MILWAUKEE- To say AJ Lee is nervous about her husband's fight at UFC 203 would be an understatement.
AJ Lee and CM Punk did a storyline together in 2012 when Punk was in the middle of his reign as WWE champion. Punk was in a program with Daniel Bryan and Lee had just ended her storyline relationship with Bryan and aligned herself with the self-proclaimed, "Best in the World". As often happens in those types of storylines, the two ended up dating outside of the ring Lee and Punk took it one step further and got married in June 2014.
Punk left WWE in January 2014 over not being happy with where his creative direction was going. In a move which was likely done on purpose, Punk was sent his release on the day of the wedding.
Lee tried to stick out in the company, but it was uneasy for her due to the circumstances involving her husband and the company. She decided to retire from the squared circle and her last match took place on the edition of Monday Night Raw, the day after Wrestlemania 31 in 2015.
Punk announced at the end of 2014 he had signed with the UFC. After a couple surgeries delayed his debut, the time is finally here as he fights Mickey Gall on the main card at UFC 203.
Lee, whose real name is April Brooks was tepid when her husband ventured into the UFC. She didn't know what to expect, but those fears have waned. The 37-year-old isn't sure how his wife will watch the fight. But, the Roufusport trained fighter said his wife has been beyond supportive and paid her the ultimate compliment.
"I’m not sure how she’s going to watch," Punk told Fightful. "But, she’s fully on board. I wouldn’t be able to do this without her. People talk about your coaches and teammates preparing you. It’s like head coach (Duke) Roufus, my kind of grandmaster April Brooks. She’s not here putting it on me. She’s at home. She lets me sleep in when I need it, she cooks meals when I’m exhausted. She lets me sit on the couch and ice my back when I need too. She walks Larry Extra when she has too. She’s really stepped up. Selfishly, I say she’s my best teammate."
UFC 203 takes place on Saturday night from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The main event features Stipe Miocic making his first defense of the UFC heavyweight championship against former Strikeforce and K-1 World Grand Prix champion Alistair Overeem.
