#2. Too Much AJ
I knew the risk was there from the beginning. WWE took AJ to another level and her increased involvement and more-important role in the Punk/Bryan/Kane story started off as a great thing.
She was compelling. Interesting. Entertaining.
AJ added a new element to the program that was accepted and enjoyed by fans. She played the part well — still does — and it was a believable, SUBTLE addition to an already-great feud.
But Vince and WWE did what they so frequently do by not stopping there. Why ruin a good thing by not making it GREAT! That was likely their mentality. But it hasn’t been great. AJ is becoming too front-and-center and it’s beginning to enter a place I feared they might not be able to resist going.
It’s becoming cheesy.
AJ’s diverse relationship with each, individual man is THE storyline now. That was somewhat always the case, but to a much lesser degree.
Additionally, CM Punk and Kane (especially) are no longer benefiting from this.
Kane was shown to be vulnerable, which is the last thing you want from a so-called “monster”. Punk should be “too cool” and walk away from the drama surrounding girls like AJ, but he’s getting distracted too. I’m aware that’s the point, but distracted by affection and potential love interest is much different than the simple route I would have taken.
That being said, it’s all been leading to this. July 15th, 2012. The “Money in the Bank” pay per view. AJ will be the special guest referee in the CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan championship match. The story will now come full circle and she will cost CM Punk the title and re-align with her boyfriend.
Kudos to WWE if they take advantage of the opportunity that Sunday. That outcome will be proof that WWE likely planned it that way all along. And if so, I give them credit for following through with something from beginning to end for once.
I haven’t enjoyed AJ’s involvement over the past couple weeks, but it was short-lived in the grand scheme of things and will ultimately be a positive if Bryan walks out of MITB as champion.
By the way, I’m okay if Punk retains as well, but only if he gets away from AJ following the event. That likely means he’ll stop working with Bryan for a while as a result.
