Career Timeline of AJ Lee: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

April Jeanette Mendez, known as AJ Lee, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE's Raw brand. As of February 2026, she holds the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship, marking her first reign. She is also an author.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 2007: Enrolls in Wrestling School

In March 2007, April Jeanette Mendez enrolled in a wrestling school close to her home, where she was trained by Jay Lethal.

2007: Professional Wrestling Career Begins

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

October 2008: Joins Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU)

In October 2008, Miss April (AJ Lee) joined the New Jersey-based promotion Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU).

February 2009: WSU Tag Team Championship

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

May 2009: Signed WWE Contract

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.

February 2010: Queen of FCW Title

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

September 2010: NXT Season 3

In September 2010, AJ Lee took part in the third season of NXT. Primo was assigned as her "WWE Pro", and she developed an on-screen friendship with Kaitlyn. She was eliminated in third place on November 23.

April 2011: Lost 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 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.

January 13, 2012: Knocked Down by Big Show

On January 13, 2012, 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: Rise to Prominence in WWE

In 2012, AJ Lee rose to prominence in WWE through storylines with her character portrayed as "mentally unstable", including high-profile relationships and a three-month stint as the General Manager of Raw. She also won the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year and was voted Woman of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

March 2013: Rivalry with Daniel Bryan Reignites

In March 2013, AJ's storyline rivalry with ex-boyfriend Daniel Bryan was reignited when they traded insults backstage.

April 22, 2013: Number One Contender

On April 22, 2013, AJ Lee 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 Lee became the longest-reigning Divas Champion at the time.

April 2015: Initial Retirement

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

2018: NAMI Multicultural Outreach Award

In 2018, Mendez was awarded the Multicultural Outreach Award by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for her advocacy for mental health awareness.

2019: Writing Partnership with Aimee Garcia

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

June 2021: Writing for Wonder Woman: Black and Gold

In June 2021, Mendez wrote a story in the first issue of DC Comics' Wonder Woman: Black and Gold, which was 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 the wrestling industry, Mendez joined the WOW – Women of Wrestling promotion as an executive producer.

September 2022: WOW Color Commentator

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

2022: Netflix Film Blade of the 47 Ronin

In 2022, Mendez and Aimee Garcia wrote the Netflix film Blade of the 47 Ronin.

Loading Video...

August 2023: Departure from WOW

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

September 2025: Returns to WWE

In September 2025, AJ Lee returned to WWE after initially retiring in April 2015.

September 2025: Returns to WWE and Attacks Becky Lynch

On the September 5 episode of SmackDown in September 2025, Mendez, again under the ring name AJ Lee, returned to WWE after a decade of absence, and attacked Becky Lynch.