When you watched the turn, you could see some fans in the crowd upset by it. I don't believe WWE.com should be ranking this as one of the top 10 worst betrayals in wrestling history. The development of the team wasn't that rich. AJ Styles debuted at the Royal Rumble two months ago. Immediately after that, he started a rivalry with Chris Jericho. They traded wins and Styles picked up the third encounter. Since then, they have officially been on the same side and teaming up, until the recent betrayal. We are only talking about a few short weeks of being a team here. There were some moments here and there to help sell the relationship between AJ Styles and Chris Jericho, but nothing too major to make this turn feel like a dagger to the heart.
Think back to another heel turn that led to a Wrestlemania match. I am talking about a diva feud. This is a storyline that might just be the best pure diva storyline in the history of the diva division. I am talking about Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James. It wasn't the greatest rivalry. That probably belongs to Trish vs. Lita. And you might argue that there were some diva storylines that also involved men that were better. But out of those diva storylines that just involved women as the main players and no male superstars, this was the best. And it didn't even get a proper finish.
One of the reasons this storyline was so good is that it was developed well. Mickie James debuted to help Trish Stratus. She would continue to help her for a few more weeks after that. That led to Mickie starting to annoy Trish. She started to have issues with Ashley, another one of Trish's friends. Trish Stratus, the face, tried to do the respectable thing and tell Mickie they needed to go their separate ways. It was Mickie James that turned on Trish. By the time that happened, you had a relationship that was developed for months.
The rise and fall of Y2AJ just feels too rushed. No one is saying they had to last as long as The Shield and have the kind of demise they had. Those guys were together for over a year and been through a lot together, including winning titles together and turning face together. You also have to keep in mind that Chris Jericho is a part-timer and that will put some limitations on how his feuds can be developed. Still, just being honest, this feud has not gotten the kind of development as other similar storylines. Of course, it doesn't need to be a masterpiece. It features two respected wrestlers that will get cheered by wrestling fans. A storyline does not need to be perfect to win some "Storyline of the Year" award from some site at the end of 2016.
What could the WWE have done instead of this sudden betrayal angle? How about actually give them the titles? They could have won it last week, lost it at Wrestlemania, and then have Jericho turn on AJ there. They could have won the titles at Wrestlemania, lost shortly after, and then have the turn. How about just kill off the feud after Fastlane completely? I know a lot of fans were hoping for Owens vs. Styles for the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania. There were definitely a few options for AJ Styles. He did not need to face Chris Jericho for the fourth time so soon.
Another thing to consider, who is going to get cheered in this feud? Mickie James was an entertaining heel. That helped her get over with the fans and get cheered at Wrestlemania. Chris Jericho knows how to play a heel. He knows how to do promos. His current heel character is already looking like something that will likely get him cheered at Wrestlemania.
I am not saying AJ Styles will get booed at Wrestlemania. Wrestling fans love him. I am expecting chants for both guys. Thing is, AJ Styles is the guy they are trying to put over here. He is the one whose character has been kind of dull since he debuted. Most of the blame should go to the WWE for not debuting him better. I have said that before many times. I just feel Jericho's character might just bury him. Not intentionally. Jericho is just too good and Styles has not found his groove so far.
Should AJ Styles have been the one to turn? Let him be arrogant. Let him act like Jericho is holding him back. Let him show more character. That is the kind of thing they need to do. I am not a believer that a heel turn is always the answer. In this situation, given that they are running a betrayal storyline, Styles betraying Jericho might have been a good option. If the WWE cannot develop Styles better as a face, give him a heel turn. Fans will cheer Styles because of his wrestling ability. I just do not feel his connection with the overall audience is as strong as it could be.
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