AJ Lee Retires from WWE Due to Spinal Injury and Personal Pressures
Longtime WWE star AJ Lee (real name April Mendez) announced her retirement from in-ring competition in 2015, citing a combination of severe physical injury and personal strain as the main reasons behind her decision.
Underlying Reasons for Retirement
Spinal Injury
In her memoir, AJ Lee revealed she suffered permanent damage to her cervical spine, a serious condition that made it unsafe to continue wrestling. This injury ultimately compelled her to step away from the ring despite a successful career in WWE.
Personal and Professional Pressure
Beyond health concerns, AJ felt emotionally taxed by her position between WWE and her husband, CM Punk, particularly following his highly publicized exit from the company in early 2014. She expressed feeling “caught in the middle” during a time of conflict that deeply affected her decision to retire.
A Storied Career Before Retirement
AJ Lee burst onto the main roster after signing with WWE in 2009. Her character quickly became a fan favorite, and she went on to win the Divas Championship three times, tying the record, and held the title for a combined 406 days, another record. In addition, she served as Raw’s General Manager for several months and earned recognition such as the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year in 2012 and 2014, along with being voted Woman of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated from 2012 to 2014.
Legacy Beyond the Ring
Since retiring from competition, AJ has shifted her focus to writing and producing. Her 2017 memoir, Crazy Is My Superpower, became a New York Times Best Seller. She later ventured into screenwriting, partnering with actress Aimee Garcia to co-write comic books and the Netflix film Blade of the 47 Ronin.