History of AJ Lee in Timeline

April Jeanette Mendez, known as AJ Lee, is an American professional wrestler. As of September 2025, she is signed to WWE. She is also an author.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 19, 1987: April Jeanette Mendez Born

On March 19, 1987, April Jeanette Mendez, who would later be known as professional wrestler AJ Lee, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2005: Graduated from Memorial High School

In 2005, April Jeanette Mendez graduated from Memorial High School in West New York, New Jersey.

March 2007: Enrolled in Wrestling School

In March 2007, Mendez enrolled in a wrestling school and began training under Jay Lethal.

2007: Wrestling Career Began

In 2007, Mendez started her professional wrestling journey 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: WSU Tag Team Championship

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

May 2009: WWE Contract

In May 2009, WWE signed Mendez to a contract after she attended a tryout camp.

2009: Signed with WWE

In 2009, Mendez signed with WWE and was assigned to its developmental branch, Florida Championship Wrestling.

February 2010: Queen of FCW Title

In February 2010, AJ Lee won the Queen of FCW title by defeating Serena Mancini.

September 2010: NXT Season 3

In September 2010, AJ Lee took part in the third season of NXT.

April 2011: Lost the 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, forming a tag team with Kaitlyn called "The Chickbusters".

November 2011: On-screen Relationship with Daniel Bryan

By November 2011, AJ Lee was featured in an on-screen relationship with Daniel Bryan, who began portraying a villainous character.

January 13, 2012: Knocked Down by Big Show

On the January 13, 2012, episode of SmackDown, AJ Lee was accidentally knocked down by Big Show during Bryan's title defense.

2012: Rose to Prominence

In 2012, AJ Lee rose to prominence in WWE, with storylines revolving around her "mentally unstable" character, high-profile relationships, and a stint as the General Manager of Raw.

March 2013: Storyline Rivalry with Daniel Bryan Reignited

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 for the Divas Championship

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

August 2013: Began dating CM Punk

In August 2013, Mendez began dating fellow WWE wrestler Phillip Brooks, better known as CM Punk.

January 2014: Longest-Reigning Divas Champion

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

January 2014: Departure of CM Punk

In January 2014, CM Punk's controversial departure from WWE affected AJ, who felt caught in the middle, as discussed in her memoir.

June 13, 2014: Marriage to CM Punk

On June 13, 2014, Mendez married fellow WWE wrestler Phillip Brooks, known as CM Punk.

2014: Slammy Award for Diva of the Year

In 2014, AJ Lee won the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year and was voted Woman of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers.

February 2015: Criticized WWE Treatment of Female Wrestlers

In February 2015, Mendez criticized WWE's treatment of its female wrestlers regarding wages and screen time.

April 2015: Retired from in-ring performing

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

April 4, 2017: Memoir Published

On April 4, 2017, Mendez's memoir, "Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules", was published by Crown Archetype.

2017: Crazy Is My Superpower Memoir

In 2017, Mendez's memoir, "Crazy Is My Superpower", became a New York Times Best Seller.

2018: Awarded NAMI's Multicultural Outreach Award

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

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

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

2019: Portrayed in Fighting with My Family

AJ's WWE character was portrayed by Thea Trinidad in the 2019 biographical film Fighting with My Family, a movie about her rival, Paige.

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2019: Writing Partnership

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

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

In November 2020, Mendez and Aimee Garcia published the first issue of their four-issue limited series Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World through IDW.

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