As many of you know, I’m a wrestling fan (for better or worse, sometimes). With that said, one of my favorite wrestlers of the past twenty years is AJ Lee (AJ Mendez Brooks). Yes, she of the AJ Lee ass gif I’ve used on this site more than once, is one of my favorite wrestlers of the past twenty years. For those ass gifs, I apologize for oversexualizing her by commenting on her bottom. While I think she is a sexy woman and is pretty dope outside of the ring, I don’t really have the right to be like “oooh ass I wanna meme it and post it all over because durrr she hot.” And even though I respect women of all walks of life, it was kind of uncalled for for me to perv out when she probably wouldn’t have wanted me to perv out.
As many of you know, I, too, suffer from bipolar disorder and grew up in not-so-great conditions. My mother also dealt with mental health issues, so I definitely empathize with AJ and her siblings having to find ways to help “save” their family and having to grow up before they were ready. It’s a sad reality for a lot of people, especially those in poor living conditions and/or those who can be identified as being “minorities.” Additionally, we get to see the world of the WWE from the eyes of a fan who happened to wrestle as well. We get curtains pulled back, but not in a way that breaks what makes wrestling great. Readers, more so, get a look at what it meant to be an against-the-grain talent in an era that was hesitant about change. We also learn that CM Punk is partly responsible for making sure AJ didn’t end up like many of the women’s wrestlers of the time (I won’t spoil how).
AJ’s writing style is both comedic and warranting of empathy, as she lays everything out there for the world to read. It works, and works well, as the book never really drags. Nor does it breeze through important life lessons. The pacing, mixed with the style of writing, make for an easy read that gets you into the mind of one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of all-time (and no, I don’t think I’m being hyperbolic).
I, honestly, saw myself in AJ’s shoes more often than not, mental illness concerns and wrestling prowess aside. That’s the sign of a great autobiography, one that can put you in the writer’s shoes and have you see the world through their eyes. If you’re looking for a great read with an easily empathetic lead, you should check this one out. If you’re looking for a look into the life and upbringing of a pretty one-of-a-kind person, you should also check this one out. Overall, I’m pleased at how this one turned out. So, you know what to do. Support dope talent and art in all of its forms.
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