What Happened to April Jeanette Mendez Brooks (AJ Lee)?
AJ Lee, born April Jeanette Mendez, is an American professional wrestler and author. After a highly successful career in WWE, where she became a three-time Divas Champion, she retired in 2015 to focus on writing and mental health advocacy. Mendez made a surprising return to WWE in September 2025 and, as of February 2026, is the reigning WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion.
Quick Answer
AJ Lee, whose real name is April Jeanette Mendez Brooks, retired from WWE in 2015 due to a neck injury and a sense of fulfillment in her wrestling career. Since then, she has become a New York Times bestselling author with her memoir "Crazy Is My Superpower" and a prominent mental health advocate. In a highly anticipated return, Mendez re-signed with WWE in September 2025 and, as of February 28, 2026, captured the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship, marking her first title in over a decade. She continues her work as a writer, with ongoing comic book and animation projects.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Born April Jeanette Mendez
April Jeanette Mendez, later known as AJ Lee, was born in Union City, New Jersey.
Signs with WWE
Mendez signed a contract with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).
Debuts on WWE Main Roster
After her time in FCW and NXT, AJ Lee was promoted to the main WWE roster.
Becomes Raw General Manager
AJ Lee rose to prominence through various storylines, including a three-month stint as the General Manager of Raw.
First WWE Divas Championship Win
Mendez won her first of three WWE Divas Championships, solidifying her position as a top female competitor.
Marries CM Punk
April Mendez married fellow WWE wrestler Phillip Brooks, better known as CM Punk.
Retires from WWE
WWE announced AJ Lee's retirement from in-ring competition, citing permanent damage to her cervical spine and the fulfillment of her career goals.
Publishes "Crazy Is My Superpower"
Her memoir, "Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules," became a New York Times Best Seller.
Co-founds Scrappy Heart Productions
Mendez and Aimee Garcia created Scrappy Heart Productions, a company dedicated to elevating diverse voices through storytelling.
Joins WOW – Women of Wrestling as Executive Producer
After six years away from the wrestling industry, Mendez joined WOW – Women of Wrestling as an executive producer and later provided color commentary.
Departs WOW – Women of Wrestling
Mendez announced her departure from WOW at the end of her season-long contract.
Returns to WWE on SmackDown
Mendez, under the ring name AJ Lee, returned to WWE after a decade of absence, attacking Becky Lynch.
First Return Match at Wrestlepalooza
AJ Lee and CM Punk defeated Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins in a mixed tag team match at WWE Wrestlepalooza.
Announces Writing Anime Movie for Toei Animation
AJ Lee confirmed she is writing a secret anime movie for Toei Animation, known for 'Dragon Ball Z' and 'Sailor Moon'.
Wins WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship
AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch at Elimination Chamber to win the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship, her first title in 11 years.
Appears on Raw as Women's Intercontinental Champion
AJ Lee returned to Raw as the new Women's Intercontinental Champion, promising to be a fighting champion.
Defends Women's Intercontinental Championship against Bayley (Reported)
Bayley challenged AJ Lee for the Women's Intercontinental Championship on 'this Monday's WWE Raw', connecting the past, present, and future of women's wrestling.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
April Jeanette Mendez, known professionally as AJ Lee, began her journey in professional wrestling on the independent circuit in 2007 before signing with WWE in 2009. After two years in developmental, she was promoted to the main roster, quickly rising to prominence with her unique 'mentally unstable' character and engaging storylines. She became a trailblazer for women's wrestling, winning the Divas Championship a record-tying three times and holding the title for an impressive 295 days. Mendez also earned the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year in 2012 and 2014, and was voted Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Woman of the Year from 2012 to 2014.
Her initial retirement from in-ring competition came in April 2015, citing permanent damage to her cervical spine and a feeling of having achieved all her goals in professional wrestling. This departure allowed her to pivot to a successful career as an author and mental health advocate. Her 2017 memoir, "Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules," became a New York Times Best Seller, where she candidly discussed her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder and her advocacy for mental health awareness. Mendez also formed a writing partnership with actress Aimee Garcia in 2019, co-writing comic book series like "GLOW vs. The Babyface" and a "Dungeons & Dragons" limited series, and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2022 Netflix film "Blade of the 47 Ronin". In October 2021, she returned to the wrestling industry in a non-wrestling role, joining WOW – Women of Wrestling as an executive producer and color commentator, a position she departed from in August 2023.
Speculation about her return to WWE intensified following her husband CM Punk's return in November 2023. Mendez officially made her highly anticipated return to WWE on September 5, 2025, on SmackDown, attacking Becky Lynch as part of a storyline involving her husband. Her first match back was a mixed tag team match at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, 2025, where she and CM Punk defeated Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. The comeback culminated in a significant victory at Elimination Chamber on February 28, 2026, where she defeated Becky Lynch to win the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship, her first singles title in over a decade.
As of March 17, 2026, AJ Lee is an active WWE Superstar and the reigning Women's Intercontinental Champion, having defended the title on Raw on March 2, 2026. She is also reportedly scheduled to face Bayley for the Women's Intercontinental Championship on the March 16, 2026, episode of Raw. Beyond wrestling, Mendez continues her prolific writing career, including working on a secret anime movie for Toei Animation (announced November 2025) and developing a supernatural horror series called "Dead Girl". Her return to WWE has been met with excitement, with fans eager to see what she will do next in this new chapter of her career.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if April Jeanette Mendez Brooks (AJ Lee) made different choices?