AJ Lee

AJ Lee – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Explore the journey of AJ Lee (April Jeanette Mendez) — from her humble beginnings to WWE stardom, her mental health advocacy, her writing, and her most resonant quotes.

Introduction

AJ Lee (born April Jeanette Mendez; March 19, 1987) is an American former professional wrestler, author, and advocate. Best known for her time in WWE under the ring name AJ Lee, she became a three-time Divas Champion and a prominent voice on mental health and gender equity in wrestling. Her story combines athleticism, struggle, reinvention, and creative voice.

Early Life and Background

April Jeanette Mendez was born in Union City, New Jersey.

Her childhood was marked by financial hardship, mental health challenges in the family, and instability in housing — at times she and her family lived in motels or in their car.

In 2005, Mendez graduated from Memorial High School in West New York, New Jersey.

Wrestling Career

Early Years & WWE Entry

AJ began training for professional wrestling in 2007, enrolling in a school near her home and working to cover tuition. Miss April.

In May 2009, she signed with WWE and was assigned to its developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). April Lee, then adopted AJ Lee.

WWE Main Roster & Stardom

AJ Lee was promoted to WWE’s main roster around 2011.

She also served as General Manager of RAW for a storyline period.

AJ Lee won the WWE Divas Championship three times, tying the record (shared with Eve Torres), and held the title for a combined total of 406 days (a then-record). Woman of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated from 2012 to 2014.

In early 2015, WWE announced her retirement from in-ring competition, citing cumulative cervical spine damage and that she had achieved her goals.

Return & Recent Developments

In September 2025, AJ Lee made a surprise return to WWE after over a decade away, appearing on SmackDown and re-engaging with storylines and rivalries.

Outside of wrestling, AJ has been involved in producing, commentary roles (e.g. for Women of Wrestling) and creative writing.

Writing, Advocacy & Personal Identity

After her wrestling career, AJ pivoted toward writing and advocacy. Her memoir, Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules, was published in April 2017 and became a New York Times Bestseller.

AJ has openly shared her experience living with bipolar disorder, stating that the diagnosis did not have to be a burden, but something to be understood and used.

Her advocacy also extends to calling out gender inequities in WWE — for instance, she publicly challenged disparities in pay, screen time, and merchandise opportunities for female wrestlers.

On a personal note, AJ Lee married fellow professional wrestler Phillip Brooks (CM Punk) on June 13, 2014.

She also identifies as a tomboy, with interest in comics, anime, video games, and alternative visual culture.

Legacy & Impact

AJ Lee’s legacy is multi-dimensional:

• Pioneering female wrestler: She helped reshape how women are portrayed in WWE, both in character depth and in advocating for equity.

• Mental health visibility: Her transparency about bipolar disorder has resonated with fans and contributed to broader conversations about mental illness in high-pressure performance fields.

• Creative reinvention: Transitioning from one of the top performers in wrestling to a published author and content creator shows adaptability and ambition.

• Voice for change: Her willingness to call out systemic inequities within WWE made her a leader among peers and fans pushing for better representation.

Her return to WWE in 2025 suggests she still holds influence and narrative power in the industry.

Memorable Quotes

Here are some notable quotes by AJ Lee that reflect her perspective, resilience, and voice:

“Break the rules. Be a fighter. Any dream is possible if you are brave enough to do it your way.”

“I am bipolar, and I am proud. And that is why I wanted to write a book. To shine a light on mental illness … You are not alone. You are not broken.”

“When I was really little, I wanted to be a wrestler … My brother then told me that ‘You don’t want to be like your idols; you want to grow up and be better than them.’ To this day, that’s the best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten.”

“The key is to be a personality outside of the ring and then bring that personality with you inside the ring.”

“I’m not the sexiest Diva or the strongest Diva. I know who I am … I’m kind of dorky, and I’m someone you can see at your school or as your neighbor, and I think people like that.”

“I’ve always wanted to entertain people … wrestling was always there. When life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade.”

Lessons from AJ Lee’s Journey

1. Vulnerability as strength
   By speaking about her struggles openly, AJ showed that being public about mental health can build connection and resilience rather than undermining one’s persona.

2. Advocate from within
   Her critiques of gender inequality in wrestling came from her lived experience — showing that insiders can sometimes unlock change most powerfully.

3. Authenticity matters
   AJ’s insistence on being herself, rather than conforming to typical Diva tropes, helped her stand out and maintain integrity.

4. Reinvention is possible
   Transitioning from wrestler to author and creative voice, she demonstrates that identity need not be confined to one phase of life.

5. Purpose transcends performance
   Even in her athletic prime, AJ’s work was embedded with meaning — whether through story arcs, advocacy, or her later creative endeavors.

If you’d like, I can also prepare a chronology of her key matches, or analyze her memoir chapter by chapter. Which would you like next?