Career Timeline of AJ Lee: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 25, 2026

Discover the career path of AJ Lee, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

April Jeanette Mendez, known as AJ Lee in WWE, is an American professional wrestler and author. She began wrestling for WWE in September 2025 under the Raw brand. As AJ Lee, she achieved considerable success and popularity during her wrestling career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 2007: Enrolls in Wrestling School

In March 2007, Mendez enrolled in a wrestling school near her home and was trained by Jay Lethal.

2007: Began professional wrestling career

In 2007, Mendez began her professional wrestling career in New Jersey's independent circuit.

October 2008: Joined Women Superstars Uncensored

In October 2008, she joined the New Jersey-based promotion Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU).

February 2009: Wins WSU Tag Team Championship

In February 2009, as Miss April, she and Brooke Carter captured the WSU Tag Team Championship.

May 2009: Signed with WWE

In May 2009, Mendez signed a contract with WWE after attending a tryout camp.

2009: Signs with WWE

In 2009, Mendez signed with WWE and spent two years in its developmental branch, Florida Championship Wrestling, before her promotion to the main roster.

February 2010: Wins Queen of FCW Title

In February 2010, AJ Lee defeated Serena Mancini to win the Queen of FCW title.

September 2010: Participates in NXT Season 3

In September 2010, AJ Lee took part in the third season of NXT, where she was mentored by Primo.

April 2011: Loses FCW Divas Championship

In April 2011, AJ Lee lost the FCW Divas Championship to Aksana.

May 27, 2011: Main Roster Debut on SmackDown

On May 27, 2011, AJ Lee made her main roster debut on SmackDown as part of a tag team with Kaitlyn, known as "The Chickbusters."

November 2011: On-screen Relationship with Daniel Bryan

By November 2011, AJ was featured in an on-screen relationship with Daniel Bryan, who began portraying a villainous character after winning the World Heavyweight Championship the following month.

January 13, 2012: Knocked Down by Big Show

On January 13, 2012 episode of SmackDown, AJ was accidentally knocked down by Big Show during Bryan's title defense and was taken out on a stretcher as part of the storyline.

2012: Rose to prominence in WWE

In 2012, she rose to prominence in WWE through storylines with her "mentally unstable" character, high-profile relationships, and a three-month stint as the General Manager of Raw.

March 2013: Reignited Rivalry with Daniel Bryan

In March 2013, AJ's storyline rivalry with her ex-boyfriend Daniel Bryan was reignited backstage.

April 22, 2013: Wins Battle Royal to Become Number One Contender

On April 22, 2013, AJ won a battle royal to become the number one contender to Kaitlyn's WWE Divas Championship.

January 2014: Longest-Reigning Divas Champion

In January 2014, AJ became the longest-reigning Divas Champion at the time.

April 2015: Initial Retirement

In April 2015, AJ Lee initially retired from in-ring performing.

April 4, 2017: Publication of "Crazy Is My Superpower"

On April 4, 2017, AJ Mendez's memoir, "Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules," was published by Crown Archetype. The book, which details her life and wrestling career, debuted at No. 10 on The New York Times Best Seller list.

2018: NAMI's Multicultural Outreach Award

In 2018, AJ Mendez was awarded NAMI's Multicultural Outreach Award for her advocacy for mental health awareness.

November 2019: Publication of GLOW vs. The Babyface Issue #1

In November 2019, the first of four issues of the comic book series "GLOW vs. The Babyface", written by AJ Mendez and Aimee Garcia, was published by IDW Publishing. The comic book series is based on the television series GLOW.

2019: Forms writing partnership with Aimee Garcia

In 2019, Mendez formed a writing partnership with actress Aimee Garcia.

November 2020: Publication of Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World Issue #1

In November 2020, the first issue of the Dungeons & Dragons four-issue limited series "At the Spine of the World," co-written by AJ Mendez, Aimee Garcia and John Swetman, was published by IDW.

2020: Black List's Latinx TV list

In 2020, AJ Mendez's television pilot script, "Home", made the Black List's inaugural Latinx TV list.

June 2021: Story in Wonder Woman: Black and Gold

In June 2021, AJ Mendez wrote a story in the first issue of DC Comics' "Wonder Woman: Black and Gold", an anthology mini-series celebrating Wonder Woman's 80th anniversary.

October 2021: Joins WOW as Executive Producer

In October 2021, after six years away from wrestling, Mendez joined WOW – Women of Wrestling as an executive producer.

September 2022: Provides Color Commentary for WOW

Beginning in September 2022, Mendez provided color commentary for WOW's syndicated weekly television program.

2022: Screenplay for Blade of the 47 Ronin

In 2022, AJ Mendez, alongside John Swetman, co-wrote the screenplay for the Netflix film "Blade of the 47 Ronin".

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2022: Blade of the 47 Ronin Film Release

In 2022, the film Blade of the 47 Ronin, co-written by Mendez and Aimee Garcia, was released on Netflix.

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August 2023: Departure from WOW

In August 2023, Mendez said she would be departing WOW at the end of her season-long contract.

September 2025: Returns to WWE and Wins Women's Intercontinental Championship

In September 2025, AJ Lee returned to WWE after more than a decade, and won the Women's Intercontinental Championship once.

September 2025: Signs with WWE

In September 2025, April Jeanette Mendez signed with WWE and started performing on the Raw brand under the ring name AJ Lee.

September 2025: Returns to WWE and Attacks Becky Lynch

On the September 5 episode of SmackDown in 2025, AJ Lee returned to WWE after a decade of absence and attacked Becky Lynch to even the odds for her husband, CM Punk, in his feud with Seth Rollins.