WWE Extreme Rules 2012: AJ Will Be X-Factor in Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan Match

The love saga between Daniel Bryan and AJ is far from over. Instead, it's just getting started and we'll see AJ make an even bigger impact on this feud with Sheamus than she did at WrestleMania 28 when she "cost" D-Bry the World Heavyweight Championship.

WWE has done a fantastic job with the AJ-Bryan love story. Heading into WrestleMania, Bryan would constantly use AJ to help him retain his championship. When her kiss led to an 18-second Title loss to Sheamus, he effectively dumped her and alienated her in front of the public.

Still, AJ sees the good in D-Bry and desperately wants to get back together. Either that, or she's playing mind games with Bryan. That's where the fun comes in heading into Extreme Rules because it's evident that AJ will be the determining factor for who comes out on top.

AJ can go two ways:

1. She can help Bryan regain the championship, which would then put these two estranged love birds back together.

2. She can deliberately cost Bryan the Championship, which would then further their break up and cement her position as a true babyface.

With two solid options, WWE can't go wrong. However, one option is clearly for the better of all parties involved. We need to see AJ cost Sheamus the Championship and reunite with D-Bry. 

They may have given the ending away with the release of the No Way Out PPV poster, which features AJ tying up Bryan in a rope on train tracks. Though promotional posters don't always have anything to do with what will happen and was most likely created several weeks ago, it is still a telling sign for anybody looking at some shining light on a potential winner.

Bryan has done a great job with his heel character and the fans have embraced the entertaining 'YES!" chants. To date, Sheamus hasn't done much as champion and would be better suited playing a face that chases a squirmy heel than being a dominant face Champ.

WWE has just scratched the surface with the potential of the AJ and Bryan relationship and the feud between Bryan and Sheamus that could be among the best of 2012. Bryan needs the World Heavyweight Championship back around his waist and the only conceivable way for him to regain the Title right now is if AJ costs Sheamus the match.