AJ Lee
A defiant, punk-rock-inspired wrestler who broke the mold for women in WWE, championing a darker, more character-driven style in the Divas era.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American professional wrestler and author·Birthday: March 19·Millennials
Biography
AJ Lee, born April Mendez in New Jersey, carved her path from a difficult childhood marked by poverty and instability into the bright, chaotic world of WWE. She wasn't the typical glamorous starlet; she was small, tattooed, and radiated a manic, unpredictable energy. Debuting as a bubbly, obsessive fan character, she quickly evolved into the 'Black Widow,' a cunning and volatile manipulator who often held sway over the show's top male stars. Her in-ring style was a frantic, high-risk blend of technical skill and sheer recklessness. At a time when women's matches were often brief afterthoughts, Lee demanded attention through sheer force of personality and compelling storylines. Her passionate 'pipe bomb' promo in 2013 directly challenged the company's treatment of female talent, resonating deeply with fans and foreshadowing the 'Women's Revolution' to come. Her retirement in 2015, to focus on writing and mental health advocacy, felt abrupt, cementing her status as a cult hero who left at her peak.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
AJ was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When AJ Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
AJ's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- She is a three-time WWE Divas Champion, holding the title for a combined 406 days at one point.
- She won the 2012 Slammy Award for Diva of the Year, a fan-voted accolade.
- She authored the bestselling memoir 'Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules.'
- She main-evented multiple episodes of WWE Raw and SmackDown during her feud with the Bella Twins and Paige.
Did You Know?
She is married to fellow former WWE star CM Punk (Phil Brooks).
She dropped out of community college to pursue professional wrestling, training under Jay Lethal.
She has a black belt in Taekwondo.
She voiced a character in the animated film 'The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!'
“I am the woman who revolutionized women's wrestling, and you will never, ever take that away from me.”
