The storyline between AJ Lee and Daniel Bryan started with just some backstage segments. Even after Daniel Bryan won the World's Heavyweight Championship, AJ would not be joining him at ringside on a regular basis. You probably remember that one memorable time she did, and Big Show ran her over. More recently, however, she has been coming out more with him. More interestingly, he is coming out for her matches on Smackdown. Now this storyline really has developed to mean something more for AJ.
When I talk about periphery divas or divas getting something to do on the periphery, I am talking about diva angles that do not get the major attention, which is usually reserved for the centerpiece, or whom the WWE wants to be their top diva. There does not seem to be any centerpiece in place right now, but that is another issue. AJ is getting a periphery storyline. This romance angle is not a major diva angle. It certainly does not revolve around title matters. It revolves around what is going on in the side of the diva division, in the men's world. This is similar to what the WWE did with Lita. Will AJ be a periphery diva? That is to say, will she be one of those women who spend the bulk of her career getting good development more on the outskirts of major diva matters? That remains to be seen. Judging by how horrible the diva division is going, they might as well try pushing her as centerpiece. AJ doesn't exactly look like a true female wrestler anyway. I don't believe she had much of a legacy before signing with the WWE. From the start of the diva division, the centerpieces have always been glamorous women with no real wrestling ability at the time of coming to the WWE. They were eye candy. That was why they were there. This is the kind of woman the WWE would build to be the best, and at the expense of credible women's wrestlers, or credible jobbers. AJ Lee does not exactly look like a credible jobber. She has not exactly gotten the chance to be used as one either. However, she does have both Eve and Kelly Kelly in the mix, as well.
Where will this storyline between AJ and Bryan go? Obviously, Daniel Bryan does not really need AJ to help him look like a great heel. This guy gets people to hate him by just repeating one word over and over again. Seriously? One word? Just repeating one word can get you over? It's that easy? Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! No, not really. Daniel Bryan knows how to play an obnoxious heel. Most importantly, it is connecting with the fans. AJ is not necessary, but she is benefiting from this main-event angle she is getting. Will it end with her turning heel and joining Bryan fully? It would be a nice swerve, but it probably will not happen. Most likely, she will finally stand up for herself against her jerk of a boyfriend. Think back to Trish Stratus in 2001. The WWE had her stand up against Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon, the bosses. What happens with AJ, should she do something similar, will not be as epic, but it will do her good in connecting with the fans. And then it comes down to what happens next. More periphery treatment? Push her as centerpiece? Lost in the shuffle?
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