The 37-year-old made her WWE in 2011.
Highlights
- AJ Lee, born April Jeanette Mendez, is the youngest of three children of Puerto Rican parents Janet Acevedo and Robert Mendez.
- She faced significant financial hardships and instability during her childhood, often moving between apartments and sometimes living in motels or their car.
- Despite these challenges, AJ found solace and inspiration in professional wrestling, influenced by her brother’s interest in WWE and her admiration for female wrestler Lita.
- AJ’s dedication led her to a successful wrestling career, becoming a three-time WWE Divas Champion. She is also an advocate for mental health awareness, drawing from her personal experiences with bipolar disorder.
April Jeanette Mendez, widely recognized by her ring name, AJ Lee, is a former professional wrestler celebrated for her tenure in WWE.
Born on March 19, 1987, in Union City, New Jersey, she is the youngest of three children of Puerto Rican parents, Janet Acevedo and Robert Mendez.
AJ Had A Tumultuous Childhood
Financial hardships and instability marked AJ Lee’s upbringing.
Her family frequently moved between apartments, sometimes living in motels or their car when unable to afford rent.
This unstable lifestyle was further worsened by mental illness and drug addiction within the family.
Despite these obstacles, Mendez found solace and inspiration in professional wrestling, mainly influenced by her older brother, Robert’s interest in WWE, and her admiration for female wrestler Lita.
By the age of 12, she had resolved to pursue a career in wrestling.
She Went To NYU But Dropped Out
After graduating from Memorial High School in West New York, New Jersey, Mendez briefly attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in film and television production.
However, due to family and financial constraints, she left after six months to work full-time and save for wrestling training.
Her dedication led her to enroll in wrestling school, where she began training skills that would later define her career.
AJ Made Her Wrestling Debut In 2007
Mendez debuted on the independent wrestling circuit in 2007 under the ring name “Miss April.”
Her talent and charisma soon caught the attention of WWE, leading to her signing a developmental contract in 2009.
Adopting the ring name AJ Lee, she quickly became a fan favorite, known for her “Geek Goddess” persona that resonated with audiences.
10 YEARS AGO TODAY:
— 🌨️ WÏŁŚ❄️Ñ 🌨️ (@WondahWilson) August 26, 2023
AJ Lee started the Divas Revolution after delivering the greatest women’s wrestling promo ever 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
pic.twitter.com/dHpAZBZ8aV
Throughout her WWE career, she held the Divas Championship three times and was renowned for her in-ring prowess and engaging storylines.
In 2015, Mendez retired from in-ring competition after a severe neck injury but continued influencing the wrestling world through her advocacy and writing.
Aj Began Dating CM Punk In 2013
AJ Lee’s personal life garnered significant media attention, particularly her relationship with fellow professional wrestler CM Punk (real name Phillip Jack Brooks).
The couple began dating in 2013 and married on June 13, 2014.
12 years ago today: AJ Lee proposed to CM Punk on Raw.
— Teffo (@Teffo_01) July 9, 2024
2 years later after that they’d actually get married in real life 🥰❤️ pic.twitter.com/X0XZvXGCuo
They have maintained a relatively private personal life despite the public’s interest.
As of 2024, the couple does not have any children.
She Opens About Her Struggles With Bipolar Disorder
Beyond wrestling, Mendez is an advocate for mental health awareness, drawing from her personal experiences with bipolar disorder, a condition she was diagnosed with around the age of 20.
She has been open about her struggles and uses her platform to promote understanding and support for mental health issues.
In 2017, she published her memoir, “Crazy Is My Superpower,” which delves into her life, career, and advocacy work.
Additional Information
- AJ Mendez co-wrote the comic book series “GLOW vs. The Babyface” with actress Aimee Garcia. The series is based on the Netflix show “GLOW” and was published by IDW Publishing.
- AJ was named Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Woman of the Year for three consecutive years (2012, 2013, and 2014), highlighting her impact and popularity in the wrestling world.
