History Wrestling / AJLee

* NiceShoes: Throughout her diva wrestling career, she was known for wearing knee-high Converse Chuck Taylors when competing; whenever she wasn't wrestling in the ring, she would usually wear a pair of regular hightops or occasional non-hightop versions.

---->'''Kane:''' I'm a monster. I wear a mask. [[BloodKnight My only source of pleasure is eviscerating people]]. And even I find you... [[UpToEleven mentally unstable]].

* IHaveTheHighGround: Has a high flying move set.

->''"I'm a monster. I wear a mask. My only source of pleasure is eviscerating people... [[EvenEvilHasStandards and even I]] [[HorrifyingTheHorror find you mentally unstable]]."''

April Jeanette Mendez (born March 19, 1987) is an American writer, former professional wrestler, and current executive producer of the Women of Wrestling (WOW) promotion. She is best known for her time in Wrestling/{{WWE}}, where she went by the ring name AJ Lee[[note]]the surname was derived from Wendee Lee, a voice actress for her favorite anime, ''Anime/CowboyBebop''[[/note]].

After spending the end of 2014 and the start of 2015 healing from a neck injury, AJ made news in February of the latter year for openly criticizing WWE's treatment of its female wrestlers, stating that they received significantly less pay and screentime than male wrestlers even with record-selling merch and top-rated segments. This led to the viral hashtag #[=GiveDivasAChance=] and direct acknowledgement from both Wrestling/{{Vince|McMahon}} and Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon.
AJ returned in March 2015, eventually allying with Paige against the Wrestling/BellaTwins and defeating them at ''Wrestling/WrestleMania'' 31. Shortly after on April 3, the official WWE Twitter account announced AJ's retirement from in-ring performance.

After spending the end of 2014 and the start of 2015 healing from a neck injury, AJ made news in February 2015 for openly criticizing WWE's treatment of its female wrestlers, stating that they received significantly less pay and screentime than male wrestlers even with record-selling merch and top-rated segments. This led to the viral hashtag #[=GiveDivasAChance=] and direct acknowledgement from both Wrestling/{{Vince|McMahon}} and Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon.

April Jeanette Mendez (born March 19, 1987) is an American author, former professional wrestler, and current executive producer of the Women of Wrestling (WOW) promotion. She is best known for her time in Wrestling/{{WWE}}, where she went by the ring name AJ Lee[[note]]the surname was derived from Wendee Lee, a voice actress for her favorite anime, ''Anime/CowboyBebop''[[/note]].

April Jeanette Mendez (born March 19, 1987) is a former American professional wrestler, trained by Mo Sexton, Azrieal and Wrestling/JayLethal. She was best know for her time in Wrestling/{{WWE}}, where she went by the ring name AJ Lee[[note]]the surname was derived from Wendee Lee, a voice actress for her favorite anime, ''Anime/CowboyBebop''[[/note]].

Mendez enrolled in a wrestling school in March 2007, where she trained for six months before her first official match. In the following years, she performed for several Northeast-based independent promotions including [[Wrestling/{{WSU}} Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU)]] as Miss April. In WSU, she was part of the AC Express alongside Brooke Carter and the duo held the WSU Tag Team Titles once.

In May 2009, she signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), WWE's developmental promotion, using the ring name [=AJ=] Lee. In FCW, she was Queen of FCW and FCW Divas Champion, and was the first person to have held both titles. In 2010, she was part of the [[Wrestling/{{NXT 3}} third season of]] ''[[Wrestling/{{WWENXT}} NXT]]'', having dropped her last name. She became part of WWE's ''[[Wrestling/WWESmackDown SmackDown]]'' brand in May 2011, forming a TagTeam with Wrestling/{{Kaitlyn}} known as The Wrestling/{{ChickBusters}}.

A self-professed nerd and tomboy, WWE adapted Mendez's love of comics and video games to her on-screen character, endorsing her as different from the typical women in the WWE and promoting her as the "Geek Goddess". She became justly famous among wrestling buffs for defying the usual stereotypes of how WWE's Divas are supposed to behave. She was named the "Diva of the Year" in the annual Slammy Awards twice (2012 and 2014).

Throughout most of 2012, while still a face, AJ portrayed a mentally unstable female character - the likes of which had not been seen in WWE since Wrestling/MickieJames in 2006. She also has served as the {{Kayfabe}} General Manager of ''[[Wrestling/WWERaw Monday Night RAW]]''.

She became Divas Champion in June 2013, and lost the title to Wrestling/{{Paige}} in April 2014, leaving her as the longest-reigning Divas Champion in history at 295 days. [[http://pwinsider.com/article/85042/aj-leewwe-update-sting-on-wwe-network-more-warrior-material-filmed-batista-and-more.html After a three month break]], she returned on June 30, 2014 and recaptured the Divas title by defeating Paige. Since then, she lost it to Paige at ''Wrestling/SummerSlam'', regained it at ''Night of Champions'', and lost it to [[Wrestling/BellaTwins Nikki Bella]] at ''Wrestling/SurvivorSeries'', making her a three-time champion.

On April 4, 2015, the official WWE Twitter account announced AJ's retirement from in-ring performance.

Post-WWE, she dabbled in acting, appearing in a bizarre short film advertisement for ''[[VideoGame/MaddenNFL Madden]] NFL 2016'' titled ''Madden: The Movie''. She was also portrayed by wrestler/actress Wrestling/TheaTrinidad in the film ''Film/FightingWithMyFamily'', a BioPic of Wrestling/{{Paige}}.

Currently, AJ is most known as an advocate for mental health awareness and animal welfare, as well as an accomplished writer. She released a memoir in 2017 titled ''Crazy Is My Superpower'' that went on to become a ''New York Times'' bestseller; the book covers her life from her turbulent youth to her time in WWE, shedding light on topics including her specific reasons for leaving WWE[[note]]permanent damage to her cervical spine and feeling that she had fulfilled all of her goals in the company[[/note]] and her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder. She also found a writing partner in actress Creator/AimeeGarcia, with whom she has written two comic series based on ''Series/GLOW2017'' and ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', started a production company titled Scrappy Heart Productions, and was selected to co-write an upcoming sequel to ''Film/FortySevenRonin''. On her own, she has also written a ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' comic and made the Black List's inaugural Latinx TV List with one of her scripts.

After six years away from the wrestling industry, AJ joined the Women of Wrestling (WOW) promotion as an executive producer in October 2021, and will also provide color commentary for them beginning in late 2022. That same month, she further revealed in an interview that she has "physically, mentally [and] emotionally" healed from her time in wrestling, and theoretically could return to the ring. However, she also stated that she is in no rush to do so, as she is comfortable with having the next generation of wrestlers take the reins.

A self-professed nerd and tomboy, WWE adapted Mendez's love of comics and video games to her on-screen character, endorsing her as different from the typical women in the WWE and promoting her as the "Geek Goddess". She became justly famous among wrestling buffs for [[SomethingCompletelyDifferent defying the usual stereotypes of how WWE's Divas are supposed to behave]]. She was named the "Diva of the Year" in the annual Slammy Awards twice (2012 and 2014).

* HollywoodNerd

* WhoWearsShortShorts: A consistent part of her wrestling attire during the majority of her WWE tenure.

* {{Meganekko}}: She has been known to exploit this, especially during her time as GM.

* {{Expy}}:
** Of Wrestling/{{Lita}}. Maybe not intentionally, but there are quite a few commonalities between the two, at least in-character. Both were presented as something of an unorthodox tomboy within the Divas division soon after appearing. Both became known for being the [[SickeninglySweethearts very publicly affectionate]] on-screen girlfriend of the Money in the Bank [[Wrestling/DolphZiggler briefcase]] [[Wrestling/{{Edge}} holder]] - and were even happily present when their boyfriend cashed it in and became champion to a standing ovation despite being a heel. Both were also involved in brief storyline romances with Wrestling/{{Kane}} and another individual beforehand. She is also known to favor high-flying maneuvers as an in-ring competitor. They both favor long pants or jeans and shirts that BareYourMidriff. Both are partly Hispanic/Latina. And finally, both of their real names start with 'A' (April in AJ's case, and Amy for Lita).
** The fact that AJ is a massive Lita fan, has been seen on camera meeting Lita with tears in her eyes before starting her career, and has addressed the Edge & Lita comparisons in a WWE.com article, only adds to this.
** Psycho!AJ was also extremely similar to Psycho!Mickie James from circa 2005. They both were obsessively dedicated to their love interests, both got rejected, and both retaliated erratically - Mickie took the Women's Title from Trish Stratus at ''[=WrestleMania=]'', while AJ enacted a convoluted marriage plot to get her revenge on Daniel Bryan for dumping her, stringing him along, along with two of his rivals, then-current WWE Champion Wrestling/CMPunk and future tag team partner Wrestling/{{Kane}}, for ''months''. The only real difference is how they reacted and the lesbian overtones of Mickie's storyline—whereas AJ saved the [[HoYay Les Yay]] for ''under''tones in a feud with someone whose [[Wrestling/ChickBusters friendship]] ''she'' rebuffed during her descent to insanity.
** When it comes to pop-cultural figures outside of wrestling, AJ bears more than a passing resemblance to 1970s actress Talia Shire, best known as Adrian in the ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'' films, and also Michael Corleone's sister in ''Film/TheGodfather''. Her mousy, "ethnic" looks also tend to remind one of Creator/SarahSilverman.
** She's also an AmbiguouslyBrown CuteAndPsycho who's shown resentment/jealousy for her super-athletic blonde former best friend and is developing an AnimalMotif with spiders. [[Wrestling/LisaMarieVaron Haven't we seen this before?]]

Currently, AJ is most known as an advocate for mental health awareness and animal welfare, as well as an accomplished writer. She released a memoir in 2017 titled ''Crazy Is My Superpower'' that went on to become a ''New York Times'' bestseller; the book covers her life from her turbulent youth to her time in WWE, shedding light on topics including her specific reasons for leaving WWE[[note]]permanent damage to her cervical spine and feeling that she had fulfilled all of her goals in the company[[/note]] and her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder. She also found a writing partner in actress Creator/AimeeGarcia, with whom she has written two comic series based on ''Series/GLOW2017'' and ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', started a production company titled Scrappy Heart Productions, and been selected to write an upcoming sequel to ''Film/FortySevenRonin''. On her own, she has also written a ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' comic and made the Black List's inaugural Latinx TV List with one of her scripts.

Currently, AJ is most known as an advocate (for mental health awareness and animal welfare) and accomplished writer. She released a memoir in 2017 titled ''Crazy Is My Superpower'' that went on to become a ''New York Times'' bestseller; the book covers her life from her turbulent youth to her time in WWE, shedding light on topics including her specific reasons for leaving WWE[[note]]permanent damage to her cervical spine and feeling that she had fulfilled all of her goals in the company[[/note]] and her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder. She also found a writing partner in actress Creator/AimeeGarcia, with whom she has written two comic series based on ''Series/GLOW2017'' and ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', started a production company titled Scrappy Heart Productions, and been selected to write an upcoming sequel to ''Film/FortySevenRonin''. On her own, she has also written a ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' comic and made the Black List's inaugural Latinx TV List with one of her scripts.

-->-- '''Wrestling/{{Kane}}''', to AJ Lee, ''Wrestling/{{WWERAW}}'', June 25, 2012.

After six years away from the wrestling industry, AJ joined Wrestling/{{WOW}} as an executive producer in October 2021, and will also provide color commentary for them beginning in late 2022. That same month, she further revealed in an interview that she has "physically, mentally [and] emotionally" healed from her time in wrestling, and theoretically could return to the ring. However, she also stated that she is in no rush to do so, as she is comfortable with having the next generation of wrestlers take the reins.

In October 2021, she revealed in an interview that she has "physically, mentally [and] emotionally" healed from her time in wrestling, and theoretically could return to the ring. However, she also stated that she is in no rush to do so, as she is comfortable with having the next generation of wrestlers take the reins.

In October 2021, she revealed in an interview that she has "physically, mentally [and] emotionally" healed from her wrestling-related injuries, and theoretically could return to the ring. However, she has stated she is in no rush to do so, and is comfortable with having the next generation of wrestlers take the reins.

Currently, AJ is most known as an advocate (for mental health awareness and animal welfare) and accomplished writer. She released a memoir in 2017 titled ''Crazy Is My Superpower'' that went on to become a ''New York Times'' bestseller; the book covers her life from her turbulent youth to her time in WWE, shedding light on topics including her specific reasons for leaving WWE[[note]]permanent damage to her cervical spine and feeling that she had fulfilled all of her goals in the company[[/note]] and her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder. She also found a writing partner in actress Creator/AimeeGarcia, with whom she has written two comic series based on ''Series/GLOW2017'' and ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', started a production company titled Scrappy Heart Productions, and been selected to write an upcoming sequel to ''Film/FortySevenRonin''. On her own, she has also co-written a ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' comic and made the Black List's inaugural Latinx TV List with one of her scripts.

Currently, AJ is most known as an advocate (for mental health awareness and animal welfare) and accomplished writer. She released a memoir in 2017 titled ''Crazy Is My Superpower'' that went on to become a ''New York Times'' bestseller; the book covers her life from her turbulent youth to her time in WWE, shedding light on topics including her specific reasons for leaving WWE[[note]]permanent damage to her cervical spine and feeling that she had fulfilled all her goals in the company[[/note]] and her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder. She also found a collaborative partner in actress Creator/AimeeGarcia, with whom she has written two comic series based on ''Series/GLOW2017'' and ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', started a production company titled Scrappy Heart Productions, and been selected to write an upcoming sequel to ''Film/FortySevenRonin''. On her own, she has also co-written a ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' comic and made the Black List's inaugural Latinx TV List with one of her scripts.

April Jeanette Brooks[[note]]AJ married Wrestling/CMPunk in real life in June 2014[[/note]] (née Mendez; born March 19, 1987) is a former American professional wrestler, trained by Mo Sexton, Azrieal and Wrestling/JayLethal. She was best know for her time in Wrestling/{{WWE}}, where she went by the ring name AJ Lee.

On April 4, 2015, the official WWE Twitter account announced her retirement from in-ring performance. Post WWE, she's apparently doing some dabbling in acting, appearing in the short film ''[[VideoGame/MaddenNFL Madden]]: The Movie'', a bizarre advertisement for ''Madden NFL 2016''. She was also portrayed by wrestler/actress Wrestling/TheaTrinidad in the film ''Film/FightingWithMyFamily'', a BioPic of Wrestling/{{Paige}}.

April Jeanette Brooks[[note]]AJ married Wrestling/CMPunk in real life in June 2014[[/note]] (née Mendez; born March 19, 1987) is a former American professional wrestler, trained by Mo Sexton, Azrieal and Wrestling/JayLethal. She was best know for her time in Wrestling/{{WWE}}, where she went by the ring name '''A.J. Lee.'''

A self-professed nerd and tomboy, WWE adapted Mendez's love of comics and video games to her on-screen character, endorsing her as different from the typical women in the WWE and promoting her as the "Geek Goddess". She was named the "Diva of the Year" in the annual Slammy Awards twice (2012 and 2014).

She has become justly famous among wrestling buffs for [[SomethingCompletelyDifferent defying the usual stereotypes of how WWE's Divas are supposed to behave]]. Throughout most of 2012, while still a face, AJ portrayed a mentally unstable female character - the likes of which had not been seen in WWE since Wrestling/MickieJames in 2006. She also has served as the {{Kayfabe}} General Manager of ''[[Wrestling/WWERaw Monday Night RAW]]''.

->''"I'm a monster. I wear a mask. My only source of pleasure is eviscerating people... [[EvenEvilHasStandards and even I]] [[HorrifyingTheHorror find you mentally unstable.]]"''

* LaughingMad: Descended into this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEKcf24UYKs here]], after nearly being carried off by Kane and then watching Kane lay out both her ex, Daniel Bryan, and her crush/stalking victim, CM Punk. Also when Kane decided that she was [[EvenEvilHasStandards ''too crazy for him'']] and told her they wouldn't work out.

* AmbiguouslyBrown: Part Puerto Rican, but she looks like she could be from quite a few places.

%% GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you're reading this in the future, please check the trope description to make sure your example matches the current criteria.

* AllWomenLoveShoes: As evidenced by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn5fR3Iyixo this clip]]. Unlike most ladies of this trope, though, she's a sneaker girl.

%% GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2020. If you're reading this in the future, please check the trope description to make sure your example matches the current criteria.

* {{Hypocrite}}: See GettingCrapPastTheRadar above. She rose to prominence in WWE by manipulating three men at once. Given that she's the heel, it's probably intentional.

** Really invoked during her pipebombshell promo to the ''Total Divas'' cast. Especially the line about no matter how many designer shoes they owned and how many red carpets they strolled up, they weren't "fit to lace up my Chuck Taylors". See GettingCrapPastTheRadar above.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: From her [[http://www.cagematch.net/?id=93&nr=1015 promo]] on the August 26, 2013 ''RAW,'' running down the Divas (Wrestling/{{Natalya|Neidhart}}, Wrestling/TheFunkadactyls, the Wrestling/BellaTwins) who appear on Creator/{{E}}'s ''Series/TotalDivas'' show:
-->"I didn't get here because I was cute, or because I came from some famous wrestling family, or because I ''sucked''... up to the right people."
** She calls Wrestling/{{Paige}} a "tart" when doing commentary for Paige's match against Brie Bella on the September 5, 2014 ''Wrestling/SmackDown!'', when "tart" as a slang term applied to women is slur that basically means "[[SlutShaming skank]]." It probably got by the censors because AJ was also using cutesy food-related nicknames for Paige like "my little crumpet" and "my little English muffin" to make it look like she meant "tart" as in the food.
*** She actually pulled off a subtle triple play there, since in British slang (remember, Paige is English) [[http://www.definition-of.com/a%20bit%20of%20crumpet "a bit of crumpet"]] is a woman treated as a sex object or is a slang term for sex, with the term itself based in [[http://www.definition-of.com/muffin "muffin"]] being used as slang for female genitalia. So basically ''all'' her "cutesy food-related nicknames" were her [[SlutShaming calling Paige a skank]].