AJ Lee retires from WWE: Former Divas champion makes shock decision to join CM Punk in leaving the WWE

AJ Lee had just wrestled at WrestleMania as she teamed up with Paige to defeat the Bella Twins

AJ Lee has retired from the WWE (Getty Images)

After nearly four years on WWE's main roster, it was announced Friday that Diva AJ Lee has decided to retire from professional wrestling, writes Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report.

The 28-year-old Union City, New Jersey, native leaves the company as a three-time Divas champion and one of WWE's most successful female wrestlers in recent memory.

AJ teamed with Paige to defeat Nikki and Brie Bella on Sunday at WrestleMania 31, and it turns out that it will stand as the final big match of her WWE career.

WWE's Twitter account released the official announcement:

Jim Ross weighed in on Lee's retirement:

In addition to her in-ring exploits, AJ is known for being the wife of former WWE Superstar and current UFC fighter CM Punk, who tweeted following the news:

It is no secret that Punk and WWE have been embroiled in a feud since he left the promotion in 2014 following the Royal Rumble.

Punk aired his grievances on friend Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast in November, which undoubtedly put the relationship between WWE and AJ in a somewhat awkward position.

AJ is just 28 years of age and certainly had some good years ahead of her, but she ultimately decided that stepping away from the squared circle was the right move.

The spunky, diminutive "Geek Goddess" may be moving on to explore other opportunities, but she will long be remembered as someone who helped redefine what it means to be a Diva.

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