AJ Lee is no stranger to the story of the underdog. Throughout her professional wrestling career, she has consistently overcome the odds to achieve success in the squared circle. From her early days in the developmental system to main eventing major broadcasts, she has built a connection with the fans based on resilience. Now, she hopes to continue to tell more stories about people who might not have always had the spotlight shining on them.
The current champion recently took some time away from her busy training schedule to discuss her off-screen projects. Speaking directly to Minerva of the Minnieportable outlet during a recent sit-down interview, Lee was asked about her growing production company. The enterprise, known as Scrappy Heart Productions, was founded alongside her close friend and business partner Aimee Garcia. The two women have worked tirelessly to build the brand from the ground up.
During the interview, Lee explained her primary motivation for stepping into the entertainment production space. She stated that her goal with the company is to continue telling underdog stories for a much wider audience.
“Our goal with starting a production company… me and Aimee Garcia, was to represent the underdog stories with this Latinx lens, with this Latina lens,” Lee stated.
The business venture allows the dynamic duo to explore narratives that are often completely overlooked by mainstream Hollywood studios. By focusing intently on their shared cultural heritage, they hope to bring a fresh and necessary perspective to the modern media landscape. They want to ensure that younger generations have characters they can truly relate to on television and in film.
“We are American Latinas, and so what does that look like, and where do we fall?” Lee asked rhetorically.
She elaborated on the complex feelings of identity that many individuals experience when navigating multiple cultures at the same time. The duality of her background provides a very unique foundation for the stories she wants to produce and share with the world.
“Sometimes you don’t feel like you’re enough American, or you’re not Latina enough, and it can really be interested to be kind of in the middle of those worlds, but what does that look like?” she explained.
Lee and Garcia both started the company with a very specific and intentional purpose in mind. They wanted to actively shape the entertainment industry from within rather than waiting for outside opportunities to be handed to them by other executives.
The official mission statement of Scrappy Heart Productions emphasizes their unwavering commitment to this creative vision. The website outlines their dedication to bringing diverse and interesting characters to the forefront of pop culture.
“Create the change we want to see. As American Latina storytellers, we are dedicated to elevating diverse perspectives with universal themes, making underdogs the heroes of their own stories across all media,” the company website states.
To date, the production company has already successfully produced a number of different projects across various mediums. Their growing portfolio includes the short film “Aimee Comes First” and the graphic novel titled “Day of the Dead Girl.” They also have several other creative endeavors currently in development, proving that their diligent work ethic is paying off.
While Lee continues to champion underdog stories in Hollywood, she is also living one out inside the professional wrestling ring. She recently captured the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship by defeating Becky Lynch in a grueling match at the Elimination Chamber premium live event in Chicago. The newly crowned champion will now carry that prestigious title into the biggest show of the year. She is officially scheduled to defend her gold at WrestleMania 42, which takes place on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The highly anticipated two-night stadium broadcast will also feature her husband, CM Punk, defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns in the main event.
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