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By Andrew Ravens
Contributing Sports Writer
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WWE fans feel like they know AJ Lee intimately due to the openness she has shown about her personal struggles. Her acclaimed memoir, Crazy Is My Superpower, detailed the former Divas Champion's whole story with complete honesty. This established trust has led many fans to unload their own stories onto the star.
AJ Lee recently addressed the spontaneous “therapy” chants she received during her September return on “WWE Raw”. The return marked her first time stepping into a WWE ring in over ten years. She spoke to the audience on the September 8 episode of “WWE Raw,” revealing that she had been to therapy.
While speaking on What’s Your Story with Stephanie McMahon, AJ Lee said that she absolutely did not expect the unique reaction. The moment genuinely “stunned” her on the stage.
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She recalled the surprising nature of the moment from the crowd. “That was a genuine reaction of like being stunned. I heard one person start to chant it, and then a few people around him started chanting ‘therapy’.”
Lee admitted she realized she had to acknowledge the growing chant. “I heard it, and I was like I have to respond to this.” Her reaction changed when the chant began to spread throughout the arena.
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“Three guys were chanting therapy, and then everyone started to do it, and my mind exploded,” she stated. The immediate and positive interaction with the WWE fans led to a unique wave of personal connections.
AJ Lee spoke about the many private stories she has heard from fans since the segment aired on television. She is comfortable giving those fans that emotional holding space when they approach her. The star believes that wrestling audiences are often more open-minded and empathetic than some might assume.
She argued that wrestling fans are highly empathetic and emotionally mature. “I think if you have a judgmental idea of what you think wrestling crowds could be, you don’t think that they’re in touch with their emotions or open-minded and empathetic like that,” Lee stated.
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The emotional moment felt like the seamless merging of her public and private worlds. “It was just like my worlds came together, and now I did a signing, and people had ‘Therapy is cool’ merch, they made themselves,” she revealed. This public segment has had a significant real-world impact on some audience members.
“And, I’ve had so many people from that moment say they decided to get therapy themselves because of that segment.” Lee was genuinely touched by the unexpected result of the brief moment on television.
“It’s like what did we do, you guys? This is the coolest thing in the world to combine these two things that mean everything to me.” The star credited the passion of the audience for inspiring her to come back to the promotion. “But I hope those fans know that they are the reason I came back,” she concluded.
AJ Lee is scheduled to compete at “Survivor Series: WarGames” on November 29 in a huge women’s match. This year’s Women’s WarGames match will feature a clash between two stacked teams. The heel side includes Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). They will face the babyface team of Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and AJ Lee, with the winner of the contest still undecided.
More WWE News:
- Former WWE Champion is Preparing for In-Ring Return
- Ringside Tickets for WWE PLE Reach Shocking Price
- AJ Lee Calls Out WWE Fan for Bizarre AI Video
For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
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