Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
According to sources, AJ Lee informed WWE of her retirement after WrestleMania 31. AJ’s retirement was in large part influenced by Chris Amann’s lawsuit against CM Punk and she told WWE officials after the pay-per-view event, where she got the submission win in the Divas tag team match against Nikki Bella.
The submission was to set up a title feud between AJ and Nikki Bella, but when she informed WWE of her retirement, WWE decided to go with Naomi in her place. In addition, AJ calling the move a “retirement” was to get out of her WWE contract, a tactic that has been popular in the UFC for years. By doing so, she will be unable to work anywhere wrestling-related, at least until her WWE contract runs out.
