AJ Lee

AJ Lee
Lee during an episode of NXT in November 2010.
Ring name(s)	AJ[1]/A.J.[2] AJ Lee[1] April Lee[3] Miss April[3]
Billed height	5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)[2]
Billed weight	107 lb (49 kg)[3]
Born	March 19, 1987 (1987-03-19) (age 24)[3]
Billed from	Union City, New Jersey[2]
Trained by	Jay Lethal[3]
Debut	September 29, 2007[3]

April Jeanette Mendez^[4][5] (born March 19, 1987)^[3] is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE,^[6] wrestling on its SmackDown brand under the name of AJ. In 2010, she competed on the third season of NXT, finishing in third place. She also competes in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where she is a former Queen of FCW and FCW Divas Champion, and the first person to have held both titles.

She has wrestled for several Northeast-based independent promotions under the name Miss April. including VPW, NWS, and ACE as well as the all-female promotion Women Superstars Uncensored, where she was one half of the WSU Tag Team Champions along with Brooke Carter, known as The AC Express.

Early life

Mendez has stated she is of Puerto Rican heritage.^[7] She attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in New York City where she majored in Film and Television production. She has a brother who served in the Army, and as a tribute to him, she has been known to wear camouflage wrestling attire.^[8]

Professional wrestling career

Training

Shortly after graduating from high school, Mendez researched wrestling schools, and enrolled in one a mile at the ACE Arena. To pay the tuition, she began working full-time, and became an official wrestling student in March 2007.^[8]

Women Superstars Uncensored (2008–2009)

On October 10, 2008, Miss April made her debut for Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU), losing to Soul Sister Jana in a singles match. The following night, she teamed with Malia Hosaka and participated in the tournament to determine the inaugural WSU Tag Team Champions. The pairing advanced to the second round by defeating The Soul Sisters (Jana and Latasha), where they lost to The Beatdown Betties (Roxxie Cotton and Annie Social). At the second taping later that same night, Miss April lost to Hosaka in a singles match. On February 7, 2009 Miss April teamed with Brooke Carter to defeat The Beatdown Betties and win the WSU Tag Team Championship. A month later, on March 7, they defeated The Beatdown Betties in a rematch to retain the championship. On April 10, Miss April competed in the third J-Cup tournament, defeating Roxxie Cotton in the first round before losing to Rain in the second.^[9] The following night, on April 11, Miss April and Jay Lethal were crowned the WSU/NWS 2009 King and Queen of the Ring after defeating Jana and Danny Demanto in the final of the tounament.^[8]

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–present)

Mendez signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment on May 5, 2009, and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE's developmental territory.^[6] Mendez made her FCW television debut at the August 14, 2009 tapings under the name April Lee in a fatal four-way match won by Serena Mancini, and also including Alicia Fox and Tiffany.^[10] In September 2009, her ring name was changed to "AJ Lee".^[11] She began challenging for the Queen of FCW title, and at the television tapings on February 4, 2010, Lee defeated Serena to win the crown.^[12] In the first round of a tournament to determine the inaugural FCW Divas Championship, Lee defeated Tamina on April 29, but was defeated by Serena in the semi-finals on May 20. At the June 10 television tapings, Lee challenged Naomi Knight for the FCW Divas Championship, but was unsuccessful.^[13] In June 2010, she appeared at Raw house shows, acting as the hostess, and also acted as the ring announcer at an FCW show.^[3][13] The following month, Lee and Serena interrupted Knight during a promo, and Lee watched while Serena attacked Knight, turning Lee into a heel (villainous character).^[14] Knight went on to retain her FCW Divas Championship by defeating both Lee and Serena in a triple threat match. On FCW's 100th episode, Lee fought Knight to a double countout in a match where both the Queen of FCW title and the FCW Divas Championship were on the line. At the September 2 tapings, Lee lost to Knight in a Lumberjill match to end their feud.^[13]

On November 18, Lee lost the Queen of FCW title to Rosa Mendes, ending her record nine and a half month reign.^[15] On December 16, Lee defeated Naomi to win the FCW Divas Championship.^[16] Her victory made her the first FCW Diva to have held both the Divas Championship and the title of Queen of FCW.^[17] She held the championship until the April 7 television tapings, when she lost it to Aksana.^[18]

NXT (2010)

On August 31, 2010, it was announced that she would be part of the third season of NXT under the name AJ, with Primo as her Pro.^[19] She appeared on the first episode of season three on September 7, teaming with Primo to defeat rookie Diva Aksana and her Pro Goldust in a mixed tag team match.^[20] The following week she suffered her first loss when she and Primo were defeated by Kaitlyn and Dolph Ziggler.^[21] Over the next two weeks, AJ won three challenges, and on the October 5 episode of NXT she and Kaitlyn were tied for the number of challenges won.^[22][23] Kaitlyn received immunity from elimination in the poll based on crowd reaction.^[24] AJ was eliminated from the competition on the November 23 episode of NXT, despite winning a competition and a match earlier in the show.^[25][26] She returned to NXT for the season finale, where she teamed with The Bella Twins to defeat Alicia Fox, Aksana, and Maxine.^[27] AJ returned as a special guest on February 8 during the fourth season of NXT, modeling merchandise during a 'guess the price' challenge.^[28]

SmackDown and The Chickbusters; Return to NXT (2011)

Main article: The Chickbusters

AJ debuted on the May 27, 2011 edition of SmackDown as a face, teaming with Kaitlyn (known as The Chickbusters, a play on The Dudebusters) in a losing effort to Alicia Fox and Tamina after Kaitlyn was pinned by Alicia. The duo were accompanied by Natalya, who earlier that evening was seen giving them a pep talk about facing Fox and Tamina.^[29] Her losing streak continued the following week, as she and Kaitlyn, accompanied again by Natalya, lost a return match to Alicia Fox and Tamina, who were this time accompanied by Rosa Mendes when she was pinned by Tamina.^[30] On the June 10 edition of SmackDown, again with Natalya in her corner, AJ scored her first win when she pinned Tamina in a singles match following a roll up.^[31] On the June 13 edition of Raw, an All-Star special, AJ was again victorious, in a 7 on 7 diva tag team match, teaming with Beth Phoenix, Gail Kim, Eve Torres, Natalya, Kelly Kelly and Kaitlyn to defeat The Bella Twins, Melina, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Maryse and Tamina.^[32] On the July 8 edition of SmackDown, AJ defeated Tamina in a singles match.^[33] The Chickbusters and Natalya returned to Raw on July 18 and were victorious in another 7 on 7 diva tag team match, with the same competitors as the All-Star Raw.^[34]

On the July 26 edition of NXT Redemption, AJ was revealed as Hornswoggle's admirer and after, Maryse insulted both of them, calling AJ a troll and telling Hornswoggle he finally found somebody his size, causing AJ to hit Maryse with the flowers she had for Hornswoggle.^[35] Three days later on SmackDown, she teamed up with fellow Chickbuster Kaitlyn and Natalya in a losing effort to the trio of Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, and Tamina after receiving a scissors kick from Fox.^[36] On the August 1 edition of Raw, AJ took part in a diva battle royal to become the #1 contender for the WWE Divas Championship against Kelly Kelly at the Summerslam pay-per-view, which was won by Beth Phoenix.^[37] On the August 2 edition of NXT Redemption, AJ and Hornswoggle, sat on commentary in the Titus O'Neil & Matt Striker vs. Derrick Bateman & Darren Young tag team match.^[38] On the August 5 edition of SmackDown A.J. lost to Natalya, who after the match turned heel by attacking AJ, and explaining this as part of a newfound allegiance with Beth Phoenix, who earlier that week on Raw attacked Kelly Kelly, and that she no longer wished to be a "cute diva".^[39] On the August 19 edition of SmackDown, AJ teamed up with Kelly Kelly to defeat Alicia Fox and her former mentor, Natalya.^[40] On the August 16 edition of NXT Redemption, Maxine returned to the show attacking AJ, later starting an alliance with her on-screen boyfriend Derrick Bateman against AJ and Hornswoggle.^[41] On the August 23 edition of NXT Redemption, AJ faced off with Maxine in a losing effort due to Derrick Bateman pushing Hornswoggle, thus distracting AJ.^[42] Then on the September 13 edition of NXT Redemption, AJ lost again to Maxine after Maxine executed Maximum Destruction.^[43] The next week on the September 20 edition of NXT Redemption, AJ finally defeated Maxine in a singles match.^[44] On the October 6 edition of Superstars, AJ defeated Tamina in singles competition.^[45] On the October 12 edition of NXT Redemption, AJ again defeated Maxine in a re-match.^[46] On the October 31 Halloween edition of Raw, AJ was a participant in a #1 contender diva battle royal to face Beth Phoenix for the divas at the Survivor Series pay-per-view. She was dressed as Kitana from Mortal Kombat, and attempted a move from the game during the match (a fan lift) before being eliminated by Tamina. Later on the match, it was won by Eve Torres.^[47] On the November 2 edition of NXT Redemption, AJ teamed with Titus O' Neil and Percy Watson defeating Derrick Bateman, JTG, and Maxine in a six-person mixed tag team match.^[48] On the November 11 edition of Smackdown, AJ appeared backstage with fellow Chickbuster Kaitlyn and Daniel Bryan talking about his Money in the Bank briefcase.^[49]

Personal life

Mendez was previously in a relationship with her trainer Jay Lethal.^[50] Mendez is a self-described geek^[51] and enjoys comic books, video games and action movies.^[52] Mendez is also an animal lover, owning two rescue dogs.^[53]

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Headscissors transitioned to an octopus hold or a headscissors armbar^[26][54]
  • Shining wizard^[3][8]
  • Sliced Bread #2^[3][8]

• Signature moves
  • Hurricanrana, sometimes to an oncoming opponent^[3]
  • Missile dropkick^[8]
  • Multiple arm drags^[8]
  • Spinning heel kick^[3]

• With Kaitlyn
  • Corner clothesline (AJ) / Backbreaker (Kaitlyn) combination^[55]
  • Aided splash^[55]

• Managers
  • Primo^[56]
  • Natalya^[57]
  • Kaitlyn^[58]
  • Hornswoggle^[59]

• Wrestlers managed
  • Primo^[60]
  • Kaitlyn^[61]
  • Titus O' Neil^[62]
  • Percy Watson^[63]

• Entrance themes
  • "Feelin Ya (Instrumental)" (FCW)
  • "Right Now" by Tyler van den Berg (WWE; June 10, 2011–present; uses with Kaitlyn as The Chickbusters)^[64][55]
  • "Let's Light It Up" by Jim Johnston feat. Kari Kimmel (WWE; October 25, 2011–present)^[65]

Championships and accomplishments

• Florida Championship Wrestling
  • FCW Divas Championship (1 time)^[16]
  • Queen of FCW (1 time)^[12]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked her #48 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2011^[66]

• Women Superstars Uncensored
  • WSU Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Brooke Carter^[8]
  • WSU/NWS King and Queen Tournament (2009) – with Jay Lethal^[8]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "FCW roster". Florida Championship Wrestling. http://www.fcwwrestling.info/divas.html. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "A.J.". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwenxt/aj/bio/. Retrieved September 3, 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} "A.J. Lee". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/a/a-j-lee.html. Retrieved September 11, 2010. 
4. ^ "AJ Lee". MySpace. http://www.myspace.com/apriljeanettem/photos/16648019#%7B%22ImageId%22%3A16648019%7D. Retrieved April 9, 2011. "Three generations of Mendez women, Me, Momma April, and my twin nieces." 
5. ^ The following source establishes that the MySpace source used in this article is her official one: "AJ Lee, la favorita para ganar la tercera temporada de NXT – ¿Que opinará AJ Styles?". superluchas.net. http://superluchas.net/2010/09/02/aj-lee-la-favorita-para-ganar-la-tercera-temporada-de-nxt-%C2%BFque-opinara-aj-styles/. Retrieved April 10, 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Martin, Adam (May 5, 2009). "WWE signs new developmental talent". WrestleView. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yAGructZ. Retrieved April 23, 2011. 
7. ^ "NXT Rookie Diva A.J. reacts to being paired to Primo" (video). World Wrestling Entertainment. http://vids2.wwe.com/9530/nxt-rookie-diva-aj-reacts-to-bei. Retrieved April 2, 2011. "We're both from Puerto Rico" 
8. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "Miss April". G.L.O.R.Y. Wrestling. http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/MissApril/MA.asp. Retrieved May 6, 2009. 
9. ^ "Women Superstars Uncensored". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wsu/. Retrieved March 27, 2011. 
10. ^ "Florida Championship Wrestling (2009)". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/fcw/_2009/. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
11. ^ Martin, Adam (September 19, 2009). "News and notes from WWE's FCW". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1253406563. Retrieved April 22, 2011. "AJ Lee (real name April Janette [sic], formally [sic] April Lee)" 
12. ^ ^{a b} "Florida Championship Wrestling roster". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5u1uiiFru. Retrieved August 10, 2009. 
13. ^ ^{a b c} "Florida Championship Wrestling (2010)". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/fcw/_2010/. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
14. ^ "Florida Championship Wrestling (2010): July 1, 2010–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Tapings (Airdate: 7/11)". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/fcw/_2010/. Retrieved April 17, 2011. "Lee did nothing – turning her heel" 
15. ^ "Champions Roll Call". Florida Championship Wrestling. http://www.fcwwrestling.info/champions.html. Retrieved January 1, 2011. 
16. ^ ^{a b} "FCW roster". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5vCVjXPQC. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
17. ^ "AJ makes FCW History". Florida Championship Wrestling. December 16, 2010. http://www.fcwwrestling.info/press11.html. Retrieved January 1, 2011. 
18. ^ "Champions Roll Call". Florida Championship Wrestling. http://www.fcwwrestling.info/champions.html. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
19. ^ Caldwell, James (August 31, 2010). "Caldwell's WWE NXT Results 8/31: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of NXT Season 2, Week 13 – Season Finale". Pro Wrestling Torch. http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_43474.shtml. Retrieved September 1, 2010. "Primo introduced her [sic] Rookie, A.J. It's A.J. Lee" 
20. ^ Bishop, Matt (September 7, 2010). "WWE NXT: Season 3 opens with burials, botches, more". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/09/07/15276706.html. Retrieved September 7, 2010. 
21. ^ Bishop, Matt (September 15, 2010). "WWE NXT: All-time burial continues". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/09/15/15353696.html. Retrieved September 15, 2010. 
22. ^ Bishop, Matt (September 21, 2010). "WWE NXT: Welcome to The Gong Show". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/09/21/15432321.html. Retrieved October 1, 2010. 
23. ^ Bishop, Matt (September 28, 2010). "WWE NXT: Head-scratching show carries on". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/09/28/15513061.html. Retrieved October 1, 2010. 
24. ^ Bishop, Matt (October 5, 2010). "WWE NXT: First elimination on tap, Vickie battles Kaitlyn". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/10/05/15595846.html. Retrieved October 8, 2010. 
25. ^ Martin, Adam (November 24, 2010). "Latest elimination from WWE NXT is...". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1290576879. Retrieved November 24, 2010. 
26. ^ ^{a b} Bishop, Matt (November 24, 2010). "WWE NXT: AJ sent home in a shocker". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/24/16296731.html. Retrieved November 24, 2010. 
27. ^ Bishop, Matt (November 30, 2010). "WWE NXT: Season 3 mercifully ends with new breakout diva crowned". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/30/16381991.html. Retrieved December 18, 2010. 
28. ^ Bishop, Matt (February 9, 2011). "WWE NXT: Another one bites the dust". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/02/09/17206116.html. Retrieved February 27, 2011. 
29. ^ "Smackdown Results: From dreamer to something meaner". WWE. May 27, 2011. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2011-05-27/25018171. Retrieved June 8, 2011. 
30. ^ "Smackdown Results: Deliberating the dilemma". WWE. June 3, 2011. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2011-06-03/25019806. Retrieved June 8, 2011. 
31. ^ "Smackdown Results: All about me". WWE. June 10, 2011. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2011-06-10/results. Retrieved June 10, 2011. 
32. ^ "Raw Results: Foutainhead". WWE. June 13, 2011. http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-06-13/results. Retrieved June 13, 2011. 
33. ^ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/wwe/smackdown/WWE_Smackdown_Results_7_8_11.html
34. ^ http://www.wrestling101.com/home/2011/07/wwe-raw-7-18-11-results/
35. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/07/26/wwe-nxt-results-7-26-11/
36. ^ http://www.ring-rap.com/2011/07/26/wwe-smackdown-results-for-72611-spoilers/
37. ^ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/wwe/raw/LIVE_COVERAGE_OF_TONIGHT_S_WWE_RAW_8_1_11.html
38. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/08/02/wwe-nxt-results-8-2-11/
39. ^ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/wwe/smackdown/WWE_Smackdown_Results_8_5_11.html
40. ^ http://www.videosheat.com/2011/08/wwe-smackdown-8-19-11-results/
41. ^ http://thesportscourier.com/content/wwe-nxt-81611-results
42. ^ http://www.videosheat.com/2011/08/wwe-nxt-8-23-11-results/
43. ^ http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/wwe-nxt-results-9-13-2011.php
44. ^ http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/wwe-nxt-results-9-20-2011.php
45. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/10/06/wwe-superstars-results-10-6-11/
46. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/10/12/wwe-nxt-results-10-12-11/
47. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/11/01/wwe-raw-results-10-31-11/
48. ^ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/wwe/raw/LIVE_COVERAGE_OF_TONIGHT_S_WWE_RAW_SUPERSHOW_10_31_11.html
49. ^ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/wwe/smackdown/LIVE_SPOILERS_FROM_TODAY_S_WWE_TAPINGS_IN_LIVERPOOL_ENGLAND.html
50. ^ Meltzer, Dave (September 6, 2010). "Sept. 6, 2010 Observer Newsletter: UFC 118 in-depth, early Luna bio, WWE responds to Cade, Tony Borne". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, CA): 11. ISSN 10839593. "April Jeanette, 23, started wrestling independently in New Jersey after graduating high school. While doing independents, she attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in New York City. She's got by far the most wrestling experience, and will be far and away the best in-ring worker. She's small and has the cute look, and was at one time the girlfriend of TNA's Jay Lethal." 
51. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/WWEAJLee
52. ^ WWE Friday Night Smackdown! 8/5/11
53. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/WWEAJLee/status/79039319754551296
54. ^ Martin, Adam (November 24, 2010). "NXT Results – 11/23/10". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1290627496. Retrieved November 24, 2010. "A.J. then slapped on her octopus submission" 
55. ^ ^{a b c} "WATCH WWE Superstars 9/29/2011 KAITLYN & AJ vs The Bella Twins". Kaitlyn-Support.net. September 30, 2011.
56. ^ http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1289419480
57. ^ "Smackdown Results: All about me". WWE. June 10, 2011. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2011-06-10/results. Retrieved June 10, 2011. 
58. ^ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/wwe/smackdown/WWE_Smackdown_Results_9_16_11.html
59. ^ http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/240999-wwe-nxt-results-august-23-2011
60. ^ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/wwe/superstars/WWE_Superstars_Results_11_18_10.html
61. ^ http://www.wrestlingattitude.com/headlines.php?subaction=showfull&id=1319079337&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&
62. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/08/02/wwe-nxt-results-8-2-11/
63. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/08/02/wwe-nxt-results-8-2-11/
64. ^ Pena, Daniel (June 11, 2011). "Details on A.J.'s new theme". Lords of Pain. http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/wwe/WWE_Tells_Goldust_To_Stop_Tweeting.html. Retrieved June 12, 2011. 
65. ^ http://ringsidexcess.com/2011/10/26/wwe-nxt-results-10-26-11/
66. ^ "PWI Female 50 2011 Revealed". Diva Dirt. September 9, 2011. http://www.diva-dirt.com/2011/09/09/pwi-female-50-2011-revealed/. Retrieved September 10, 2011. 

External links

Professional wrestling portal

• WWE profile
• FCW profile
• Online World of Wrestling profile
• Glory Wrestling profile

Persondata
Name	Lee, Aj
Alternative names	Aj; Jeanette, April; April, Miss; Lee, April; Mendez, April Jeanette
Short description	Professional wrestler
Date of birth	March 19, 1987
Place of birth	Union City, New Jersey
Date of death
Place of death