WWE Money in the Bank 2012: How Will AJ Affect the CM Punk-Daniel Bryan Match?

As the World Turns.

Tell me that the first thing you thought of while watching the many twists and turns between CM Punk, AJ,and Daniel Bryan, was not the fact that it was all really beginning to feel like a soap opera.

Yeah, me too.

I make that admission with much hesitation, because to be honest, I for one hate the somewhat obvious comparison between daytime drama and the business of professional wrestling.

“It’s just a male soap opera.”

Man, I really hate that.

But, I have to say, that when it comes to this particular storyline, it’s right on the money.

Everything about this little love triangle, beginning with the night that Daniel Bryan “dumped” AJ, all the way to last Monday Night Raw, with the dual marriage proposal, and everything in between, has just been one huge melodrama after the other.

While we as wrestling fans have admittedly seen much more, and much worse, from Vince McMahon, there really does seem to be a moment that many have finally reached, a moment that this writer is just now experiencing.  The moment?

“Where are they going with this?”

That one.

I’m not suggesting that the whole angle is a complete flop, however.  The truth is, I am a fan of everyone involved, and I think that under the circumstances, each one has done the best they can with what’s been given to them.

But with each passing week, I keep waiting for something to happen, to take the storyline in different directions, and it just seems to keep sitting still.  Perhaps my real problem with the whole thing is not just where it may or may not be heading, but how a certain WWE Champion is behaving in regards to it.

CM Punk is the antihero of his generation.  The Voice of the Voiceless, he is the rebel who stood up to a billionaire and essentially told him to stick it, that he didn’t need the hassle.  He promised a WWE Championship victory, and also promised that he would leave with the belt.  He did exactly that.

Punk’s character does not care about what anyone thinks, and cares even less for authority figures above him.  He is his own man, in every way imaginable.

And, he is getting completely owned by AJ.

While the majority of fans sitting back watching the drama unfold believe it to be the typical twisted WWE love story, I personally see somewhat of a setback happening for Punk’s character.

This just doesn’t feel like him.  Again, this is the guy who stood up to Vince McMahon, spoke his mind on national TV, and essentially held the WWE Title hostage.  And after all of that, what happens?

He gets played by a girl.  And, not just played, but sucked into a situation that, six months ago, he would have smiled at, shook his head, and told Bryan, “she’s all yours, man, good luck with her!”

However, despite my own views on the angle, I cannot deny that it is getting a lot of attention, and let’s be honest.  It’s very hard to turn away when AJ is on the screen.

She is just so unpredictable, a cute little spitfire who took a heartbreak, and redirected that pain back at not only one, but two men.  The fact that she proposed to Punk is just another example of how crazy this thing has gotten, and how convincing she can be in her role.  

When fans look at her, they likely no longer see just a talent playing a role, they see a girl who has completely inhabited the character.  

In other words, she is definitely making it look good. So, how will she affect the WWE Title match between Punk and Bryan on Sunday?

First off, kudos to the decision by WWE upper management to put the company’s most prestigious championship in the hands of the most mentally unstable woman in the locker room.

I mean seriously, do you ever stop sometimes and really think about what’s done for storyline’s sake?  Only pro wrestling fans would take a highly illogical move like this, and fully accept it with little to no argument.

But, I digress.

The fact is, with Looney Toons wearing the striped shirt at Money in the Bank, it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen.  On one hand, she seems to be working awfully hard to heel out at times, showing allegiance to Bryan.  This could be an indication that she will pull a swerve on him at the last minute and side with Punk.

But, there is always the possibility that neither Punk nor Bryan will garner her favor for the match’s outcome.  This is Money in the Bank, remember?

Either Big Show, Chris Jericho, Kane, or John Cena, could hit the ramp following the end of the match, cash in the red briefcase, and become the new WWE Champion.  Again, it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen 

But, if a prediction has to be made, then I will go against conventional thinking that Cena is the definite favorite, and pick Kane to win.  He may have told AJ that he wanted nothing to do with her, but there is something about the two of them together that really intrigues me.

Lita may have been a strong-willed Diva, but Kane had a complete hold over her during their storyline. He was obviously in total control, and he was able to terrorize her as he had terrorized everyone up to that point, and after.

But AJ is different.  So different, that she has gotten into the head of the Big Red Monster.  Turns out being a little wacky is not such a bad thing after all.

She has become so unhinged, that she no longer has any fear.  All of her energy is focused on her warped psyche, which is dictating her every move.  Kane has finally found someone who is not intimidated, but who is actually on the same twisted level that he is.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that we should all start shopping for wedding gifts anytime soon, but, hey, predictions are fun, right?

I for one am very interested to see what will go down in this match on Sunday.  Apart from the five-star bout that we are sure to get from Punk and Bryan, the wild card that will be officiating will undoubtedly make for some interesting moments.

And by interesting I mean daytime drama interesting.  And, yes, I still hate that.