Who is AJ Mendez?
AJ Mendez, popularly known by her WWE ring name AJ Lee, is an American professional wrestler, bestselling author, screenwriter, producer, actress, and mental health advocate. Her real name is April Jeanette Mendez, and she is regarded as one of the most influential female wrestlers in WWE history.
AJ rose to fame during WWE’s “Divas Era” by proving that women could be featured for their wrestling ability as well as their personalities. Her unique “geek girl” character, outstanding microphone skills, and exciting in-ring performances helped change the way female wrestlers were viewed in WWE. She became a three-time WWE Divas Champion, held the championship for a combined 406 days, and won several Slammy Awards during her career.
After retiring from in-ring competition in 2015, AJ built a successful career outside wrestling. She became a New York Times bestselling author, co-founded Scrappy Heart Productions, wrote comic books with actress Aimee Garcia, worked as an executive producer for WOW – Women of Wrestling, and became a respected mental health advocate.
In 2025, after more than ten years away from WWE, AJ made a highly anticipated return. In 2026, she won the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, proving that she remained one of professional wrestling’s biggest stars.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | April Jeanette Mendez |
| Ring Name | AJ Lee |
| Professional Name | AJ Mendez |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1987 |
| Age | 39 Years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Union City, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler, Author, Producer, Screenwriter, Actress |
| Current Promotion | WWE |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) |
| Wrestling Debut | 2007 |
AJ Mendez Early Life
AJ Mendez was born on March 19, 1987, in Union City, New Jersey, into a Puerto Rican family.
Her childhood was far from easy. AJ has openly shared that her family struggled with poverty, mental illness, and financial difficulties. At different times, they lived in motels, cars, and temporary housing because they could not afford permanent accommodation.
Despite these hardships, AJ never gave up on her dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Inspired by WWE legends—especially Lita—she decided at the age of 12 that she wanted to wrestle for WWE.
Her difficult childhood later became one of the central themes of her bestselling memoir, inspiring millions of readers around the world.
AJ Mendez Education
AJ graduated from Memorial High School in West New York, New Jersey.
She later enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied Film and Television Production.
Unfortunately, because of financial problems faced by her family, she left university after about six months and decided to pursue professional wrestling full-time.
Although she did not complete her degree, her passion for storytelling eventually led her to become a successful writer and producer.
AJ Mendez Family
AJ Mendez comes from a close-knit Puerto Rican family.
- Father: Robert Mendez (Automotive Engineer)
- Mother: Janet Acevedo (Homemaker and Home Health Aide)
She is the youngest of three children.
AJ married fellow WWE Superstar CM Punk (Phillip Brooks) on June 13, 2014. The couple is regarded as one of professional wrestling’s most popular real-life couples. They have supported each other’s careers for many years and currently divide their time between Los Angeles and Chicago.
AJ Mendez Career
Independent Wrestling
AJ began wrestling in 2007 on the independent wrestling circuit under the ring name Miss April.
Her natural charisma and technical wrestling ability quickly attracted attention, eventually earning her a WWE developmental contract in 2009.
WWE Developmental System
After signing with WWE, AJ trained in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).
She won the FCW Divas Championship and continued developing her character before making her main roster debut.
Her success in FCW demonstrated that she had the talent to become one of WWE’s future stars.
Rise to WWE Stardom
AJ officially joined WWE’s main roster in 2011.
Her popularity exploded during storylines involving Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, John Cena, Kane, and Dolph Ziggler.
She later became the General Manager of Raw, where her unpredictable personality made her one of WWE’s most entertaining performers.
Unlike many women during the Divas Era, AJ focused on wrestling ability rather than glamour, helping inspire the next generation of female wrestlers.
Three-Time Divas Champion
AJ captured the WWE Divas Championship three times.
Her second reign lasted 295 consecutive days, while her combined championship reigns totalled 406 days, setting records during that era.
During her championship run she defeated many of WWE’s top female stars, including:
- Paige
- Natalya
- Naomi
- Cameron
- Nikki Bella
- Brie Bella
She was also voted Pro Wrestling Illustrated Woman of the Year for three consecutive years (2012–2014), highlighting her impact on the industry.
Retirement
In April 2015, WWE announced AJ’s retirement from in-ring competition.
She later explained that ongoing neck injuries, physical wear and tear, and personal circumstances contributed to her decision to step away from wrestling.
Although fans hoped for her return, AJ spent the next decade building a successful career outside the ring.
Career Beyond Wrestling
After retirement, AJ became one of wrestling’s most successful crossover personalities.
Her achievements include:
- Writing the New York Times bestselling memoir Crazy Is My Superpower.
- Co-founding Scrappy Heart Productions.
- Co-writing comic books including Wonder Woman, GLOW, Dungeons & Dragons, and Day of the Dead Girl.
- Executive Producer and commentator for WOW – Women of Wrestling.
- Co-writing Netflix’s Blade of the 47 Ronin.
- Working as an actress and screenwriter on several television and film projects.
WWE Return (2025–Present)
One of the biggest moments of AJ’s career came in September 2025, when she made a surprise return to WWE after more than ten years away.
She returned to help CM Punk during his rivalry with Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, leading to a successful mixed tag team victory.
At Elimination Chamber 2026, AJ defeated Becky Lynch to win the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, her first singles championship since returning to WWE. She later defended the title against Bayley before losing it back to Lynch at WrestleMania 42.
Recent Career Updates (2026)
AJ Mendez remains active with WWE on a part-time basis while continuing her work as an author and producer.
In July 2026, Netflix’s WWE: Unreal Season 3 gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at her return, including her contract negotiations and preparations for wrestling again. AJ also revealed that WWE offered her a contract with compensation comparable to her husband CM Punk’s on a per-appearance basis, calling it a significant step for pay equity in wrestling.
She also represented WWE at Fanatics Fest and was announced as a featured guest for San Diego Comic-Con 2026, where she continues to promote both her wrestling career and creative projects.
AJ Mendez Personal Life
Outside wrestling, AJ enjoys reading comic books, watching anime, writing stories, and playing video games.
She has openly discussed living with bipolar disorder and has become one of the most respected mental health advocates in sports entertainment. Through speeches, interviews, and her memoir, she has encouraged others to seek help and speak openly about mental health challenges.
AJ Mendez Controversy
AJ Mendez has generally stayed away from major personal controversies.
Earlier in her career, she publicly criticised differences in how WWE promoted and compensated male and female wrestlers. Her advocacy for equal treatment became an important part of discussions surrounding women’s wrestling. Following her 2025 WWE return, she said receiving equal per-appearance compensation was a meaningful milestone in that effort.
AJ Mendez Social Media
| Platform | Profile |
| @theajmendez | |
| X (Twitter) | @TheAJMendez |
| Official Website | theajmendez.com |
AJ Mendez Net Worth
| Category | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | £3 Million–£5 Million (Approx.) |
| Primary Income | WWE Contract |
| Other Income Sources | Books, Film & TV Writing, Producing, Acting, Public Speaking, Brand Partnerships |
Note: AJ Mendez’s exact earnings have not been officially disclosed. The estimate is based on her WWE contract, bestselling books, entertainment projects, and other business ventures.
AJ Mendez Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 115 lbs (52 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Distinctive Features | Long dark hair, expressive personality, geek-inspired style |
Interesting Facts about AJ Mendez
- AJ Mendez’s real name is April Jeanette Mendez.
- She is of Puerto Rican heritage.
- She dreamed of becoming a WWE Superstar from the age of 12.
- She won the WWE Divas Championship three times.
- She held the Divas Championship for a combined 406 days.
- Her memoir Crazy Is My Superpower became a New York Times bestseller.
- She co-founded Scrappy Heart Productions with actress Aimee Garcia.
- She has written comic books for major publishers, including DC Comics and IDW.
- She is married to WWE Superstar CM Punk.
- She returned to WWE in 2025 after a decade-long retirement.
- She won the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship in 2026.
- She is a leading advocate for mental health awareness and women’s equality in professional wrestling.
FAQs
Q1. Who is AJ Mendez?
AJ Mendez, also known as AJ Lee, is an American professional wrestler, bestselling author, producer, and screenwriter currently signed to WWE.
Q2. What is AJ Mendez’s real name?
Her real name is April Jeanette Mendez.
Q3. How old is AJ Mendez?
She is 39 years old as of 2026.
Q4. Who is AJ Mendez married to?
She is married to fellow WWE Superstar CM Punk (Phillip Brooks).
Q5. How many times has AJ Lee won the WWE Divas Championship?
She is a three-time WWE Divas Champion.
Q6. Why did AJ Mendez retire from WWE in 2015?
She retired because of ongoing neck injuries and personal reasons before returning to WWE in 2025.
Q7. What is AJ Mendez’s bestselling book?
Her memoir Crazy Is My Superpower became a New York Times bestseller.
Q8. What is AJ Mendez’s estimated net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between £3 million and £5 million, although her exact earnings have not been officially confirmed.
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