AJ Lee Quotes

Early Life and Career

Inspirations and Upbringing

Laila Amrise Anoa’i, better known by her ring name AJ Lee, was born on March 9, 1987, in Clements, California.

She is a member of the renowned Anoa’i wrestling family and comes from a long line of professional wrestlers.

**Early Life:**

1. Lee’s maternal grandmother was an Tongan Samoan woman named Josephine Lemaialofa.
2. Herself is a fourth-generation wrestler and has a close relationship with her cousins Rhea Ripley, Naomi, and Charlotte Flair.

**Inspirations:**

Lee’s inspirations include wrestling legends like Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero.

**Upbringing:**

1. She has spoken about her difficult childhood in various interviews.
2. Her parents were alcoholics, which led to domestic violence issues in the home.
3. This challenging environment had an impact on Lee’s early life and upbringing.

The Anoa’i family would often travel from wrestling promotion to promotion when AJ was young, which further disrupted her life.

Growing up in a family of athletes, AJ Lee credits her father’s passion for sports as an influence on her life

AJ Lee, whose real name is **AJ Mendez**, was born on March 9, 1987, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her father, Richard Mendez, was a high school football coach and a passionate sports enthusiast.

Growing up in a family of athletes had a profound influence on AJ Lee’s life. She has credited her father’s passion for sports as one of the primary reasons she developed an interest in athletics at a young age.

As a child, AJ Lee was exposed to various sports disciplines through her family members, including her father and older sister. Her father coached high school football, while her sister was involved in lacrosse. This exposure encouraged AJ to explore different sports, leading her to discover a natural talent for gymnastics.

AJ Lee began taking gymnastics classes when she was just six years old. She quickly found herself drawn to the sport’s combination of strength, flexibility, and discipline, which aligned with her father’s emphasis on hard work and dedication.

As she progressed through various levels of competition, AJ Lee faced numerous challenges, including bones breaks and other injuries that tested her resilience and determination. Despite these setbacks, she persisted, fueled by her father’s unwavering support and encouragement.

The influence of her family on AJ Lee’s life extends beyond sports. Her parents’ relationship with each other also had a significant impact on their children, teaching them the importance of communication, teamwork, and mutual respect.

In an interview, AJ Lee reflected on how her father’s passion for sports influenced her decision to pursue a career in professional wrestling. She noted that growing up in a family where sports were valued and encouraged helped her develop the necessary skills, discipline, and confidence to succeed in the highly competitive world of professional wrestling.

AJ Lee’s early interest in wrestling began when she watched WWE events with her father

AJ Lee was born on March 9, 1987, as Ajarae Michelle Cunningham in nearby Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

The youngest of four children to Michael and Linda Cunningham, her father was an avid wrestling fan who exposed her to the world of professional wrestling at a very young age.

She began watching WWE events with her father, which sparked her interest in the industry.

Lee’s early career began in 2007 when she signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), but was released from the company just nine months later due to being “too small and too young” for their developmental territory at that time.

She went on to work as a ring announcer and referee for various independent wrestling promotions, including Chikara, where she met her future husband Phil Leonardo (now known as CM Punk).

Lee returned to the WWE in 2010 after re-signing with the company.

She worked as a model and a dancer before making her in-ring debut in 2012 under the ring name AJ Lee.

She eventually made it into the main roster and formed an alliance known as “The BFFs” (Best Friends Forever) with Kaitlyn, later switching to “Team PCB” with Paige and Becky Lynch, which ultimately led to her first championship reign at Payback in 2014.

Lee was initially portrayed as a tomboyish and eccentric character.

As she gained popularity and success within the company, she began to develop the AJ Lee persona, characterized by her quirky humor, love of video games, and overall anti-establishment tone.

In 2015, Lee retired from wrestling after being pregnant with her first child due to complications from pregnancy.

She gave birth in December 2017 and has since appeared on various WWE television shows, promoting her new status as a mother and showcasing her ongoing involvement in the company.

**Notable Championships**

* **WWE Divas Championship (2 times)**
+ Won on February 23, 2014
+ Won again on April 6, 2014

* **NXT Women’s Championship (1 time)**
+ Won on June 13, 2013

She was initially inspired by wrestlers like Trish Stratus and Jacqueline

Aj Lee was born as April Jeanette Mendez on March 9, 1987, in Clementon, New Jersey.

She began her professional wrestling career in 2006 after being discovered by WWE talent scout Jim Smallman at the “Monster Factory” independent wrestling school.

Mendez initially wrestled under the ring name AJ Lee, and she trained with various wrestlers including Tom Mopps and Tony Nese.

Her early in-ring style was heavily influenced by her idols Jacqueline and Trish Stratus, both of whom were female wrestlers competing in WWE at that time.

Mendez also worked as a ring announcer for the Philadelphia-based independent promotion, All-Star Wrestling (ASW).

In 2007, she began working for various other promotions including New Era Wrestling, All Pro Wrestling, and Jersey All-Pro Wrestling.

Throughout 2008 to 2009, Mendez competed in several wrestling matches under her own name as well as the ring names Lexie Fyfe and April Lee.

In May 2010, Mendez signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after she began working for their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).

Education and Early Beginnings

Aj Lee’s early life and career began with her being raised by her father, Michael Watson, and her mother, Judy Watson. The family moved to Minnesota when Aj was a child due to her father’s work as a civil servant. Her parents divorced in 1993.

Lee developed an interest in dance at an early age. She joined the North Hennepin Community College dance team and won several national titles with them. After her family moved to Minnesota, she attended Tonka High School where she was part of the school’s dance team, which won multiple state championships.

Lee also developed a passion for reading at an early age, particularly in the fantasy genre. She attributes her love for reading to her mother who read to her regularly when she was younger.

After high school, Aj attended Mankato State University where she studied psychology. However, she soon dropped out due to financial constraints and a desire to pursue a career in dance.

Lee’s early career in wrestling began with working as a valet for the tag team, The Boogeywoogies. Her in-ring debut took place on July 17, 2007, in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

Education and Early Beginnings:

Lee attended Mankato State University but dropped out to pursue a career in dance. She later moved back to the United States after spending two years abroad.

Aj’s interest in wrestling led her to begin training at an indie promotion, Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW), which is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Training and Early Matches:

• Lee trained under the tutelage of wrestlers such as Ian Knoxx and Josh Prohibition
• She made her AIW debut on August 23, 2008, under a mask, wrestling against her training partner, Daffney
• Aj went on to compete in various indie promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), Full Impact Pro (FIP) and AAW: Professional Wrestling Redefined.

Development and Signing with WWE:

Lee’s strong performances at independent wrestling events caught the attention of WWE, leading to her signing a developmental contract with the company in 2009.

Aj began training at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where she worked under the name “Dakota” and feuded with various other female wrestlers.

Quotes from AJ Lee’s Career:

‘If you’re not good enough to be a star, don’t give up because there’s always someone who believes in you.’

‘Talent can only get you so far. Hard work and dedication will take you the rest of the way.’

AJ Lee attended Illinois State University, where she earned a degree in journalism

AJ Lee’s early life and career are marked by a passion for writing and language. She attended **Illinois State University**, where she earned a degree in journalism with a focus on language English.

During her time at Illinois State, AJ Lee developed a strong foundation in writing, editing, and communication. Her academic pursuits laid the groundwork for her future career as a professional writer and performer.

AJ Lee’s interest in language and writing led her to explore various creative outlets beyond traditional journalism. She began writing poetry and short stories, which would eventually become an integral part of her identity as AJ Lee, the wrestler and actress.

After completing her studies at Illinois State University, AJ Lee went on to pursue a career in professional wrestling. Her unique blend of athleticism, charisma, and creativity quickly made her stand out in the industry.

AJ Lee’s rise to fame was marked by her tenure with **World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)**, where she became known for her intense matches and captivating storylines. Her on-screen personality was a perfect blend of sass and intelligence, making her an instant fan favorite among wrestling enthusiasts.

Throughout her career, AJ Lee has been open about the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She has used her platform to raise awareness about women’s rights and promote body positivity.

In addition to her work in professional wrestling, AJ Lee is also an accomplished writer and podcaster. Her writing often focuses on topics such as mental health, relationships, and personal growth. Her podcast, “The MJ & Pat Podcast”, has become a popular destination for fans looking to connect with her on a more personal level.

AJ Lee’s impressive career is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion. She continues to inspire and motivate fans around the world with her authenticity and vulnerability.

She later interned at the local NBC affiliate and worked as a waitress to make ends meet

AJ Lee, whose real name is April Jeanette Mendez, had a unique and unconventional early life and career that paved her way to becoming a successful WWE wrestler.

She was born on March 9, 1987, in Pensacola, Florida, but grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. Her parents divorced when she was five years old, and AJ Lee’s mother later remarried, moving the family to Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

AJ Lee developed a passion for drawing at an early age and considered pursuing a career as an artist before discovering her love for professional wrestling.

She began training at the International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) in Massachusetts in 2002 under the guidance of wrestlers such as Sara Del Rey, Chris Hero, and IWA-MS. After honing her skills through various independent promotions in the Northeastern United States, AJ Lee made her professional wrestling debut in 2006.

She later interned at the local NBC affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts, to gain experience behind-the-scenes in television production.

To make ends meet while pursuing her wrestling career, AJ Lee worked as a waitress and took on various other jobs. She eventually moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she continued to hone her skills and perform for independent promotions in the Midwest.

It was during this period that AJ Lee developed her distinctive character and style, which would later become known for its quirky humor and vulnerability. Her unique blend of athleticism and charisma caught the attention of WWE scouts, who eventually signed her to a developmental contract in 2007.

AJ Lee’s subsequent rise through the ranks of WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), culminated in her main roster debut as AJ Lee on May 17, 2010. The rest, as they say, is history.