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WWE’s AJ Lee Opens Up How Nick Khan and Triple H Protected Her Mental Health During Recent Comeback, Husband CM Punk, and What’s Next

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/MBStateofMind

Light it up! On an all-new episode of General Hospital star, Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, he welcomed back to the show, AJ Lee (aka AJ Mendez) for update on her life in and out of the pro wrestling ring.

Before the Sunday, June 14 episode dropped, AJ had previously appeared on State of Mind, back in November of 2021, where she shared with the three-time Daytime Emmy winner her struggles with bipolar disorder, and one terrible situation back in 2014 where she contemplated a suicide attempt.

As WWE fans know, in September of 2025, Lee made a triumphant return to the wrestling ring after she stepped away 10 years ago. AJ is married to former WWE champion CM Punk (aka Phil Brooks), and both were a part of a major storyline against Seth Rollins and his real-life wife, Becky Lynch. This past April, Lynch defeated Lee to win back the women’s Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 42. Following that, Lee stepped away, for now, from the WWE. CM Punk, who lost the WWE World title to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, is expected back on WWE programming in the near future when ‘RAW’ rolls into his hometown of Chicago on July 6.

Photo: WWE

AJ LEE’S RECENT WWE COMEBACK WAS DONE UNDER WATCHFUL EYES

AJ, who has been an open book about her mental health struggles and who has been advocate for those also struggling, shared how the behind the scenes of the pro wrestling business has changed in the last ten years, and how this time, there were built in protections in-place if she were to run into any mental health issues.

“My first run was maybe ten years, then I took ten years off,” explained Lee to Benard. “To be fair, I am very lucky. I never had to have a surgery for wrestling-related injuries. Most people don’t make it out unscathed like that. Knock on wood. I’ve had suggested surgeries, but I haven’t done that for my neck. I’ve like strained stuff and had minor tears, here and there, but a lot of the culture when I was younger was you just keep going because it’s going to keep going without you. So, if you’re injured, you just kind of fake it and say you’re fine and keep going.”

However, fast-forward to 2025 and during AJ’s comeback, she felt taken care of. “It’s very much not like that now, which I was really happy to see. It’s very much about, ‘let’s have a conversation about how you’re feeling and you can get time off, and you can spend more time with your family.’ I will say to their credit, my biggest concern coming back was my mental health. WWE President Nick Khan and WWE Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, were the bosses that kind of brought me (back) in. They were so open about saying, ‘We will protect your mental health and if we don’t, we’re not doing our job. That’s got to be our number one priority.’ It was never like that 10 years ago. I felt like I had to hide this that part of me 10 years ago. So, for my bosses to support me in that way (meant everything).”

Photo: WWE

AJ CALLS HER BIPOLAR DISORDER BY THE NAME “JEAN”

As it turns out, AJ has a very intriguing way to deal with manic episodes when she feels them coming on, as she explained to Maurice, “I made friends with my bipolar disorder and the darker stuff. I named it and I call her ‘Jean,’ and when she’s acting up, I’m like ‘Jean, you’re not being cool.” I think the hardest thing, especially this year has been trying to cope with the big feelings and how to high stay balanced, I had a big fear coming back to the spotlight and wrestling again. Ten years ago, I was at my lowest when it seemed like I was on the top of the world as a champion. So, taking 10 years and really taking care of myself and feeling the healthiest I’ve ever felt, then being like, ‘okay, now go back into wrestling.’ I was really scared about what that (type of) pressure was going to do. I felt so proud of myself for having the tools now. If I wake up anxious, or I am anxious behind the scenes and about to go out through the curtain in wrestling, now I know how to work with it.”

Photo: WWE

AJ HAS HIGH PRAISE FOR HUSBAND CM PUNK WHO’S IN THE BEST SHAPE OF HIS LIFE

Benard brought up the love of AJ’s life, WWE superstar CM Punk. She explained how continually impressed by him she is, and its important to be a supportive spouse. “He’s in the best shape of his life right now and was just champion for most of the year. I am his wife, so I am a little like biased, but objectively, he had one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time (against Roman Reigns).I’m so impressed with how he’s able to push himself and just be the best athlete he can be.  He reaches for the moon every time, but it’s amazing. He’s such a good wrestler and I know he can do anything he sets his mind too.”

MORE PROJECTS IN THE WORKS

Coming up, while you may not see her on weekly editions of Monday Night Raw, Lee clarified her immediate future, “I spent the last eight months on Monday Night Raw on Netflix. I am going to be doing WWE Unreal the documentary series also for Netflix,. I’m still writing and producing. I have a production company called Scrappy Heart Productions, and our goal is  make underdogs the stars of their own stories. Right now, we are producing our first feature film and the short film version of it. We have a bunch of other projects in the works that we love and we’re so passionate about including comic books. We’re working hard on that one. So, it’s all different parts of the same muscle (for me). It’s all about telling and creating stories.”

You can watch AJ’s chat with Maurice Benard on State of Mind below.

Now, let us know, do you miss AJ after her 8 month comeback in the WWE? What did you think about what she shared on how the WWE higher-ups protected her mental health as best as possible? Are you a fan of CM Punk and AJ as a duo? Does AJ’s journey and story compel you to also check and look after your own mental health? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber

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Alley Mills

Heather Webber, one of the all-time villains in General Hospital history is on her way back to the canvas, when two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Alley Mills reprises the role beginning on the Thursday, November 5 episode.

TV Insider revealed the comeback news today. Mills began playing the role of Heather back in October of 2002. The previous Heathers included: Robin Mattson, Mary O’Brien and the very first Heather, who was none other than Georganne LaPiere (the half-sister of Cher).

As for Mills, she actually took home the Daytime Emmy last year at the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series. She won in the same category back in 2022.

Heather Webber

Photo: ABC

FROM THE WONDERS YEARS TO THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL TO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Alley Mills assumed the role of Heather Webber in October 2022 and had ended her initial run in 2023 and then was back again in 2024. Soap fans also know that Mills had played Pam Douglas on the The Bold and the Beautiful since 2006 and appeared on the series through 2019, and made appearance in story in 2021 and 2022.

On B&B, Alley was a part of the memorable storyline which saw Pam and Stephanie’s (Susan Flannery) mother, Ann Douglas (the late Betty White) pass away. In addition to GH and B&B. primetime fans know Alley as Norma Arnold, the mom of the ABC’s hit late 80s and early 90s series, The Wonder Years.

When GH viewers last saw Heather and her crime spree as The Hook, she had taken the life of Brando Corbin (the late Johnny Wactor) and what was believed at the time to be the life of Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), although a few years later, Britt showed up alive.

Heather wound up in the slammer at Pentonville, but got released in 2024, when it was revealed that she had a bad hip replacement which resulted in cobalt poisoning which was said to be the root cause of her erratic behavior.

WHAT BRINGS HEATHER WEBBER BACK INTO THE STORY?

Eventually, Heather’s son, Steven Lars (Scott Reeves) returned to Port Charles to retrieve his mother, and to make sure she was taken care for out of town. Now the question becomes, why is Heather back on the GH canvas in 2026?

One theory! Could Heather be revealed as the person stalking Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali)? After all, Heather is the mother to the late Esme Prince (Avery Pohl). Perhaps, she wants retribution for her daughter, and this is her twisted way of doing it? Or, is something else at play here? Stay tuned!

Take a look at our conversation with Alley from the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards immediately following her second Emmy win below.

Now let us know, excited to know Alley Mills is returning as Heather? What do you think will be her storyline this time around? Weigh-in via the comment section.

 

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jordan Sees Sonny and Justine Making Out, Britt and Anna Have a Chat, Valentin is Livid

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General Hospital, Jordan

On the Tuesday, September 22 episode of General Hospital, Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) got an earful from Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) after her proposed stunt to get damning evidence against Drew (Cameron Mathison), Anna (Finola Hughes) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had a conversation they needed to have, and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) came upon Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Justine (Nazneen Contractor) making out in the parking lot of the Brown Dog Bar.

Let’s take a closer look as the action and story that went down: First, Valentin was horrified to learn what Charlotte was plotting to get Drew to leave Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) alone. Learning that Charlotte thought that her plan to make it look as if Drew was making out with a teenage girl was a great idea, Valentin fired back. “Dammit, why can’t you admit you put your life at risk?”

Valentin firmly told his daughter that she will not have any more contact with Danny. However, Charlotte said she will see Danny at school, Valentin stated, “Not anymore.” Will Valentin put Charlotte in another high school? Send her out of town or leave town with his daughter? Stay tuned.

APOLOGY ACCEPTED

After leaving the Brown Dog Bar, Britt headed over to Aurora Wellness and had a tense confrontation with Anna, the woman who planned on killing her. Anna apologized to Britt noting she would always regret what she did and would like to smooth things over with Britt if she would let her.

Taking in Anna’s apology, Britt also apologized for not coming to Anna’s rescue sooner while Anna was locked up in Wyndemere. Anna says she understands Britt was made to believe she was dying of Huntington’s disease. However, Anna said that Cesar Faison had caused just as much long-term damage to his daughter as he has with her. That moment, leaves Britt startled.

JORDAN OFFERS AN ENDORSEMENT THEN GETS AN EYEFUL

Back at the Brown Dog, Jordan offered Justine her endorsement for the Port Charles district attorney position. Jordan even went one step further and said as much as she does not like going out in public (due to her facial scars) she would help organize a kick-off rally.

Jordan also let Justine know she will have tough competition during her DA election campaign, and for Justine not to be surprised if one of her competitors goes looking for any dirt or skeletons they can dig up on her. While Justine glances over at Sonny, who is at another table, she tells Jordan she is confident no one will find anything to use against her.

HOWEVER at the end of the episode, Sonny followed Justine into the parking lot after they had separately exited the Brown Dog Bar, where they flirted and reminisced about their first kiss in the same spot. Next thing you know, the two are making out when Jordan happens upon the scenes and is witness to their smooches. We fade to black.

Take a look at the final moments from today’s GH in a scene entitled, “Not Public Knowledge” below.

Then weigh-in, Why do you think it was Jordan who came upon Sonny and Justine’s romance? How will Jordan use the intel to her own advantage, or will she? What do you think Britt will do next? And what did you think of Charlotte’s plan to get some video on Drew to use against him to get him to leave Danny alone? Let us know in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

THIS FRIDAY: ‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali to Drop Music Video for Her Single ‘Pray’

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Tabyana Ali

General Hospital’s Tabyana Ali (Trina Robinson) is following up the September 1st premiere and drop of her new single Pray, with the release of the music video for it this Friday, September 25.

Ali made the announcement on Tuesday, September 22 via her Instagram account, which featured snippets from the music video with the date 9.25.26.

The timing couldn’t be better since most of the music industry is all about Sunday night’s September 27 MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards).

Tabyana Ali and Giovanni Mazza

Photo: ABC

TRINA TIME

Previiously, Trina and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) performed the song “Pray” at a showcase arranged by music executive Simon (Grady Eldridge), with the looming question of who is Trina’s stalker yet to be revealed.

In more recent episodes of GH, Trina was on the warpath after learning that Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) was the actual driver of the car involved in the accident with Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and her father, Curtis (Donnell Turner).

Realizing Brook Lynn kept her mouth shut, in the end, Curtis is serving two years of jail time over accosting Isaiah  Gannon (Sawani Wilson) believing he was the other driver! When Brook Lynn knew it was her all along. The situation has caused tension between Trina and her music manager.

WHERE TO LISTEN AND FIND TABYANA ALI’S LATEST SINGLE

Pray is based off a poem written by Ali and was turned into a track.

Currently, you can download or stream the song via You Tube Music, Apple Music, Spotify and more.

So, are you looking forward to seeing Tabyana’s music video for her single Pray this Friday? Let us know via the comment section.

 

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A post shared by TABYANA ALI🌙✨🌺 (@tabyanaali)

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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