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It feels like just yesterday she was skipping down the entrance ramp with that chaotic energy and the "Love Bites" theme song blasting through the arena. But then you realize it’s been over a decade since she first walked away from the ring, and suddenly the math starts to feel a bit heavy. Honestly, if you’re asking how old is AJ Lee, you aren’t just looking for a number on a driver's license. You’re likely trying to figure out how the woman who defined the "Diva" transition into the "Evolution" era is still somehow moving like she’s 22 in a WWE ring today.
The short, factual answer is that April Jeanette Mendez (better known to the world as AJ Lee) was born on March 19, 1987.
As we sit here in January 2026, that puts her at 38 years old.
She’s approaching 40, yet her recent return to WWE in late 2025 has everyone doing a double-take. Usually, when a legend comes back after ten years away, there's a bit of "ring rust" or a noticeable drop in speed. With AJ? It’s like she found a glitch in the simulation.
The Timeline: How Old Is AJ Lee Compared to Her Peers?
To really grasp the how old is AJ Lee question, you have to look at the context of the locker room she just re-entered. When AJ retired in 2015, she was only 28. That’s incredibly young to call it quits in the wrestling business. Most performers are just hitting their "prime" at that age.
Because she left so early, she’s returning at 38 with a body that hasn't taken the "bump" mileage of a full-time ten-year career.
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Think about it this way. Becky Lynch, one of her primary rivals since the 2025 return, is also 38. Charlotte Flair is 39. In a weird twist of fate, by retiring for a decade, AJ Lee effectively "preserved" herself. She isn't a "legacy act" in the way a 50-year-old returning legend might be; she’s actually right in the same age bracket as the current top stars of the division.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Her Age Right Now
There’s a reason this search is peaking. It’s not just curiosity—it’s the "Wrestlepalooza Effect." When she teamed up with her husband, CM Punk, to take on Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch last September, the internet basically broke.
People were shocked. Not because she was "old," but because she looked and moved exactly the same as she did during her record-breaking 406-day title reign.
There's also the mental health component. AJ has been very open about her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In her 20s, she struggled with the grueling travel schedule and the pressure of the spotlight. Now, at 38, she’s coming back on her own terms. She’s stated in recent interviews—like her late 2025 chat with Stephanie McMahon—that she’s in a completely different headspace now. Age has given her the "superpower" of boundaries. She’s working a reduced schedule, focusing on high-profile matches, and prioritizing her mental well-being over the "grind."
Life Beyond the Ring: The "Middle" Years
Between the ages of 28 and 38, April Mendez wasn't just sitting around waiting for a phone call from Triple H. She became a legitimate New York Times Best Selling author with Crazy Is My Superpower. She started Scrapyard Productions. She wrote movies for Netflix, like Blade of the 47 Ronin.
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Basically, she spent her 30s building a life that had nothing to do with wrestling.
That’s what makes her 2026 status so interesting. Most wrestlers need to come back because they have nothing else. AJ came back because she wanted to. She’s currently 38, rich, successful in Hollywood, and arguably the most influential woman of her generation in the industry.
A Rough Start to 2026
It hasn't all been celebration, though. If you follow her on social media, you know that her 38th year has already been marked by some heavy personal loss. Just a few days ago, on January 13, 2026, AJ posted a heart-wrenching tribute to Larry, the dog she and CM Punk shared for over a decade.
Larry was more than just a pet; he was a fixture in their lives during her entire retirement.
In her tribute, she credited the rescue dog with helping her through "the deepest depressive cycles." It's a reminder that while we see the "Black Widow" or the superstar on TV, at 38, she’s navigating the same heavy life stuff as anyone else. This loss is reportedly why she’s been a bit quiet on WWE programming since Survivor Series: WarGames.
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What’s Next for the 38-Year-Old Trailblazer?
So, how old is AJ Lee going to be when she finally hangs up the boots for good? Probably not anytime soon. She’s currently signed to a multi-year deal that suggests she’ll be a fixture of "WrestleMania Season" for at least the next few years.
There are massive rumors swirling about her status for the 2026 Royal Rumble. Fans are dying to see her face off with the newer generation—talent like Tiffany Stratton or Roxanne Perez (who literally grew up as a "superfan" of AJ).
- The Schedule: Expect her to stay on a "special attraction" tier. She isn't doing the 300-days-a-year road loops.
- The Creative: She’s heavily involved in her own storylines. At 38, she has the "vet" status to say no to bad ideas.
- The Movies: Her production company is currently working with Toei Animation on a "mental health horror story." She’s juggling being a wrestler and a mogul simultaneously.
If you’re looking to keep up with her journey, the best move is to watch her transition into the 2026 Road to WrestleMania. She’s proven that age is just a data point, and at 38, she’s arguably more dangerous in the ring than she was at 25 because she’s actually happy to be there.
Check out her memoir if you haven't already; it's the best way to understand the person behind the "AJ Lee" character. You can also follow her production updates through Scrapyard Productions to see what she's cooking up in Hollywood while she's taking a break from the squared circle.