The wrestling world is still buzzing from AJ Lee’s electrifying return to WWE on the September 5, 2025, episode of SmackDown in Chicago, where she ambushed Becky Lynch in a fiery main event segment. However, it was Seth Rollins’ subtle backstage tease after the show that has fans and analysts speculating about the next twist in this explosive feud. As reported by Sportskeeda, Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, was caught on camera breaking character, flashing a sly smile as he watched AJ celebrate with CM Punk. This moment, captured in an Instagram post by WWE, has fueled anticipation for a blockbuster mixed tag team match at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, pitting Punk and Lee against Rollins and Lynch.
The SmackDown main event saw Rollins introduce Lynch from the crowd, only for her to be drowned out by “AJ Lee” chants. Lynch’s taunts and a slap to Punk’s face prompted his cryptic warning: “I’d never hit a lady, but I know someone who will.” AJ’s entrance music hit, and she stormed the ring, tackling Lynch with a flurry of strikes, leaving her reeling. The show ended with Punk and AJ embracing, while Rollins, in the skybox, appeared rattled—yet his backstage demeanor told a different story. As Cageside Seats noted, Rollins’ smirk suggested he was relishing the chaos, possibly hinting at a calculated plan by The Vision faction.
Rollins’ tease didn’t stop there. In a post-show interview on WWE’s YouTube channel, he remarked, “AJ thinks she’s got the upper hand, but she’s playing my game now.” This cryptic comment, coupled with his visible amusement, has sparked theories that The Vision—comprising Rollins, Lynch, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker—may be setting a trap for Punk and Lee. Fans on X exploded with reactions, one posting, “Rollins is scheming something big! AJ better watch out!” The moment harks back to the ongoing feud ignited at Clash in Paris, where Lynch’s interference cost Punk the title, as detailed by Hindustan Times.
AJ’s return after 3,800 days, her first WWE appearance since March 2015, was a seismic event. Her attack on Lynch, described by Bleacher Report as a “vicious statement,” set the stage for Wrestlepalooza’s high-stakes showdown. Rollins’ backstage antics, however, suggest he’s unfazed by AJ’s intensity. WrestlingHeadlines.com reported that WWE creative has long planned this feud, with Rollins’ personal jab at Punk—“I hate your family!”—on Raw serving as a deliberate trigger for Lee’s comeback. Triple H’s social media post, “Chicago magic delivered,” confirmed the return was meticulously crafted.
As Wrestlepalooza looms, Rollins’ teasing has raised the stakes. Is his confidence a bluff, or does The Vision have an ace up its sleeve? With AJ and Punk united, their chemistry is undeniable, but Rollins’ mind games hint at a deeper strategy. The WWE Universe is on edge, eagerly awaiting whether AJ’s return will overpower The Vision or if Rollins’ cunning will turn the tables in this intensely personal rivalry.
