WWE Rumors: AJ, John Laurinaitis and Monday's Top WWE Buzz

With WWE’s Monday Night Raw approaching fast and the Money in the Bank pay-per-view this weekend, there is a general calm before the storm.

As much as the company goes into a holding pattern with their go-home shows, it is even worse now because the WWE is building to both the PPV and the 1000th RAW. With that said, the company will not be making any big waves until those events are over.

The wrestling industry comes in waves, and it’s obvious that the WWE has put all of their chips in on this special 1000th edition of RAW on July 23. While that episode will be great, they have forgotten all about the wrestling leading up to it.

Here is to hoping WWE realizes the error of their ways and gives the fans a great RAW and an even better Money in the Bank PPV. Just making the latter great would be acceptable, too.

While the news is slow on this Monday, things can change on a dime so keep it here for all of the latest WWE Rumors, news and chatter!

AJ Has Become a Star

If you haven’t fallen in love with AJ’s character, you are missing out on the most interesting diva of the last 10 years in the WWE. Not since the attitude era has the company created a diva that the fans have cared about in a legitimate way.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Why can’t WWE push more female wrestlers?

While AJ is a wrestler, she is acting as a valet to the WWE champion instead of a star on her own. That is the exact same way the company treated Miss Elizabeth, but the difference is that AJ can work. As we have seen, AJ can be a solid in-ring wrestler.

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 crazy chicks

The feeling around the wrestling world is that WWE has shifted into neutral with the women’s division because of the wait for Kharma. Now that she is reportedly back and ready to go, the hope is that the feud between Kharma and Beth Phoenix will begin sooner rather than later.

Deeper Dive: AJ Ranked as 'Most Influential Female Athlete' (Wrestling Inc)

John Laurinaitis Gets Closer to the Unemployment Line

I know that the majority of casual fans hated John Laurinaitis and his on-screen character, but the truth is you were supposed to. As we have seen since, both shows were better when there was a clear heel in charge.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Have we seen the last of Johnny Ace?

With more and more of Johnny Ace’s backstage jobs being given to other people, there is a feeling around the wrestling world and around the WWE that the longtime EVP of talent relations may be on his way out of WWE.

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 deep-voice promos

As much as fans hated Laurinaitis, I thought that was his job. The WWE had some real momentum and hate breeding from the fans for the authority figure, but they got too impatient and ended it. As we have seen in the weeks since, it’s like the wild west without him.

Deeper Dive: John Laurinaitis Stripped of Real-Life Duties (WrestleZone via PWOnline)

WWE Gets a Good Pac

While many WWE fans will see this headline and think that X-Pac will be making his way back to the ring, this is a much more talented Pac. The company hardly goes after the high fliers, but the British star is one of the most talented risk-takers in the world.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will WWE underutilize him?

Pac is widely considered the man that gravity forgot because of his ridiculous moves from the top rope and his willingness and ability to jump off or through anything. The man has made quite the name on the Indy scene, but WWE signing him comes as a shock.

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 changes in philosophy

Over the years, WWE has amassed what would amount to a great cruiserweight division in terms of the talent they already have. Adding in a few experienced independent stars like Pac is the kind of kick start the WWE’s X division would need to catch traction with non-Indy fans.

Deeper Dive: Pac Joining WWE (NoDQ.com)

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If you need more wrestling, catch last week’s Ring Rust Radio King of the Ring tournament or listen to this week’s episode with ECW legend New Jack and Bleacher Report’s own Justin LaBar and Brian Mazique.

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Check back for more on the World Wrestling Entertainment as it comes, and visit Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of WWE/TNA. For more Wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss (some language NSFW).

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