AJ Talks Being A Diva, Video Games, TV, Advice To Wrestlers, Etc

Some of the biggest WWE wrestlers will square off Sunday, June 9 at the Crown Coliseum when WWE Live comes to town.

The lineup, which is subject to change, will include world heavyweight champion Dolph Ziggler, "The Viper" Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, the Big Show and the Shield.

It also will include diminutive WWE diva AJ Lee, who last appeared in the area in 2011 at a Fort Bragg WWE Tribute to the Troops.

"It's been a little while since I've been to Fayetteville," said Lee in a phone interview. "I have a brother who used to serve with the 82nd (Airborne Division). It'll be great to get back there."

Weekender spoke with Lee from her Florida home during a rare day off. The impish wrestler talked about the upcoming WWE Live show, what it means to be a "diva" and her love of video games.

Weekender: What are you up?
Lee: I'm actually just hanging out on my couch watching an "Arrested Development" marathon on Netflix. It's a great show.

Weekender: What can people expect when WWE comes to town?
Lee: My favorite thing about our (WWE) Live events is the atmosphere. We have more crowd interaction, and we always have fun doing crazier stuff than we normally do. We've got a great lineup of guys and a handful of divas, too.

Weekender: What's it like to be a WWE diva?
Lee: It's been insane. The other day was my two-year anniversary of my WWE Smackdown debut. It just shows how far you can come in two years if you bust your butt and work hard. That's really half the battle - hard work.

Weekender: The other half?
Lee: Being lucky. I've been very lucky and blessed, and I've been waiting a long time for the door to open, so when opportunities presented themselves, I took advantage. I hope this inspires young women and girls that are coming up and want to do this.

Weekender: How much of a diva are you really?
Lee: Diva is a funny word because the connotation isn't the greatest. For me, it means being smart, sexy and powerful. It's my goal to redefine the word. I'm in the WWE, but right now I'm at home on my couch watching "Arrested Development." I work out and hang out with my dog and play video games. I'm not the diva archetype; I'm 115 pounds with no curves. I'm the "homely diva," but I'm proud to be so different and to be a face of the WWE.

Weekender: What's the most challenging part of being in the WWE?
Lee: Knowing and preparing yourself that whatever you're doing could be the last thing you could do. You never know if there's going to be another chapter, so it makes you give 100 percent. Thankfully, there's been a lot of next chapters for me.

Weekender: What's the most rewarding part?
Lee: I've known (wrestling) was what I wanted to do since I was 12, and I'm still that 12-year-old girl inside - the one who buys the action figures and video games. I've worked really hard to get here and I feel fortunate that now I'm in a position to give back to the business that gave me so much. I feel like a valuable asset to the company.

Weekender: What's something viewers don't get to see but you wish they did?
Lee: This is such a roller coaster. People don't understand. They don't know how patient you have to be for success. I have a great fan base, but some fans want you to be successful right now. They don't realize the trick is longevity and to be successful in the long run. To be busy for a year in this business is an achievement.

Weekender: What advice do you have for aspiring wrestlers?
Lee: Know that it's not going to happen at once. You have to experience this on your own and be very strong in every aspect - especially mentally. You should also know exactly who you are and never waiver from that. Don't be afraid to take risks. You may fall flat, but if you play it safe, you'll just be one of many.

Weekender: You're a video game enthusiast. What games are you playing now?
Lee: The "Tomb Raider" reboot is so good. They've really done a lot to the character of Lara Croft. She was, for the longest, so unobtainable, but now she's much more likable and relatable. It's also a long game, with chapter after chapter. I also just started playing "Injustice: Gods Among Us," and I can't wait for our game, "WWE 2K14." I hope I'm in it.

Woohoo she also plays injustice

congrats to her for coming a long way since her debut. nice interview.

Yeah I think her answers were good.

I didn't know she just had her 2 year anniversary [of her SD debut].

I really hope she gets the belt soon she is very deserving.

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