AJ Lee

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

AJ Lee is the ring name of April Jeanette Mendez, an American professional wrestler best known for her three WWE Divas Championship reigns. She played a role in the transition toward a more prominent women's wrestling era in WWE.

What it is

AJ Lee is the professional wrestling persona of April Jeanette Mendez, born March 19, 1987, in Union City, New Jersey. She signed with WWE in 2009, debuted on NXT, and became a main-roster performer known for her high-energy, lucha-inspired style and signature Black Widow submission hold.

Why it matters

AJ Lee is credited with helping elevate the women's division in WWE during the early 2010s, holding the Divas Championship three times. Her popularity and in-ring work contributed to the broader shift toward more athletic and respected women's wrestling, a development widely followed by Canadian audiences.

Key details

She retired from in-ring wrestling in 2015 after WrestleMania 31, but later returned to WWE in 2025 and reportedly won the Women's Intercontinental Championship in 2026. Beyond wrestling, she has worked as an author and television personality.