AJ Lee has officially announced her return to WWE programming, with her next on‑screen appearance slated for the upcoming season of the Netflix‑produced docuseries WWE: Unreal.

The news surfaced during an interview on the State Of Mind with Maurice Benard podcast, where Lee confirmed she will appear on the show while continuing to pursue a slate of outside projects.

Lee’s comeback follows a lengthy pause from in‑ring competition. She debuted on the independent circuit in 2007, signed with WWE in 2009, and spent two years in Florida Championship Wrestling before moving to the main roster. After a successful run that included three reigns as Divas Champion and a stint as Raw General Manager, she retired from wrestling in April 2015. She returned to WWE in September 2025, captured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship once, and signed a multi‑year contract that keeps her on the roster as of June 11 2026.

The WWE: Unreal series, a Netflix‑produced docuseries that follows women’s wrestling talent across the company, will feature Lee in its next season, which is slated to begin filming in late 2026. According to the interview, she will balance her on‑screen duties with a number of outside projects, including her writing career and film work.

Lee’s career outside the ring has been notable. She published the New York Times bestseller memoir Crazy Is My Superpower in 2017, and has collaborated on comic books and the 2022 Netflix film Blade of the 47 Ronin. The wrestler has used her platform to explore storytelling beyond the squared circle.

While Lee’s return to WWE programming has been confirmed, her in‑ring future remains uncertain. She has not been scheduled for any upcoming matches, and no official statement has been released regarding a potential return to active competition. The WWE roster list, updated on June 11 2026, shows Lee as a signed talent, but her role is described as “special appearance” for the Unreal series.

The announcement comes at a time when WWE is expanding its content on streaming platforms. Raw has been airing live on Netflix since 2025, and SmackDown continues to broadcast on USA Network. WWE’s focus on women’s wrestling has grown, with the Women’s Championship and Women’s Intercontinental Championship being defended on Raw, and the Women’s Tag Team Championship shared between Raw and SmackDown.

Lee’s return is seen as a nod to the legacy of women’s wrestling in WWE. She was a key figure in the 2010s, helping to elevate the Divas division into a more athletic and competitive showcase. Her presence on the Unreal series will provide a historical perspective for new fans and a bridge between past and present WWE women’s talent.

The next season of WWE: Unreal is expected to premiere in early 2027. Until then, Lee’s next WWE appearance will be on the series, with no confirmed dates for a live match. Fans can look forward to seeing her in a documentary format, where she will discuss her career, her return to WWE, and her ongoing projects outside the ring.

In summary, AJ Lee has confirmed a return to WWE programming through her upcoming role on the WWE: Unreal series. While her in‑ring future is still undecided, her involvement with the series and her continued work on external projects signal a new chapter in her WWE journey.