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Ex-WWE & Current AEW Star Believed To Be Retired At 41

By Gaurav Singh • Published Jul 15, 2026 06:52 EDT
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AEW star may have retired (Image Source-WWE.com)

A former WWE star, who is currently signed with AEW, is believed to be retired from in-ring competition. The star in discussion is Keith Lee.

Keith Lee has been in the pro wrestling industry since the year 2005. After a long run on the independent wrestling scene, Lee joined the WWE in 2018. He had a great run during the Black and Gold era of NXT, where he won the NXT and North American Championships. However, Lee’s main roster run was largely underwhelming aside from a few notable moments.

Following his WWE departure in 2021, Keith Lee signed with AEW in 2022 and was off to a great start there, as he became the World Tag Team Champion alongside Swerve Strickland during his first year. However, Lee has been out of action since December 2023 despite still being under contract with All Elite Wrestling.

When asked by a fan about his potential return to the ring on X social media last year, Keith Lee revealed that he is fine, but a return to AEW is not up to him:

Again, I am quite fine. It is not up to me when it comes to a return. But blessings to you as well,” Lee wrote.

Meanwhile, it is believed that Keith Lee might be retired at the age of just 41.

The 41-year-old AEW star and ex-WWE star is believed to be retired from pro wrestling

After more than two years of his absence from in-ring action, the 41-year-old AEW star, Keith Lee may have retired, according to a new report.

Speaking on the Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez reported that there have been talks that Keith Lee is done:

There’s been a lot of talk about Keith Lee over the last couple of days. From talking to people, the belief within the business is that Keith Lee is done.”

Alvarez also clarified that Keith Lee is not just done with AEW, but he is believed to be retired. Therefore, Lee’s All Elite return is unlikely:

We’re not talking like when he’s done with AEW, he’ll go elsewhere. It is believed that he is likely just retired. So, we won’t get the return to AEW if that is the case. That’s what everybody believes right now. That’s the update on Keith Lee.” [h/t Ringside News]

Fans will have to wait and see whether Keith Lee breaks the silence on his rumored retirement.

Also read: Prayers Up For WWE And AEW Legend Jim Ross