Since retiring from WWE in April 2015, AJ Lee (real name April Jeanette Mendez) has pursued a diverse array of creative and professional ventures outside the wrestling ring, establishing herself as a multifaceted talent in entertainment, advocacy, and storytelling. Below is a comprehensive overview of her activities post-WWE, based on available sources and recent developments as of September 4, 2025.
Post-WWE Career: Creative and Entertainment Ventures
Writing and Publishing
- Memoir: Crazy Is My Superpower (2017): AJ Lee authored a bestselling autobiography, published by Crown Archetype, detailing her journey from a challenging childhood marked by poverty and mental health struggles to her rise as a WWE star. The book, praised for its raw honesty, explores her bipolar disorder diagnosis at age 20 and her advocacy for mental health awareness. It remains a significant part of her legacy, with fans on X citing it as an inspiration for resilience.
- Comic Book Writing: A passionate comic book fan, AJ collaborated with DC Comics and other publishers. She contributed to projects like GLOW vs. The Babyface and has expressed a particular fondness for Batman: The Killing Joke, as noted in The Sportster. Her writing reflects her “Geek Goddess” persona, blending her love for pop culture with storytelling.
Acting and Screenwriting
- Television and Film Roles: AJ ventured into acting, notably playing Elle Dorado in the second season of Heels (2023), a Starz drama about a small-town wrestling promotion, alongside her husband, CM Punk. Despite initial nerves, she excelled in the role, per Wrestling Inc.. She also appeared in the 2019 body horror film Rabid as Kira, a model, and starred in the 2025 road comedy Sacramento with Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart.
- Screenwriting: AJ wrote the screenplay for Blade of the 47 Ronin (2022), a Netflix action sequel, showcasing her storytelling skills in a martial arts fantasy context. Her work on this project, highlighted in Wrestling Inc., marked a significant step into Hollywood.
Production Ventures
- Scrappy Heart Productions: In 2021, AJ co-founded Scrappy Heart Productions with actress Aimee Garcia to create diverse stories across comics, short films, and horror movies. A 2025 Tribeca Film Festival interview revealed plans for a comic book launch, a short film for festivals, and a horror movie project, underscoring her commitment to representational storytelling (Wrestling-World).
- Women of Wrestling (WOW): AJ returned to wrestling in a non-competitive role, joining WOW in October 2021 as an executive producer alongside Jeanie Buss. She provided color commentary for WOW’s weekly TV program starting in 2022 but announced her departure in summer 2023 to focus on other creative projects (The Sportster).
Advocacy and Personal Life
- Mental Health Advocacy: AJ has been a vocal advocate for mental health, drawing from her bipolar disorder diagnosis and a near-fatal overdose at 20, as detailed in her memoir. Her openness has inspired fans and wrestlers like Bayley, who praised her influence on women’s wrestling (The Sportster).
- Personal Life with CM Punk: Married to WWE star CM Punk since June 2014, AJ has supported his career, including his 2021 return to wrestling with AEW and his 2023 WWE comeback. Their relationship, sparked during a 2012 WWE storyline, remains a fan favorite, with public appearances at events like Chicago Cubs games (People).
Rumors of a WWE Return
Since CM Punk’s WWE return in November 2023, speculation about AJ Lee’s comeback has intensified, fueled by WWE’s nostalgic focus on her career, including videos on the WWE Vault YouTube channel ahead of Evolution 2 in July 2025 (Newsweek). Recent developments, particularly after the Clash in Paris event on August 31, 2025, where Becky Lynch’s interference in Punk’s match sparked fan chants for AJ, have amplified rumors. A now-deleted WWEShop post suggested her return at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, 2025, potentially teaming with Punk against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch (Sportzwiki). Reports from Fightful Select and SI.com confirm WWE creative has pitched her return, with no dismissal from management, though AJ has expressed reluctance due to a permanent cervical spine injury from her wrestling days (Sportskeeda).
However, AJ addressed these rumors at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, stating she left WWE feeling fulfilled but misses the fans, not the in-ring action. She cited her neck injury and backstage politics as reasons for staying away, suggesting a return is unlikely unless “a miracle” occurs (Wrestling-World).
Context and Impact
AJ Lee’s post-WWE journey reflects her transition from a trailblazing wrestler—known for her three Divas Championships and record 406-day title reign—to a creative force in writing, acting, and production. Her influence on women’s wrestling, particularly during the Divas era, is undeniable, with stars like Roxanne Perez calling her a role model (Wrestling-World). Despite her retirement, her legacy endures through her advocacy and contributions to wrestling’s evolution, as noted by fans on X who credit her for paving the way for the Women’s Revolution.
Her decision to prioritize health and creative pursuits over a wrestling return aligns with her narrative of resilience, though the persistent buzz—amplified by Punk’s WWE presence and events like Wrestlepalooza—keeps fans hopeful. Her recent Instagram post from San Diego Comic-Con, showing her in peak physical condition, further fueled speculation (PWUnlimited).
Conclusion
Since leaving WWE in 2015, AJ Lee has built a successful career as an author, actress, screenwriter, and producer, with projects like Crazy Is My Superpower, Heels, and Scrappy Heart Productions showcasing her versatility. Her advocacy for mental health and brief return to wrestling as a WOW producer highlight her continued influence. While rumors of a WWE comeback persist, particularly for Wrestlepalooza 2025, her neck injury and contentment outside the ring suggest she’s thriving in her new chapter. Fans can explore her memoir or catch Sacramento on streaming platforms to see her latest work, while keeping an eye on X for updates on her potential WWE return.