AJ Lee retires from in-ring competition

The longest reigning champion in the history of the WWE Divas division, 3-time world champion A.J. Lee (born April Jeanette Mendez), has announced her retirement from in-ring competition effective immediately.

This past Sunday night in Santa Clara in front of 70K plus, Lee and Paige defeated The Bella Twins in the only Divas match on the WrestleMania 31 card. Lee locked in her Black Widow submission finisher to get Nikki Bella to tap out.

Following the victory, the “Frenemies” embraced in a long hug; AJ then told Paige that she loved her. While it seemed like just another beautiful WrestleMania moment at the time, in hindsight it makes more sense with AJ knowing this was the last Mania of her career passing the proverbial Anti-Diva baton to Paige.

Lee’s final match was as a part of a 6-woman tag team match this past Monday night on RAW. Teamed with Paige and Namoi, Lee’s team was victorious over The Bella Twins and Natalya.

Having already branded herself as AJ Brooks (check out her website here) the 28-year-old Jersey girl still has plenty to offer beyond the ring. Lee is currently working with a literary agent out of New York on a new book.

Thank you @LeshneAgency. I hope our book inspires girls to become strong women & underdogs to make their dreams a reality.

— A.J. (@WWEAJLee) March 31, 2015

Here’s a tweet AJ’s husband, Phil “CM Punk” Brooks sent out following his wife’s retirement.

#ThankYouAJ

— Coach (@CMPunk) April 3, 2015