The Women’s Royal Rumble has typically marked the return of some of WWE’s most legendary Divas, including names like Trish Stratus, Michelle McCool, and Melina, with 2024 being the notable exception. The 2026 Royal Rumble continued this tradition, thrilling fans with Brie Bella’s comeback. However, AJ Lee was noticeably missing from the match. According to the Wrestling Observer Network, Lee was never slated to participate in the Royal Rumble because WWE had already planned for her to challenge Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas this April.
Reports indicate that AJ Lee has been preparing for this WrestleMania match for a while, which explains her absence from the recent Royal Rumble event in Riyadh, as her involvement there “didn’t serve any purpose.” Meanwhile, champion Becky Lynch participated in the Women’s Royal Rumble, facing off against recent challengers Maxine Dupri and Natalya before being eliminated by Lynch herself. This upcoming bout between Lee and Lynch comes at a time when the pool of contenders for the WWE Women’s Singles Title is relatively thin. Many top stars — including Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and The Bella Twins — are currently focused on Ripley and SKY’s WWE Women’s World Tag Team Championship. This scarcity of singles competitors was also noticeable during Lynch’s previous reign as Women’s Intercontinental Champion, leaving uncertainty about whether Lynch will defend the title again before WrestleMania.
As of now, neither Lynch nor Lee have made public moves regarding their WrestleMania showdown. AJ Lee has been off WWE television since assisting Maxine Dupri in recapturing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Lynch in November 2025. WWE has yet to announce any plans involving returning veterans.
Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans because AJ Lee’s WrestleMania return signals a major shakeup in the women’s division, injecting fresh excitement and star power at a time when solid contenders are scarce. The Lee vs. Lynch match has the potential to elevate the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to new heights and spotlight the depth of WWE’s female talent.
