5 female stars AEW can sign to bolster their women's division

#1 AJ Lee - AEW

Would you rather see CM Punk show up in WWE or on #AEWDynamite? pic.twitter.com/Mcca6g71mv

— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) July 22, 2021

CM Punk's potential return to wrestling for AEW has captured the imagination of fans around the world. With the former WWE superstar returning after seven years, it opens up a world of possibilities. There are dream matches that many people would love to see, but there is also an opportunity for someone very close to Punk to make her return to the business.

AJ Lee, also known as AJ Mendez, is a legend in the business. Despite a short run with WWE, there might not be a more important women's wrestler than AJ over the past decade. Her time in WWE helped elevate the entire women's division and begged the company to give the ladies more. She was a ratings draw and created a different image for women in the Divas era.

Despite a record-breaking reign as Divas Champion and winning the title on three occasions, AJ Lee left the promotion shortly after her husband CM Punk's departure from WWE. The company infamously sent Punk his release papers on his and AJ's wedding day, which may have burnt the bridge for Lee to return later down the road. Things could change with Punk heading to AEW though.

#OnThisDay : @TheAJMendez Wins her first Divas Championship At Payback 2013 (6/16/13) #AJLee #TeamAJ #AJMendez pic.twitter.com/lagVND8TkO

— Harry Koehler (@koehler_harry) June 16, 2018

AJ Lee went on to succeed as an author for her memoir, "Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules", which made it to #10 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Her in-ring and post-wrestling success would make an arrival in AEW transformative for the women's division in many ways.

Lee's character work was often heralded during her career. Her protrayal of a mentally unstable woman was deeply compelling and set her apart from everyone on the WWE roster. She would be greatly beneficial to the young women in AEW who could learn how to differentiate their character to stand out more. There are also many dream matches to promote with her return to wrestling.

AJ Lee against the likes of Britt Baker, Thunder Rosa and Nyla Rose each have their own appeal and would engage fans of women's wrestling. Younger stars like Jade Cargill and Red Velvet would be honored to get in the ring with a legend such as her as well. For these reasons, AJ Lee would be the best female star AEW can sign to bolster their fledging women's division.