WWE Bell to Bell: Analyzing the AJ, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan Love Triangle

Throughout the course of 2012, AJ has gradually evolved into one of the most compelling characters in WWE today.

Going from a sweet, innocent former NXT Rookie to a lunatic lover, it's safe to say that AJ has made the most shocking transformation of all the Divas this year.

Since the inception of this angle late last year, I've closely observed the number of similarities between AJ's loss of sanity over the last eight months and experiences I've dealt with as a high school student. Drama is almost always a key factor in pro wrestling story-lines, which keeps the viewer entertained throughout the feud.

However, the drama that has been associated with the on-going AJ angle has me drawing countless comparisons with what I've witnessed in my years as a high school student.

That being said, I'll attempt to use my knowledge of said situations to decipher what the ending result will be of this Sunday's WWE Championship match between CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.

Initial Flirting Stage

Where better to begin the analysis of this anticipated angle than at its very beginnings?

Last November, AJ would greet Daniel Bryan backstage during brief encounters that usually saw her wish him best of luck for his upcoming matches.

Of course, this is just a typical case of the girl finding the guy attractive and being the first one to make a move on him.

This would come to be a recurring thing for the remainder of the year, until Daniel Bryan captured his first World Heavyweight Championship at WWE TLC in mid-December. Following his title victory, it was implied that AJ and Bryan had since become something of couple, but it was also around that time that the American Dragon began acting a bit strange.

Oblivious to Getting Used

Heading into the new year, Bryan was engaged in a feud with the two former World Champions, Big Show and Mark Henry, over the strap.

AJ showed concern for Bryan, mostly since both of his competitors outweighed him by a few hundred pounds.

As Daniel Bryan grew cockier as World Heavyweight Champion, AJ was put in an uncomfortable situation. She wasn't liking what he'd become, but she still loved him regardless. Despite listening to her friends' suggestions, AJ was determined on sticking with Bryan through thick and thin.

A few weeks into 2012, AJ was badly injured on an episode of SmackDown due to an inadvertent attack from Big Show. It seemed as if Bryan purposely brought his girlfriend down to ring-side so she could be used as his protection, which subsequently worked in helping him retain his golden prize.

Almost everyone seemed to pick up on this fact over time. Everyone except AJ herself.

Much like in a high school situation, AJ was oblivious to the fact that Bryan was using her to get what he wanted and was never actually interested in her to begin with.

One strong sign of this occurred whenever AJ confessed her love for Bryan, and he'd respond by saying, "I appreciate that." Although I'm no expert on women, I can easily tell you that that is one response no girlfriend ever wants to hear.

Nonetheless, the unhealthy relationship continued on with Bryan verbally abusing AJ on more than one occasion, consistently telling her to "shut up". AJ, being the loyal companion that she was, obeyed Bryan's orders and said nothing else of it.

The Bitter Break-Up

It wasn't until WrestleMania 28 that their relationship took a turn for the worst, as AJ's good luck kiss to Bryan resulted in a "kiss of death".

With the two former NXT Rookies locking lips, Sheamus capitalized on the distraction and proceeded to deliver an opportunistic Brogue Kick to Bryan, thus scoring his first World Heavyweight Championship in the process.

On the subsequent edition of SmackDown, Bryan unceremoniously cut ties with AJ and essentially broke her heart by saying she was nothing more than dead weight.

As I previously stated, it's incredibly common for the selfish boy to dump the girl once he realizes that he got what he wanted, and in Bryan's case, it was the World title.

State of Denial

From that point on, AJ was no longer the energetic, positive, happy-go-lucky Diva that the WWE Universe had grown to love.

She started slipping into a state of madness, which is once again typical of the girl finally realizing she's been used and being told she'll never be happy again.

Although they had already gone their separate ways at this point, Bryan continued to degrade AJ every time they crossed paths backstage or in the ring.

In light of the situation, AJ started entering a state of denial that eventually saw her sever ties with her long-time best friend Kaitlyn.

Growing Jealous

Two months later, AJ shifted her focus to WWE Champion CM Punk, once he began feuding with Bryan over the title.

Like any ex-boyfriend, seeing AJ with another guy brought out the raging jealously in Bryan, thus forcing him to become even more determined in making her life extremely unpleasant.

Once Kane entered the fray, he too grew somewhat attracted to AJ after she made numerous moves on him in the weeks preceding No Way Out in late June. Her infatuation with Kane seemed legitimate at first; she even went as far as to dress up as the Big Red Monster on an edition of Raw.

AJ sealing a kiss on the lips of Kane right in front of Bryan during a tag team match on the flagship show goes to show just how hell-bent she was on making the former United States Champion just as jealous as he was attempting to make her.

That right there is a perfect example of just how sophomoric the actions were of both former NXT alumni, thus making this situation relatable to any heartbroken high school student.

Moreover, AJ's manipulative tactics made her lose sight of what she was really after in the end. It became unclear to almost everyone what she was really trying to sway in her favor.

After Kane broke it off with AJ a few weeks back, she again went back to stalking Punk, who didn't seem interested whatsoever.

Moving Forward

With AJ recently named as the special guest referee for the WWE title match between defending champ CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, the American Dragon is now attempting to get back on the good side of his ex-girlfriend.

But it might be too little too late for that to happen.

Any normal person with a broken heart knows that the best solution to getting over a break-up is to move on, which is exactly what AJ did. As much as Punk might dig crazy chicks, he didn't seem as interested in her as she was in him.

In a strange series of events, AJ confessed her love for Punk by shockingly proposing to him this past week on Raw, thus frightening the Straightedge Superstar even more.

To add to that, Bryan emerged and proposed to AJ as well, in an attempt to get himself back in her good graces.

Like the genuine guy Punk just so happens to be, he let her down easy by declining her marriage proposal and being met with a sadistic slap from AJ.

Although she seemed to be rejoining Bryan as she walked towards him, he too was on the receiving end of a smack to the face at the hands of AJ.

Conclusion

After all AJ's been through this year, who can blame her for her actions? She had her heart broken by Bryan, Kane, and Punk at one point or another, which more than likely would have destroyed any inner-confidence she had left.

Given what occurred on Monday night, one would only assume that AJ's already planning on avenging her heartbreak by getting back on Punk. Following the slap she delivered to Bryan, she now realizes that he only wants her back so he can get what he truly wants: the WWE Championship.

Surely she has a deep hatred for both former Ring of Honor stars for breaking her heart, but as much as she despises Bryan, she'll probably look to cost Punk the WWE Championship come Sunday.

She knows that aiding Punk to victory wouldn't do any thing to help her cause, as she's already done similar things in recent weeks to make him fall in love with her.

Since that didn't end up happening, AJ knows that forcing the Second City Saint to endure the same pain she felt when he declined her this past week could quite possibly make Punk regret that he ever passed up her offer in the first place.

Of course, Bryan might get what he wants in the form of the WWE Championship, but AJ will be happy to know that Bryan might be forever grateful to her, while Punk gets what he has coming for him—or at least in AJ's eyes that is.

With AJ's sophomoric story relatable to almost anyone that has ever had their heart broken, the outcomes to this compelling tale are absolutely endless.

Whether AJ calls it down the middle or not on Sunday remains to be seen, but it can be said that she will most certainly walk away knowing she made the right decision.

Thanks for reading, Bleachers, and be sure to drop a comment below with your thoughts on AJ's traumatizing transformation over the last eight months and what you believe the outcome will be. As always, your criticism and overall feedback on my latest piece is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

GSM out.

Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling, as well as listen to my SAVE US GSM radio show that airs every Thursday night at 10/9c for more of my thoughts and writings, along with WWE/TNA news, reviews, recaps and more.

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