AJ Lee Accused of No Longer Being a Big Draw in WWE Long-Term

AJ Lee’s in-ring comeback at WrestlePalooza fired up nostalgia for longtime WWE fans, with many excited to see her back in action for the first time in nearly a decade. The return was hyped heavily, but whether that excitement can last is another story entirely.

Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer doesn’t think so. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio with Garrett Gonzales, Meltzer said AJ Lee’s appeal peaked the moment she came back — and he doesn’t believe she has the tools to be a major draw going forward.

“AJ Lee’s business was gonna be front‑loaded. It was going to be really big for the first one. I never thought it would sustain.”

Meltzer pointed to the fact that the women’s division has drastically changed since AJ’s prime and questioned whether her older style can keep up.

“She may be a popular woman wrestler based on different things, but it’s going to be tough. She’s older. The entire division has evolved incredibly in 10 years.”

He then dropped the most direct comment on her future star power.

“She could stand out a decade ago… but with how evolved the division is now, it’s tough. Becky helped carry her, but long‑term, I don’t see her being a big draw.”

Even with Becky Lynch doing much of the heavy lifting in the ring, Meltzer said the difference between AJ and today’s top stars was clear.

“Becky Lynch really helped her through that a lot — and I thought almost enough. But there were certain points where it was just kind of like… you know, she’s got Becky Lynch there, but long‑term?”

He warned that this is a common trap for returning stars who think they can pick up where they left off.

“Very often, when you leave something and come back, and go back to doing what you did before — you don’t realize that the business is different.”

To hammer the point home, Meltzer shared a story about his brother returning to wrestling after a long break.

“My brother watched nothing for years… then he came back and was just like, ‘Oh my God, this wrestling is like a thousand times better than when we were kids!’”

Garrett Gonzales agreed, admitting his own disappointment after watching the match.

“I did not like that match personally because I thought her style of wrestling just did not fit in with today’s style of wrestling.”

While Meltzer allowed that AJ might adapt if she fully commits to catching up, his tone suggested skepticism.

“She may just go in there and have this mental attitude of like, ‘I’m catching up and now I realize it,’ and be a giant success — but as far as in the ring goes… yeah, I was worried about that aspect.”

AJ Lee’s return brought the crowd to its feet — but according to Dave Meltzer, it may be her only big pop unless she makes major changes. AJ Lee’s comeback might have kicked off with a pop, but that nostalgia can only carry her so far in today’s cutthroat women’s division. The business has changed — and unless AJ evolves with it, she could quickly fade from the spotlight she once owned.