Smackdown recap: AJ sparks drama in WWE storylines

When Michael Cole called AJ the most controversial figure in WWE today on tonight's episode of Smackdown, he wasn't joking.

But it transcends beyond the screen, as one doesn't have to dig too far into Internet message boards and comment threads to find people both praising and complaining the young diva for her recent performances.

Those, like myself, who believe AJ has been knocking the act out of the park, AJ has helped take a hardcore fan's dream feud and make it more suitable to the environment WWE prefers.

She has allowed Daniel Bryan and CM Punk to have an extended feud that grants them the opportunity to showcase their pure wrestling abilities but that also allows for some soap opera storyline drama.

Those who are against AJ's involvement, though, have a number of complaints, most notably that she is overshadowing guys like Punk and Bryan and making the story more about what she's going to do next.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but there is no denying that WWE sees something in AJ, as she has had more consistent television and pay-per-view time than a majority of the roster - including both superstars and divas.

I'm personally hard-pressed to remember a time when a female competitor was this central to a top storyline in WWE. In an environment where divas have been treated as afterthoughts for years, it's refreshing to see.

Not everything has been a home run - such as Cole trying to seduce AJ on live national television while wearing his wedding ring - but AJ has managed to make herself interesting enough that viewers are left to anticipate her next move.

When she started with this program, she played the innocent girl vying for Bryan's love to perfection, but she's really stepped it up since becoming the more psychotic and manipulative character she is now portraying.

AJ has helped make Raw and Smackdown each more entertaining, and this week's live edition of the blue brand was no exception. As the build to Money in the Bank continues, AJ continues to make people wonder what exactly will happen.

The audience has long complained about predictability in recent years, but AJ has taken that and thrown it out the window. And that's a good thing.

 

Quick Hits

 

• The main event that saw Zack Ryder earn the right to be next week's Smackdown general manager was typical fare for this kind of match. There were some subtle and appreciated elements of storytelling to it, though. Ryder eliminated Damien Sandow, playing off their recent issues, and last eliminated former rival Kane. Punk eliminated himself to take out Bryan, as well. Big Show took out John Cena. The fact those little elements kept continuity of past and present alive helped make this match better. It will be interesting to see what Ryder does when he's in charge next Friday.

 

• Cody Rhodes and Christian deserve props for working a frenetic-paced match that delivered big time. These two have wrestled numerous times in the past, but this bout still managed to stand out as being really strong. They went back-and-forth and had several smartly executed nearfalls. With his victory - a clean one at that - Rhodes earned a spot in the Smackdown Money in the Bank match. Given the line-up for that bout, Rhodes just made himself one of the favorites to win.

 

• Dolph Ziggler had an impressive showing against Alex Riley in his victory that allowed him to qualify for Money in the Bank. To be fair, Riley played his role really well, too. I wish we'd be able to see him on television more regularly, even if it is as an enhancement talent. Riley is a capable performer who could make a name for himself once he pays his dues and proves himself committed to WWE. But tonight wasn't his night to do so, as this match was all about Ziggler. The World Heavyweight Championship contract ladder match has another frontrunner.

 

• The sight of Alberto Del Rio demanded to see papers from Hispanic fans in the front row was awkward, to say the least. In the end, Sheamus came out and brawled with Del Rio on the entrance ramp. In the end, Del Rio stood tall after slamming his car hood on Sheamus several times, busting his head wide open. This, paired with the slaughter of Sin Cara on Monday, did help make Del Rio look strong heading into his one-on-one World Heavyweight Championship match.

 

• Antonio Cesaro is no small man, but even he looked very outsized by The Great Khali. They met in a mixed-tag-team match with partners Aksana and Divas Champion Layla, respectively. Cesaro spent much of his portion of the match selling for Khali, which was unfortunate, while the women gave the bout its ending, as Laya rightfully pinned Aksana. At least Cesaro got on TV.