The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
September 10, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Professional Wrestler›AJ Lee
Sports • Professional Wrestler

AJ Lee

AJ Lee is the ring name of April Jeanette Mendez, an American professional wrestler and author.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

AJ Lee is the ring name of April Jeanette Mendez, an American professional wrestler and author. She is best known for her WWE career, where she became a three-time WWE Divas Champion and was associated with the transition toward a more prominent women’s wrestling era.

Early life

AJ Lee was born April Jeanette Mendez on March 19, 1987, in Union City, New Jersey. Sources also describe her as of Puerto Rican descent.

WWE career

She signed with WWE in 2009, appeared in developmental promotion FCW, and later became a main-roster performer on NXT and Raw. Her WWE career is most closely associated with her three Divas Championship reigns.

Championships and style

AJ Lee is recognized for holding the WWE Divas Championship three times, with one source noting a 295-day reign record for the title. Her in-ring presentation emphasized athleticism and the Black Widow submission hold.

Retirement and later activity

WWE-related sources indicate she retired in 2015 after WrestleMania 31. Later sources report a return to WWE in 2025 and a Women’s Intercontinental Championship win in 2026.

Books and media work

Beyond wrestling, AJ Lee has been identified as an author, and some sources note work in television and other entertainment roles.

Key facts

  • AJ Lee is a three-time WWE Divas Champion known for her high-energy, lucha-inspired style.
  • She retired from in-ring wrestling in 2015 but returned to WWE in 2025.
  • Her signature move is the Black Widow submission hold.
  • She has also worked as an author and television personality.
🍁
Canadian context

AJ Lee is relevant to Canadian readers through WWE’s strong Canadian fan base, frequent WWE television coverage in Canada, and her role in the broader evolution of women’s professional wrestling watched widely by Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is AJ Lee?
AJ Lee is the ring name of April Jeanette Mendez, an American professional wrestler best known for her WWE career.
What is AJ Lee's real name?
Her birth name is April Jeanette Mendez, though some later sources list the surname Brooks after marriage.
What titles did AJ Lee win in WWE?
She is credited with three WWE Divas Championship reigns, and some sources also list FCW and other promotional titles.
When was AJ Lee born?
She was born on March 19, 1987.
Is AJ Lee still active in wrestling?
Recent sources indicate she returned to WWE in 2025 and competed again in 2026, while earlier sources recorded her 2015 retirement.

References

  1. WWE — https://www.wwe.com/superstars/aj-lee
    Supports: height, hometown, signature move, career highlights, and WWE profile description
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/46318107/wwe-profile-aj-lee-accolades-history-titles
    Supports: birth date, billed height and weight, WWE accolades, and signature move
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJ_Lee
    Supports: birth name, birth date, nationality, and general career overview
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJ_Lee
    Supports: recent WWE return and 2026 championship developments
  5. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJ_Lee
    Supports: birth name, birthplace, WWE tenure, title history, and 2026 championship details
  6. Polish Wikipedia — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJ_Lee
    Supports: Divas Championship reign record, retirement, and return notes
  7. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4054498/
    Supports: birth date, birthplace, and non-wrestling credits