”
AJ’s return would perhaps make it an even more special day for Punk, but if there are any plans for it to happen, they have been kept close to the vest by WWE, and Punk certainly wouldn’t want to spoil them.
Nikki Bella Reportedly Viewed as Potential Rumble Surprise
While AJ competing in the Rumble may not be in the cards, Nikki Bella reportedly could be a different story.
According to Fightful Select (h/t Carrier), WWE talent have been openly discussing Bella as a possible entrant for the 2025 women’s Royal Rumble match.
That revelation comes in the wake of WrestleVotes reporting last week that WWE and Bella have had “significant discussions” about her in-ring return, leading some in the company to have a “strong expectation” it would happen.
The 41-year-old Bella was shown in the front row during the debut episode of Raw on Netflix, which raised some eyebrows since she and her twin sister, Brie Bella, announced about one year ago that they decided against signing new Legends deals with WWE.
Neither Nikki nor Brie had any involvement with WWE for the next several months, but Nikki showing up on Raw was perhaps an indicator that something changed on her end.
Nikki is among the most decorated women’s wrestlers in WWE history, as she was a two-time Divas champion and the longest-reigning Divas champion of all time. She was also the runner-up in the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble match in 2018, losing to Asuka.
She also competed in the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble match, which was the last time she competed in a wrestling ring.
Given that it has now been three years since her last match, Nikki figures to receive a major pop if she is indeed part of this year’s women’s Rumble.
Big E Reportedly Not Believed to Be Cleared for Rumble
Big E has been out of action since suffering a broken neck in March 2022, and it reportedly doesn’t look as though an in-ring return at the Royal Rumble is on the horizon.
According to Fightful Select (h/t Carrier), there is “no indication” that Big E has been medically cleared by doctors to wrestle, making an entry into the 2025 men’s Royal Rumble match unlikely.
The 38-year-old veteran is part of one of the most successful tag teams of all time, as he was a six-time tag team champion as a member of New Day.
He later went on to win the Intercontinental Championship and the Money in the Bank ladder match. He cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to beat Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship as well.
Big E’s career came screeching to a halt during a tag team match on SmackDown in March 2022. Ridge Holland attempted to hit Big E with a normally routine overhead belly-to-belly suplex outside the ring, but something went wrong, and Big E never got fully rotated.
He landed awkwardly on his head and neck, resulting in vertebral fractures that have kept him out of action ever since.
While Big E did not require surgery, he still hasn’t been cleared, and he has been open about the fact that he may never receive clearance.
About two months ago, WWE ran an angle that saw Big E’s longtime New Day teammates and friends Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turn on him.
That created some hope that WWE was perhaps setting up a future angle, and while that doesn’t yet appear to be the case, it is always possible that WWE is keeping Big E’s medical status a secret.
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