AJ Lee made her long-awaited return to WWE Raw this past Monday night in Cleveland — and let’s just say, Becky Lynch was not happy to see her. What was supposed to be a night for The Man to speak out about Royal Rumble controversy quickly turned into a heated face-off between two of WWE’s most iconic women.
AJ Lee Returns — and Instantly Pushes Becky Lynch to the Edge
Becky Lynch walked down the ramp with fire in her eyes, ready to speak her truth about what she called corruption in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. But before she could even get started, the crowd at Rocket Arena erupted as AJ Lee made her surprise return to WWE programming.
Lynch wasn’t impressed.
She accused AJ of trying to sabotage her career. AJ claimed she was only in Cleveland to support Maxxine Dupri in her match against Nattie. But in typical AJ fashion, she “remembered” a few key details — like beating Lynch at Wrestlepalooza, Survivor Series: WarGames, and even costing her the title against Dupri just weeks ago.
It was clear: this wasn’t a friendly visit.
Challenge Thrown: AJ Lee vs Becky Lynch at Elimination Chamber
Not in the mood for AJ’s mind games, Becky asked her directly: Did you come back for a fight?
Lynch offered her a one-on-one match at Elimination Chamber 2026, which just so happens to be in AJ’s hometown of Chicago. AJ was interested — but had one condition: Make it for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
At first, Becky refused. But the crowd pushed her, chanting and cheering, and eventually, Lynch gave in.
Though Raw General Manager Adam Pearce hasn’t signed off yet, it’s all but official:
Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee for the Women’s Intercontinental Title at Elimination Chamber.
Why This Match Matters
This isn’t just any return match. AJ Lee hasn’t wrestled a singles bout since March 2015, when she lost to Nikki Bella. She hasn’t held a singles championship since her third WWE Divas Title reign ended in November 2014.
That’s over a decade without singles gold — and now she has the chance to break that drought in front of her hometown crowd, against one of WWE’s most dominant modern champions.
For Becky, this isn’t just about defending a title — it’s about defending her legacy. And for AJ, it’s about proving she never lost a step.
Updated WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Match Card
As we inch closer to one of WWE’s most unpredictable nights, here’s the current lineup:
| Match | Details |
|---|---|
| CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Balor | World Heavyweight Championship |
| Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee | Women’s Intercontinental Championship |
| 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber | Randy Orton vs. TBD (5 more competitors TBA) |
| 2026 Women’s Elimination Chamber | Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley vs. TBD (4 more competitors TBA) |
What Could Happen in Chicago?
- If AJ Lee wins, she captures her first singles title in over 11 years and possibly kickstarts a major second chapter in her WWE career.
- If Becky Lynch retains, she proves AJ’s time has passed and continues her reign as the dominant face of the women’s division.
- If emotions run too high, this match could steal the show at Elimination Chamber — and set the tone for WrestleMania season.
The stage is set. The history is there. And the city of Chicago might witness something truly special.
