AJ Lee vs. CM Punk’s Pipebomb Promo: Who Did It Better?

On September 5, 2025, AJ Lee shocked the WWE Universe, making her much-anticipated return. Since then, many of her old clips have resurfaced on WWE’s YouTube Channel, including the infamous Pipe Bombshell promo. The promo was scathing and insulting and made waves across the Divas Division for showing them the bitter truth.

The promo took place on August 26, 2013, during a segment of WWE RAW, where Lee, the then-Divas Champion, called out the entire Divas roster for being nothing but a bunch of “cheap,” “expendable,” and “useless women.” The reason? They were not “gifted” or “talented” enough to become “real actresses.” Check out the promo below:

The 3-Time Divas Champion continued about how she had single-handedly done more than their “entire collective careers,” yet none of them showed any gratitude to her. She started taking personal shots at The Bella Twins, Natalya, and other members of the locker room, stating that they were jealous of her because of how she made it to the top on her own.

What put the final nail in the coffin was how Lee stated that their red carpet shows and ridiculous outfits would never match her in-ring talent, overshadowing the reality drama series Total Divas. Her promo was similar to CM Punk’s infamous Pipebomb promo, bashing the management for handing opportunities to big names like The Rock and John Cena.

Our Verdict on the Better Pipebomb Promo

CM Punk and AJ Lee, the real-life couple, both have dropped their unique versions of the pipebomb promo. This has left us questioning who did it better, because these promos changed the trajectory of their pro-wrestling careers. In the case of ‘The Best in the World,’ following his shots at Vince McMahon and his family members, he was put into main event segments.

This also kick-started the Summer of Punk in 2011, in which he began his 434-day record-setting reign as champion and became one of the hottest attractions in the company. The fans would look up to him as he became ‘The Voice of the Voiceless,’ always resonating the emotions of the fans and what they felt about certain wrestlers in the company.

While Punk’s promo helped him become a bigger WWE Superstar, AJ Lee’s promo did a greater good, not just for her career, but also for the Divas Division. Following the promo, fans started to feel differently about women’s wrestling, as Mr. McMahon used them to attract male fans.

This unscripted moment of brilliance impressed the fans, as they believed that women’s wrestling can be interesting, and if things are done right, they can rival the men, too! This attracted more viewers, who were eager to see the women take charge and mark one of the first revolutions in women’s wrestling. Hence, it will be appropriate to say that Lee’s Pipe Bombshell promo was better than CM Punk’s.

AJ Lee’s Pipe Bombshell Promo Led to a Rippling Effect on the Divas Division

The Pipe Bombshell promo had far-reaching effects on the Divas Division. Aside from getting the attention of the fans, it proved how women can attract viewership without raunchy scenes, as ‘The Crazy Chick’ broke the mold of a traditional diva look. Her heated rivalry with The Bella Twins (Nikki Bella and Brie Bella), Paige, Natalya, and many more proved how she could be a fan favorite.

Additionally, her in-ring prowess made the Divas Championship relevant and a title that made its holder a relevant figure. This was a drastic change because previously, the belt was mocked for its butterfly design that held no meaning. However, with her growing fame among the fans and her must-watch matches, the fans started treating the championship with more respect.

Moreover, her involvement with top-tier male rosters like Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, John Cena, and more, solidified her reputation and even helped her to be the first female wrestler in ages to have their own merchandise in the WWE shop. Clearly, Lee’s notorious promo did a wonderful job, which did wonders for women’s wrestling.

With so many variations of the pipebomb promo in WWE, which one is your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below!