On the September 5, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown—broadcast from Chicago—Backstage tensions boiled over when Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch ran into SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who bluntly cautioned her about causing any disruptions, especially considering CM Punk was in the building.
Arriving amid a chaotic show marked by John Cena’s heartfelt farewell and major in-ring returns, Lynch made her presence felt backstage, prompting Aldis to usher a quick confrontation. He expressed his surprise, saying, “I wasn’t expecting you here tonight,” and warned that “he’s got a lot going on,” referring to CM Punk, before stating firmly, “he doesn’t want any issues.” Lynch responded nonchalantly, insisting, “I never cause any issues,” and walked off smugly.
This backstage moment wasn’t just filler—it served as a narrative seed planted to build tension ahead of the explosive on-screen segment to follow. The stage was already set: namely, Lynch’s shocking attack on Punk in the ring, his refusal to physically retaliate, and the fans’ chants for AJ Lee—Punk’s wife and a former WWE standout—not to mention the imminent tease of her return.
Indeed, the tease exploded when Punk delivered a heated promo in-ring, suggesting that while he himself “would never put his hands on a woman,” he did have someone else who would—cue the triumphant return of AJ Lee. Her appearance in Punk’s hometown of Chicago took everyone—and especially Becky—by surprise. Lee attacked Lynch mercilessly before embracing her husband in a defining moment that confirmed the brewing power couple tag team dynamic and set up a likely marquee matchup at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza premium live event.
In just a few minutes of backstage and in-ring confrontation, WWE crafted a riveting storyline: Lynch meddles, Aldis warns, Punk sets the stage, and AJ Lee crashes back into the fold. This layered storytelling underscores how one simple backstage exchange can catalyze a much larger narrative arc—culminating in one of wrestling’s most anticipated reunions in recent memory.
