The love story between professional wrestlers CM Punk and AJ Lee has emerged from a compelling on-screen WWE storyline to become one of pro-wrestlings most beloved real-life romances. The power couple both made their names in the WWE. CM Punk whose legal name is Phillip Jack Brooks held WWE's championship title for over a year during his time in ring. AJ Lee real name April Jeanette Mendez was a triple WWE Divas champion also setting a personal record over four hundred days.
CM Punk and AJ Lee: A Deep Dive Into Shared Passions For Pro Wrestling And Mental Health Advocacy
CM Punk and AJ Lee first met through a story arc from the WWE around 2012 a catalyst for their later romantic partnership. Punk and Lee married a couple of years following. Post their marriage Punk went on to resume his wrestling career. Lee after retiring wrote memoir “Crazy Is My Superpower” and she founded Scrappy Heart Productions demonstrating both of their professional interests beyond wrestling. While AJ Lee is not wrestling her fans are hoping for return. However Punk has been known to refrain from public conversations that are on behalf of his wife to remain respectful of her personal life.
From On-Screen Antagonism to Off-Screen Romance: The Beginnings of the Punk and Lee Relationship
The athletic background for CM Punk and AJ Lee's relationship stems from the start of their WWE careers despite breaks with the company over time. Lee a native of Union City New Jersey rose up through the regional wrestling circuit then later in 2009 signed to the WWE becoming a prominent figure till retirement in 2015. Lee is very well-known for playing her ‘crazy’ on screen persona character that has stayed with her long after her time in wrestling while often promoting mental health awareness on social media and beyond.
CM Punk a Lockport Illinois native worked independent wrestling circuits from 1997 signing to Ring of Honor in 2002 then getting employed by WWE a couple years after in 2005. CM Punk contract with the company ended in 2014 after he took an extended time away however Punk has now officially rejoined November 2023. Lee and Punk originally met through WWE story arcs specifically during 2012 while playing different love interests demonstrating the unique environment where their actual romance grew. AJ Lee was first paired with Daniel Bryan an on screen character that feuded with CM Punk creating the perfect launch point for a love triangle narrative from the WWE company that translated into real life.
CM Punk and AJ Lee: Sharing Challenges Growing up While Growing Together
Rumors about CM Punk and AJ Lee’s private relationship started gaining traction during public sightings that started with the Chicago Cubs baseball game during 2013 confirming their relationship publicly after the event was recorded by paparazzi. CM Punk and AJ Lee bond came from deep connections to family mental health challenges as this became important to the both of them. Punk’s ‘straight edge’ lifestyle comes from a past that included his mother who experienced bipolar disorder resulting in their estrangement. He has cited his father’s struggles with alcoholism to be an integral part of his decision to abstain from those substances as well as other lifestyle choices.
AJ Lee publicly stated that family history included similar mental illness experiences with family substance issues poverty showing she faced some serious adversity early in her youth. AJ Lee's mother who was later a home health aid also was dealing with bipolar disorder along with Lee herself who received this diagnosis in her early twenties further demonstrating their common experiences. Both Punk and Lee used similar family situations for their on screen personas and advocating mental wellness. Their similar background inspired their relationship further strengthening their shared interests and perspectives on public health.
Unexpected Wedding Day Challenges for CM Punk and AJ Lee After Private Wedding Ceremony
CM Punk and AJ Lee’s 2014 wedding occurred on June 13 in private and marked a significant milestone for both after years of romance. Ironically same day of the private ceremony the WWE sent Punk a formal termination notice showing a dramatic twist to an otherwise private day for the young couple. While the termination with the WWE came as an emotional moment Punk himself mentioned in an interview that he was very focused on his life moving away from wrestling. Punk prioritized his focus on AJ Lee which led to a private wedding instead of a spectacle that could of occurred demonstrating the real relationship that formed outside of wrestling. CM Punk even mentions that his focus at this stage of his life was centered on his new life and AJ rather than money that he was getting with his WWE contract.
CM Punk Returns to WWE For Highly Anticipated Blockbuster Match Against Seth Rollins on Netflix Debut
CM Punk is once again considered a mega-star within the WWE organization currently setting the stage for the very anticipated fight against Seth Rollins in the new Raw premier that is being aired live on Netflix this coming Monday January 6th. Before settling down with his wife AJ Lee he had some relationships with past female WWE stars. During the time CM Punk worked for the WWE he had a relationship with Kelly Kelly from approximately 2006 till 2008 while he was performing for ECW another branch of the company. They also were in storyline where Kelly was growing attraction for CM Punk frustrating her on screen love interest Mike Knox. Their speculated relationship ended after Kelly Kelly transferred over to the main branch. It is notable to mention that Kelly’s husband Sheldon Souray is actually very close friends with Punk creating a great personal dynamic within their friend group and personal ties.
Relationships From the Past: Beth Phoenix and Mickie James Had Short Stints with CM Punk
Beth Phoenix widely considered a top female wrestler was reportedly in relationship with CM Punk for just a couple of months prior to meeting her husband Edge. Their relationship came to an end in late 2011 as she was starting her long time career and she had met Edge, a Hall Of Famer with All Elite Wrestling currently, and the two have multiple children. Punk mentioned some regret over that particular time during a radio interview at Holberg’s Morning Circus.
Another rumored short term relationship for CM Punk includes Mickie James also a WWE star who met during her time working for TNA around 2003 according to sources. James joined WWE that same year while becoming a staple in the Women's division, however, no confirmations of a relationship were made with Punk and James. Mickie James is now married to Nick Aldis the general manager of Smackdown creating opportunity for further returns on her part. Punk formally started his WWE tenure in 2005 then departed in 2014 that was the same time he entered into romance with his future wife AJ Lee and later tied knot after leaving WWE altogether.
The Legacy Of CM Punk's WWE Career With His Relationship with Wife AJ Lee Still Ongoing
The return of CM Punk to the WWE in November of 2023 after his initial run between 2005 till 2014 created large buzz in pro wrestling and beyond. After retiring from WWE the first time in 2014 due to personal issues he focused on mixed martial arts before finally coming back as of November to wrestling creating strong following among new and old fans. On the same wedding day CM Punk received WWE termination letter causing him to place that all on the side showing how focused he was on life outside of the wrestling arena and being a husband. CM Punk is slated for the debut show on Netflix with WWE Raw during Monday night programming this week.
The opening match had Roman Reigns battling with Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat in a scene which featured multiple interferences from The Bloodline faction plus Kevin Owens however Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson awarded Roman with ula fala at match conclusion. The final match of the night featured Seth Rollins versus CM Punk in a very anticipated match. Punk was victorious against Rollins however more animosity developed as result after hard fought match. Netflix executive Paul Levesque acknowledged the new contract between WWE and Netflix providing insight into future streaming.
John Cena made a show segment during Monday nights Raw which served as a commencement to his farewell tour concluding at end of year in 2025 during retirement of John Cena who hopes for the chance to go for record 17th World Championship after indicating how long he hasn't actually won. During women's World championship match Rhea Ripley took victory after beating Liv Morgan . Hogan briefly appeared promoting his beer as an official WWE sponsor during the night however his public presence was generally met with boos demonstrating fan disproval of prior activities within his life .
The match between Jey Uso versus Drew Mcintyre saw Uso gain victory in very tense brawl despite many expectations of McIntyre being victorious on this day . CM Punk fought Seth Rollins using old school brawling techniques to achieve victory after trading a GTS finishers highlighting a memorable and difficult fought match. The Netflix premiere set strong ratings from the general audience creating large possibilities for more live wrestling streaming in the coming years and will show how the new streaming will play out with new fans and older fan base alike across many locations.