What’s the story?
AJ Lee was recently featured on CBS Sports in an interview to promote her book, where she spoke on a myriad of issues namely a possible return to the WWE, her tough childhood, whether her violent childhood makes it tough to watch CM Punk in MMA, and much more.
In case you didn’t know...
AJ Lee (April Mendez-Brooks) is a former 3-time WWE Divas champion who performed for the company from 2009 in its developmental territory, and from 2010 on the main roster until her retirement in 2015.
The heart of the matter:
Speaking about the current WWE female performers, Lee stated that she considers herself fortunate to have performed with them and her heart swells to see them be treated on par with the men, adding that she hopes they are being paid just as much as them. When probed about a potential WWE comeback, she replied:
“I never would say that because I've personally said never to things before and done them. But I am so happy where I am right now and I feel like I had such a pitch perfect career that I would be nervous about tarnishing that. I feel like it's kind of full-circle and perfect for exactly what I wanted. But who knows?”
The 30-year old also opened up about her difficult childhood, confessing that she’d like to go back in time and hug her younger self for being as strong as she was, at such an early age. On being asked whether her violent childhood was a reason behind her reluctance to watch her husband CM Punk (Phil Brooks) compete in MMA, she laughed and replied:
“I think it's a little bit of both and that's super perceptive of you. I've gravitated toward action that is more of the superhero romanticized variety. Superheroes and comic books and pro wrestling where the fear is taken out of it because there's a levity involved. With UFC it's so real and so violent that it's hard for me to even watch. The pay-per-views will be on in my house and I'll pay for it and I'll support it, but I can't really sit down and watch it. It's hard for me, especially with my husband. For someone who beat up people for a living I'm pretty queasy when it comes to violence for sure.”
What’s next?
AJ Lee’s book Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules, was published this month and debuted at number-10 on the New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover non-fiction. She has no plans of a comeback to the ring as of yet.
Author’s take
My hat is off to April Brooks for being so vocal about her previous struggles with mental health issues amongst other stuff. If you guys haven’t read her book, consider doing that.
