Why AJ Is the Best WWE Female Character Since Mickie James

Considering how shoddily WWE's booking team has usually treated their female wrestlers—often treating them as afterthoughts on television or greatly reducing their on-screen time—it is a pleasant surprise to see that SmackDown Diva AJ Lee has emerged as one of the (few) highlights of WWE programming in recent times.

With her girl-next-door good looks, bubbly charisma and nerdy, endearing personality, it's very possible AJ would have stood out amongst the generic crop of Divas anyway.

However, it is her current character that has established her prominence on WWE television, as she participates in one of the biggest storylines in the company.

The most interesting female character to come along since Mickie James was stalking Trish Stratus back in 2006, AJ is presented on WWE TV as an obsessive, highly manipulative vixen capable of wrapping three of the company's top performers—Kane, Daniel Bryan and CM Punk—around her little finger.

As this engrossing storyline plays out, several question have emerged: What does she want with Kane? Is she still in love with ex-boyfriend Daniel Bryan? Are her feelings for WWE Champion CM Punk genuine?

No one is quite sure yet. Presumably in the weeks to come we'll find out what AJ's dastardly plan is, and we will get a clear sense of whether she is supposed to be a heel or face. (At the moment her heel/face status is unclear. She helped babyface CM Punk retain his world title at No Way Out, but her transparent manipulating of Kane is definitely heelish behaviour.)

But, even if the result is inconclusive, two things are for sure: This angle is one of the most compelling storylines in the company, and AJ is one of the greatest female characters the company has ever had.

It helps that the character diverges so much from what we've previously seen out of most women in WWE. Fans are generally used to their women being either bland good girls (Kelly Kelly, Kaitlyn) or vain, catty heels (Eve Torres, Maxine), but the deranged, maniacal AJ is something else entirely. She acts out, she's highly emotional, she says and does crazy things—and we are utterly engrossed by her, watching on eagerly to see what she does next.

While we should praise the booking team for coming up with such a unique female character, most of the credit for AJ's success should undoubtedly go to the woman herself.

Whether she is flirting outrageously with "The Big Red Monster" Kane or attempting to seduce CM Punk backstage, AJ is entirely convincing, like Mickie before her was. 

AJ may be the best actress currently in the company. No other woman on the roster seems to have her range or ability to play such a difficult, compelling character.

With her skills, charisma and fan support, the former NXT star seems headed for big things in WWE. Now let's just hope the promotion can come up with a suitable pay-off for this current CM Punk angle, and one that serves as a good stepping stone for the diva going forward.