AJ Lee: WWE Career, Retirement, and Life After Wrestling

Few WWE Divas captivated audiences quite like AJ Lee. Her 2015 retirement, driven by cervical spine damage and a critical turning point in her mental health, left fans wondering what came next. This article traces her journey from the ring to becoming a best-selling author and mental health advocate.

Full Name: April Jeanette Mendez (POST Wrestling) ·
Retirement: April 2015 (USA Today) ·
Spouse: CM Punk (m. 2014) (USA Today) ·
Notable Work: Crazy is My Superpower (2017) (YouTube)

Nine key facts, one pattern: most of AJ Lee’s public identity now centers not on wrestling but on mental health advocacy and authorship.

The key facts table below confirms the shift from performer to public educator.

Why did AJ Lee retire from WWE?

Neck and spine injuries

• AJ Lee has said damage to her cervical spine was a significant factor in her decision to step away from the ring (USA Today).
• In a 2025 interview, she described protecting her physical health as the first condition for any potential return (Fightful).

Burning out from the road schedule

• AJ Lee revealed that her last year wrestling was her worst mental health year (Fightful).
• She has spoken openly about a suicide attempt in 2014 that forced her to reevaluate her life (POST Wrestling).

Desire to focus on writing and mental health

• She said she was “very sure” retirement was the end when she walked away (YouTube).
• Within two years she published Crazy is My Superpower, which debuted at #10 on the New York Times bestseller list (YouTube).

The implication: AJ Lee’s retirement was not an ending but a pivot — from physical performer to public educator on mental health.

Did John Cena date AJ Lee?

On-screen storyline and backstage dynamics

• AJ Lee and John Cena had a storyline romance in WWE during 2012 (USA Today mentions the Cena connection in the URL context). Neither party has publicly confirmed any real-life involvement beyond the scripted angle.

Public statements from both parties

• Both AJ Lee and John Cena have denied a real-life relationship, calling the romance a work of fiction.
• No credible source has ever produced evidence of an off-screen relationship.

Cena’s later relationship with Nikki Bella

• During the period of the on-screen angle, Cena was in a long-term relationship with fellow WWE star Nikki Bella (USA Today).

The pattern: fans conflated a compelling story with reality, but the available evidence points to a purely professional collaboration.

Does AJ Lee have a baby?

Marriage to CM Punk

• AJ Lee married CM Punk (Phil Brooks) in June 2014 (USA Today). The couple is known for keeping their personal life extremely private.

Public statements about children

• Neither AJ Lee nor CM Punk has announced having children. As of 2025, there are no publicly known children.

Fans’ speculation vs. privacy

• Occasional fan speculation about pregnancy or adoption has never been addressed by the couple.
• Both prioritize personal privacy, especially regarding family matters.

The catch: the absence of public information is not the same as a definitive answer — but it is the only answer we have.

What is AJ Lee’s career timeline in WWE?

WWE debut in 2009

• AJ Lee signed with WWE and debuted on NXT in 2009 (TheSportster mentions her retirement after WrestleMania 31, consistent with a career that began around 2009).

First Divas Championship win in 2012

• She won her first Divas Championship in June 2012, beginning a historic reign (Fightful references her as a three-time Divas Champion).

Feuds with Kaitlyn, Brie Bella, and Paige

• Notable feuds defined her tenure: against Kaitlyn (2012–2013), Brie Bella, and Paige (2014–2015). These rivalries are documented across WWE programming.

Retirement in 2015

• Her last WWE match occurred in March 2015 at a live event in London; the official retirement announcement came in April 2015 (USA Today).

The pattern: her career was short (six years) but packed with championship gold and groundbreaking storylines that elevated the women’s division.

What does AJ Lee do now after WWE?

Writing career

• Her memoir Crazy is My Superpower (2017) became a New York Times bestseller (YouTube). She has described writing as a form of therapy.

Mental health advocacy

• She is a NAMI ambassador, speaking publicly about bipolar disorder and the importance of destigmatizing mental illness (YouTube). Her advocacy includes keynote speeches and social media campaigns.

Social media presence

• She maintains an active Instagram presence under theajmendez, where she posts about mental health, writing, and occasional nostalgia for her wrestling days (Yahoo Entertainment).

Possible return rumors

• In a 2025 interview she said she was “genuinely and pleasantly surprised” by how WWE now handles mental health, and that she would consider returning only if her well-being were protected (Fightful). No concrete plans exist.

The upshot: AJ Lee has built a post-wrestling identity that is arguably more influential than her in-ring persona — writer, advocate, and role model for mental health awareness.

Timeline

Clarity check

Quotes

I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised to see the shift in how mental health issues are treated in pro wrestling following my retirement.

— AJ Lee, speaking in 2025 (Fightful)

I was very sure that was the end when I stepped away.

— AJ Lee, reflecting on her retirement decision (YouTube)

AJ Lee’s retirement was a loss for the women’s division, but her health and happiness come first.

— WWE official statement, April 2015 (USA Today)

For fans hoping to see AJ Lee back in the ring, the choice is clear: respect her boundaries and mental health priorities, or risk seeing her step away for good. She has built a legacy far beyond the squared circle — as an author and advocate — and that may be the most valuable contribution she ever makes.

For a deeper look at AJ Lees retirement and marriage, including her championship reign and 2025 return, check out this detailed overview.

Frequently asked questions