CM Punk to reveal 6-time WWE champion as his partner on SmackDown instead of AJ Lee? Potential double twist explored

The rivalry between CM Punk and the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, has reached its peak. Now, with Becky Lynch getting involved in the Punk-Rollins saga, attacking The Best in the World twice, and the Second City Saint telling Lynch on RAW that she would regret putting her hands on him, there have been rumblings that Punk's wife, AJ Lee, may return tonight on SmackDown as his partner to take care of Becky.

Fans are highly anticipating the former Divas Champion's comeback on SmackDown from Chicago tonight, as CM Punk is announced for the show and is expected to reveal his wife as his partner against the team of Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, setting up a mixed tag team match at Wrestlepalooza 2025.

However, in a shocking twist, Punk may introduce one-time RAW Women's Champion, two-time Women's World Champion, one-time Women's Tag Team Champion, one-time NXT Women's Champion, and one-time NXT UK Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley, as his partner, and this may craft a bigger launchpad for Lee's return at Wrestlepalooza 2025. Asuka and Ripley are not getting along on the red brand and constantly get into heated arguments.

At the Indianapolis-PLE, Asuka may show her true colors by taking out Mami, leaving her medically unfit to team up with Punk. This may lead to Punk calling AJ Lee on short notice, marking a more massive return.

That said, the angle proposed above is speculative, and nothing has been confirmed.

Another top star may return at WWE SmackDown

Tonight's episode of Friday Night SmackDown could be one of the best editions in recent memory, with the potential for multiple returns and big moments on the horizon.

Other than AJ Lee, former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar could also return on the blue brand for the first time since he attacked John Cena at SummerSlam 2025. The Beast Incarnate could once again attack The Last Real Champion.

This would force General Manager Nick Aldis to book a singles match between Cena and Lesnar for the WWE Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event.

It will be interesting to see what the Triple H-led creative has planned for Punk and Rollins and whether AJ Lee actually returns or someone else will emerge as Punk's partner. Only time will tell.

About the author

Nayan is a WWE News and Features writer at Sportskeeda Wrestling. After completing his bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Poddar International, he began working as a YouTube script writer. Nayan then transitioned to Pinkvilla as a combat sports writer. He gained valuable experience there before finally coming under the banner of Sportskeeda.

Within 1.5 years, Nayan has written over 1,000 articles, interviewed MFN promotion owners, and conducted a Twitter campaign that gained over 50k retweets and more. He puts fact-checking and mindful journalism above everything by applying a three-check method, where he tries to verify reports from reliable sources and cross-check whether other major publications have covered them.

Looking back at his association with pro wrestling, Nayan recalls being hooked on the sport after watching Shawn Michael vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25. Since then, the product has been an inseparable part of his life.

Apart from The Heartbreak Kid being Nayan's favorite wrestler for his confidence and charisma, he is also a fan of Brock Lesnar due to The Beast's "work speaks louder than words" attitude.

Nayan can be found performing mixed martial arts and reading true crime in his free time.

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Edited by Sanchari Bhattacharya