AJ Lee recently discussed a tweet she sent to Stephanie McMahon about equal pay for women in WWE during an episode of the “What’s Your Story?” podcast. The tweet exchange, which took place in 2015 and contributed to Lee’s departure from WWE that same year, highlighted the disparities in pay and screen time between female and male wrestlers. Lee pointed out that despite female wrestlers setting record sales and featuring in top segments, they were compensated far less than most male wrestlers. This candid discussion marked the first public conversation between Lee and McMahon on the issue in a decade.
During the podcast, Lee reflected on her advocacy for women’s wrestling, acknowledging the challenges she faced as she was among the first to vocally demand equality. She admitted the tweet was direct and bold, born from a place of having nothing to lose. Lee emphasized that lasting change requires sacrifice and that playing it safe wouldn’t have brought the progress she fought for. The tweet incident happened shortly before Lee’s initial retirement in 2015, during the tail end of WWE’s Divas era—a time when women’s wrestling was often overshadowed and hypersexualized.
Stephanie McMahon expressed her appreciation for Lee’s outspoken stance, though she noted the tweet was aimed at the wrong person since certain decisions were beyond her direct control. McMahon highlighted that the women’s wrestling revolution in WWE grew because of trailblazing female wrestlers and fans, not just executives. She acknowledged that movements like the “Give Divas a Chance” campaign, which Lee’s activism helped fuel, were crucial in gaining audience support for women’s wrestling.
Today, the WWE women’s division is thriving, with female wrestlers receiving prominent storylines and main event opportunities, such as WrestleMania headliners and historic matches like the women’s Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank. Lee, who returned recently and teamed up with CM Punk in a match, is witnessing a transformative era in women’s wrestling, with emerging stars like Iyo Skye and Roxanne Perez showcasing exceptional talent.
Fan Take: This conversation between AJ Lee and Stephanie McMahon highlights a pivotal moment in WWE history regarding gender equality. It’s a reminder of the struggles behind the scenes that helped usher in the current era of women’s wrestling dominance, inspiring fans and athletes alike that progress often requires courage and sacrifice.
