A.J. Mendez – better known to wrestling fans as A.J. Lee – made a lasting impression during her run in WWE in the early 2010s. With her signature Chuck Taylor sneakers, quirky charm, and the infamous “crazy chick” persona, she set herself apart at a time when most female wrestlers were still expected to prioritize glamour over grit. Standing just 5’2″, Mendez defied stereotypes and became one of the most memorable Divas Champions, holding the title for what was then a record 295 days.
But the story behind the character is even more remarkable. Growing up, Mendez faced serious challenges – her family struggled with homelessness and she spent part of her childhood in motels. Wrestling and video games became her escape, and those experiences shaped both her personal life and her work. Mendez later shared these struggles with candor in her New York Times bestselling memoir, “Crazy Is My Superpower,” opening up about her bipolar disorder diagnosis and her advocacy for mental health awareness.
Life after WWE has been anything but quiet for Mendez. Since retiring from the ring in 2015, she’s worn many hats: author, mental health advocate, comic book writer for Marvel, and executive producer. She co-founded the WOW – Women of Wrestling – promotion, staying connected to the sport in new and creative ways. Even with so many irons in the fire, she’s managed to keep her private life just that – private.
Unlike many celebrities who offer a running commentary on social media, Mendez is careful about what she shares. She posts infrequently and speaks rarely about her personal relationships.
Her most enduring relationship has been with fellow wrestler CM Punk (Phil Brooks). The pair met working in WWE and quietly began dating in 2013. They married in June 2014, in a low-key ceremony that suited their desire for privacy – the news only emerged after the fact. Through career transitions, public scrutiny, and everything in between, Mendez and Punk have continued to support each other, sharing their lives with a brood of rescue dogs rather than in the public eye. While Punk made headlines with his return to wrestling in 2021, Mendez has kept carving out her unique path beyond the ring.
Before marrying Punk, Mendez dated wrestler Trent Baretta (Greg Marasciulo) until around 2012. Other rumored relationships – like those involving John Cena, Daniel Bryan, or Dolph Ziggler – were mostly just storylines for WWE television, rather than real romances.
As for her approach to privacy, Mendez summed it up in a 2017 interview promoting her memoir: “I’ve always been drawn to people who understand this crazy business and the sacrifices it requires. That understanding matters more than anything.” She echoed the sentiment while speaking at a comic convention, telling the crowd, “Some things are just for me.” In today’s world of constant oversharing, her choice to keep some parts of her life off-limits is all the more refreshing.
Past Relationships
CM Punk
John Cena
Bryan Danielson
Greg Marasciulo
Jamar Shipman
Whether as a wrestler, writer, or advocate, A.J. Mendez continues to inspire – not just for what she shares with the world, but also for what she chooses to keep for herself.