Posts Tagged ‘AJ Mendez’

AJ Lee Drops In-Ring Training Video With CM Punk Amid Hope Of WWE Return

WWE saw the return of CM Punk at Survivor Series, and it didn’t take long for fans to wish they could see AJ Lee next. Although we have heard no definite momentum about her in-ring return, she is definitely teasing something.

AJ Lee on Heels

AJ Mendez landed a role on Heels. That part was perfect for her, because she got to play a female pro wrestler, despite her in-ring career grinding to a halt a year after her husband left WWE.

AJ Lee Drops Training Video

To add even more intrigue to the situation, the former Divas Champion dropped a video of her training in the ring with CM Punk. This is not recent footage, but it does show how hard she trained to get ready for that Heels role.

AJ Lee also dropped a photo on her Instagram story where she showed off her signature Chuck Taylor wrestling boots. She also picked lyrics to a classic Simon & Garfunkel song. This got a lot of fans going, assuming she is hinting at an in-ring return.

414190457 926892062332113 459393510616730548 n 1

Why AJ Lee Left WWE

AJ Lee left WWE in 2015 after several years with the company. Following her last match at WrestleMania 31, AJ Lee announced her retirement from professional wrestling. AJ Lee and Saraya (then known as Paige) beat the Bella Twins in tag team action on the grandest stage of them all.

AJ Lee actually wrestled once more as AJ Lee, Naomi & Paige defeated Natalya & The Bella Twins in a 13-minute match during the March 30th WWE Monday Night RAW. Then, she bid WWE farewell, but she also went out with a win.

AJ Lee’s decision to leave WWE was a personal one, and she expressed a desire to focus on other endeavors outside the wrestling industry. Her departure marked the end of an impactful career in WWE, where she had achieved success as a multiple-time Divas Champion, and now fans can only imagine what 2024 has in store.

Jessie Jones Talks New WOW Season, AJ Mendez

Jessie Jones is here to make wrestling great again. WOW (Women Of Wrestling) to be exact as the promotion enjoys a rebirth with huge syndication clearance across the country and beyond. The proud Bardstown, Kentucky native wasted no time letting her intentions known on the microphone to creator David Mclane. She wants gold around her waist. 

Jones even beat Foxxy Fierce and Ice Cold solo to prove a point that she belongs in the women’s tag team title mix. The veteran took time out from raising hell to talk about this new incarnation of WOW in this SEScoops interview. 

WOW has so much reach with syndication. Talk a little about what it has been like. How would compare the feel, and the atmosphere this time around from what we’ve seen from WOW in the past? 

Jessie Jones: There is a lot of excitement. There is a lot of buzz. Everybody is just ready to make a statement. We’re ready to make everyone feel like, “Wow, these women are entertaining and can wrestle.” 

Of course, new this season is AJ Mendez. What do you think she bring? She brings such a big fanbase. How has it been interacting with her? 

It’s amazing. I totally attribute AJ basically giving the women the platform they have now. She is the person who tweeted to give women a chance. That really got the ball rolling for the women’s revolution. I think of her in the locker room as someone who has done so much and can learn from. She also has this huge fan base where it can be, “AJ supports this. Let’s see what this is about.” I think that her fans are going to be happy. She loves being there. She loves being a part of WOW. I love having people like AJ there who I can learn from, talk to, and ask questions. It’s a privilege having someone like her in the locker room and available to us. 

As a veteran, have you taken the new faces under your wing to help them acclimate to the wild world of pro wrestling?

It is definitely a whole new world. You know I’m kind of selfish. I don’t help too many people unless I see something in them. You might see me help somebody out as the season goes on. I can’t give away too much. I’m more of a sit back and watch and if someone asks me, then I might help them. It depends on how I’m feeling that day. 

You’re known for being outspoken in the ring. Who has helped you along the way in building those mic skills? You feel you believe what you’re saying. 

That’s the key to a promo. You believe what you’re saying. I honestly had the great honor and privilege of being trained and mentored by Tracy Smothers, who is one of the best on the microphone ever. It definitely goes back to the foundation. Tracy Smothers, working with Mickie Knuckles, Brian Knobbs, Ohio Valley Wrestling. I would say my ability. And through college and school, I was doing speech and drama, and forensics. I’m not one who has been shy with a mic in my hand. Having the confidence to do it and knowing where all the trainers at OVW having helped me out. 

You mention OVW. Do you see WOW partnering and building relationships with other wrestling companies like others have?

No, I don’t think WOW is going to partner just because with Ohio Valley Wrestling they have males, and females. What we are really about is empowering and uplifting women. We’re the only all-women wrestling company to have a national, worldwide, footprint. I’m grateful for Ohio Valley Wrestling. I don’t see a partnership coming. I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if OVW’s girls are scouted by WOW. 

Is there anyone from the outside you want to come into WOW? 

Mickie Knuckles. There are a few, but maybe they’re coming in and you don’t know it yet. 

Speaking of which you had that big win with Ice Cold and Foxxy Fierce, demanding being involved in the tag team tournament. We might be seeing a new partner emerge. Can we expect a new partner to appear? 

Definitely. I’m going to pick a partner, force people to be my partner, and talk them into being my partner. I will find someone to stand on the apron. You can expect me to be searching. 

The story was built with you and Selina Majors. There is a bond and history there. Do you expect to see her in the ring for WOW again, either opponent or on your side? 

I don’t know, but it would be amazing if she did. I might be a little upset with her. I like to tag with her, but she bailed on me. It depends on my mood that day. It would be cool to tag with her again and make Southern Pride the tag team champions. But then again I might be in a nasty mood and am like you bailed on me after I traveled to California on a bus. I want to fight you. I don’t know. We’ll see. 

WOW Women Of Wrestling, Saturdays, Syndication 

Film Co-Written By AJ Lee (AJ Mendez) Finishes Production

AJ Lee (AJ Mendez) recently took to Twitter to note that a movie she co-wrote has wrapped production. She worked with her long-time writing partner Aimee Garcia as well as comic book writer John Swetnam on the project. The film is titled “Blade of the 47 Ronin”. It is a sequel to 2013’s “47 Ronin” but set 300 years after the original.

The film is scheduled to be released next year on Netflix.

“Ancient Japanese Ronin warriors set 300 years after 47 Ronin, in a modern-day world where Samurai clans exist in complete secrecy,” reads an IMDB description of the film.

The original film was criticized for elements of white-washing but director Ron Yuan spoke to Variety about what will be different about this film.

“We need people who know the genres, people that know the history, people that can understand how to bring these stories, make it fresh and pop off the screen. Not like those old TV shows where every time there’s an Asian theme, or an Asian character, you hear the gong going ‘ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding dang’,” he told Variety. “None of that shit anymore.”

AJ and Aimee Garcia have partnered together on multiple projects. They co-wrote the comic book series GLOW vs. The Babyface. They also wrote a 4-part Dungeons and Dragons series as well. Their production company is named  Scrappy Heart Productions.

CM Punk Wanted AJ Mendez To Take Meeting With Jeanie Buss

CM Punk encouraged his wife, AJ Mendez, to take that meeting with Jeanie Buss.

Mendez got the wrestling world buzzing with the announcement of her return to the industry. Mendez will serve as an Executive Producer for Women of Wrestling and she’ll also be providing color commentary.

It’s not every day that the owner of the LA Lakers wants to get ahold of you. CM Punk told Robbie Fox on My Mom’s Basement that once he heard Jeanie Buss wanted to speak to AJ, he was all for it.

“I had somebody reach out to me, saying, ‘Hey, Jeanie Buss wants to talk to April.’ I was like, ‘What?’ April doesn’t know anything about sports, like nothing, you know? So I took the idea to her and I was just like, ‘You have to at least take this meeting. Jeanie Buss is the most powerful woman in sports.’ You know, I think in my mind, I was just doing cartwheels thinking of my wife talking to Jeanie Buss. I thought that was super cool.”

Mendez doesn’t plan on wrestling for WOW, at least not now. In an interview with Izzy on the official WOW YouTube channel, Mendez said that while she can technically make a return to the ring, she’s content with stepping aside and allowing this current generation of talent to shine.

WOW is expected to begin its relaunch in the fall of 2022. The company has agreed to a syndication deal with ViacomCBS. Older episodes of WOW are expected to start airing on CW Seed and Pluto TV in Dec. 2021.

AJ Mendez On Wrestling For WOW: “Never Say Never”

AJ Mendez has responded to the question of whether or not she will wrestle for Women of Wrestling.

Mendez stunned the wrestling industry when she announced her return to the business. She will be an Executive Producer for WOW. Not only that, but she’ll also be in the booth as a color commentator.

Of course, this has led many to wonder if AJ Mendez will lace up her boots once again to mix it up with the current generation of female talent. Speaking to Izzy on the official YouTube channel of WOW, Mendez answered that question.

“So I will say, I say the same thing in every interview. It’s always, ‘never say never,’ but don’t hold your breath. And what I mean by that is that I never say never to anything. Physically, mentally, emotionally I’m healed from everything I’ve gone through in wrestling. I could technically do it, but I am so enjoying letting the next generation have their spotlight. I got to do everything I wanted to do so it really would have to be is that challenge there? I don’t think the girls need me there. I think that they are going to take over the world all by themselves.”

Regardless of whether or not she returns to the ring, the good news here is that there is no injury preventing Mendez from wrestling again. When she left WWE back in 2015, she cited damage to her cervical spine as one of the reasons for her decision.

Mendez will be playing a crucial role in the relaunch of WOW. The promotion had gone dark during the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, the promotion lost its TV deal with AXS after AXS purchased Impact Wrestling.

WOW is expected to make its return in the Fall of 2022.

If you use the quotes in this article for your website, please drop a h/t to SEScoops with a link back to this article.

AJ Mendez Issues Statement After WOW Announcement

AJ Mendez is a part of Women of Wrestling and she’s spoken out about the move.

Mendez shocked the pro wrestling world with the announcement of her return to the business. While she won’t be back in the ring, she will serve as the Executive Producer for WOW. Mendez will also put on the headset for color commentary duties.

AJ Mendez took to her Instagram account to issue the following statement on joining WOW.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvZ718Pl1C/

“Swerve. I’m joining ViacomCBS & WOW as an Executive Producer alongside Jeanie Buss!

“It’s possible when I got the call from the president of the Lakers, I thought I was being drafted to the Lakers. Which was confusing, given my height. But then I learned all about WOW, David McLane, and their mission to create female superheroes in a family-friendly show, and I was psyched to bridge my two worlds of wrestling and storytelling to help the next generation feel represented on screen. You’ll see me on camera too as a color commentator! Which, given my penchant for running my mouth, seems fitting.

“Thanks to Chris Farina/ViacomCBS for the photos!”

Mendez made her exit from WWE and the wrestling world back in 2015. Damage to her cervical spine was the main reason for her decision to walk away from the ring. Her presence alone, however, has seemingly given WOW a morale boost ahead of its big relaunch. The promotion is expected to be back in the saddle in the fall of 2022.

AJ Mendez Joins Relaunched ‘Women of Wrestling’ Promotion

AJ Mendez is making her return to the wrestling industry.

During a press conference announcing the relaunch of Women of Wrestling, Mendez appeared to announce she is now a part of the promotion. She will be an executive producer. On top of that, she’ll also be providing color commentary.

AJ Mendez had been out of the business since 2015. She competed as AJ Lee under the WWE banner. AJ cited damage to her cervical spine as the reason for her departure.

WOW had gone dark during the COVID-19 pandemic. The promotion and AXS TV split from their deal along the way after AXS purchased Impact Wrestling.

WOW announced a new networking deal with ViacomCBS. The promotion will begin airing new shows in fall 2022. Older episodes are expected to air on CW Seed and Pluto TV in Dec. 2021.

WOW has revealed that Tessa Blanchard will return to the company as a huge part of the relaunch. The Beast, who remains the WOW World Champion, will also be making her return.

More info on the relaunch of WOW is expected to surface in the coming months. Stick with SEScoops as more details become available as it pertains to dates and talent.