The road to Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 has taken a dramatic turn, with AJ Lee and Becky Lynch being officially revealed as the final members of their respective teams on the latest edition of WWE SmackDown. The announcement not only solidifies the lineups for this year’s highly anticipated Women’s WarGames match but also reignites one of the most personal rivalries in recent WWE memory[1][9][11].
Tensions Explode on SmackDown: AJ Lee and Becky Lynch Join Opposing Sides
The closing moments of SmackDown were chaotic, as both teams scrambled to finalize their rosters. After weeks of rumors and speculation, AJ Lee emerged as the final member of Rhea Ripley’s squad, while Becky Lynch officially aligned herself with the formidable opposition, led by The Kabuki Warriors and Nia Jax[11][12].
This development follows a series of explosive encounters between Lee and Lynch, whose animosity has only intensified since Lee’s controversial return to WWE earlier this year. The two clashed at WrestlePalooza in a mixed tag match, where Lee forced Lynch to tap out, escalating their feud to a fever pitch[2][4].
The Final Teams: Stacked Lineups Promise Carnage
With the latest additions, the Women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series will feature the following teams:
| Team AJ Lee (Babyfaces) | Team Becky Lynch (Heels) |
|---|---|
| AJ Lee | Becky Lynch |
| Rhea Ripley | Nia Jax |
| IYO SKY | Lash Legend |
| Alexa Bliss | Asuka (Kabuki Warrior) |
| Charlotte Flair | Kairi Sane (Kabuki Warrior) |
The babyface team, now complete with the inclusion of AJ Lee and the return of Charlotte Flair, presents a united front—at least on the surface. Meanwhile, the heel contingent, captained by Becky Lynch, boasts dangerous powerhouses and cunning tacticians[6][11][13].
Charlotte Flair’s U-Turn: Back in the WarGames Picture
Charlotte Flair’s involvement in WarGames was anything but certain. Initially, Flair withdrew from the match, expressing doubts about Rhea Ripley’s leadership and voicing her own misgivings about the team dynamic. However, after Alexa Bliss was ambushed on Raw, Flair made a dramatic return, wielding a kendo stick to save Bliss and signaling her intention to rejoin the fray[1][7][10].
Backstage, a WWE insider shared, “Charlotte was torn about returning, but ultimately, she couldn’t stand by while her friends were outnumbered. This is about more than titles—it’s about pride, loyalty, and unfinished business inside the cage.”
AJ Lee’s Return Shakes the Division
AJ Lee’s comeback has been one of the year’s most buzzed-about stories. After helping her husband, CM Punk, at WrestlePalooza, Lee made her in-ring intentions clear by costing Becky Lynch the Women’s Intercontinental Championship—an act that not only robbed Lynch of her title but also set the stage for their confrontation inside WarGames[2][4][12].
Her alliance with Ripley’s team was sealed after a backstage conversation, where Rhea Ripley reportedly convinced Lee that their team needed her unique experience and tenacity to stand a chance against the dangerous heel faction[2][4]. According to a backstage source, “Rhea made it clear: if anyone can survive the chaos of WarGames, it’s AJ Lee. She’s unpredictable, she’s battle-tested, and she wants to settle her score with Becky.”
Becky Lynch Seeks Retribution—and Domination
For Becky Lynch, joining the opposition was personal. After losing her championship due to Lee’s interference, “The Man” has been on a mission to not only regain her standing but also to punish AJ Lee in the most brutal environment WWE has to offer[2][4][9]. The inclusion of Lynch on the heel side, alongside the likes of Nia Jax and The Kabuki Warriors, has transformed the match into a volatile powder keg.
Lynch’s willingness to join forces with former rivals speaks to her singular focus on revenge. As one source close to Lynch put it, “Becky isn’t interested in playing nice or being a hero. She wants AJ Lee inside the cage, and she’ll tear down anyone who stands in her way.”
The Stakes: Grudges, Alliances, and the Future of WWE’s Women’s Division
The announcement of these final teams has sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe. Not only does this match feature some of the most decorated women in WWE history, but it also marks a pivotal moment for the women’s division—where old grudges, shifting alliances, and personal vendettas will be settled inside one of WWE’s most unforgiving structures[1][6][11].
Key storylines heading into the match include:
AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch: Their rivalry has been the focal point of the build, with both women seeking to prove themselves as the true standard-bearer of the division[2][4].
Charlotte Flair’s Loyalty: After her initial hesitation, Flair’s renewed commitment to her team could be the X-factor, but questions about her trust in Ripley still linger[1][10].
Unpredictable Alliances: With personalities like Nia Jax and Asuka in the mix, and the addition of NXT’s Lash Legend, both teams are rife with combustible elements that could implode at any moment[6][11][13].
Backstage Reactions: “We’re Not Here to Make Friends”
As tension boiled over following the show, a defiant AJ Lee was overheard backstage telling her team, “We’re not here to make friends—we’re here to make history. Becky wants a fight? I’m ready to finish what we started. WarGames is where legends are made… or broken.”
A WWE official also noted, “This is the most stacked women’s match we’ve booked all year. The mix of returning icons, champions, and rising stars is exactly what Survivor Series is about. Expect fireworks—and maybe a few surprises.”
Looking Ahead: WarGames Set to Define the Next Era
With the teams now finalized, anticipation for WarGames has reached a fever pitch. As Survivor Series approaches on November 29, the spotlight is firmly on the women’s division to deliver a match that could define careers and reshape the championship picture for months to come[1][11][13].
The only certainty is that when the cage doors close, alliances will be tested, grudges will be settled, and only one team will emerge from WarGames with their legacy intact.