There are very few female performers who have managed to forge the relationship with the audience the way current Divas champion AJ Lee has since rising to prominence in 2012. Over the last two years, fans have witnessed the young woman develop from a spunky babyface to crazed and unstable vixen to a strong champion willing, and able, to take on any and all challengers to her throne atop the Divas division in World Wrestling Entertainment. She is outspoken on the mic, demonstrates great ability between the ropes and is as popular, if not more so, than some of her male counterparts. Years from now, fans will look back at the "PG" Era of WWE programming and recognize her as the finest female performer to step foot inside the a squared circle during that time. But there is more to AJ than what one sees on television every Monday and Friday night. Behind the crazy antics, the quirky demeanor, the incessant skipping and the shortest of shorts is a lifelong wrestling fan living her dream in front of an international audience each and every week. She has achieved her goal of winning the Divas Championship, is WWE's most merchandised female character and never appears out of place when included in marketing materials with the likes of John Cena, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton. A self-professed nerd with an infinity for Converse sneakers, she is the every-girl who struck it big in the grandiose world of sports-entertainment. On August 17, she will skip her way into Los Angeles and the Staples Center where she will defend her Divas Championship against Paige, like her a Diva that does not conform to traditional stereotypes of what a successful woman in sports-entertainment should be. Together, they will attempt to deliver a match befitting of their considerable talent. In preparation of the contest, take a look at 10 things fans should know about the sometimes crazy, sometimes unpredictable, always-entertaining Diva.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
