WWE Over The Limit 2012 Review

I know many of you weren't sold on the PPV given the lack of big matches on the card (and I don't blame you), but the WWE has put forth another quality PPV that all in all, was pretty worth the money in my book.  Find out why in my review of OTL after the jump!




Prior to the show, Zack Ryder continued his losing streak by falling to the Big Red Machine Kane in what was a surprisingly good match.

Match 1: Battle Royal for the right to fight for either the United States or Intercontinental Championship (winner's choice)

As soon as I realized Christian was in this match, I got excited.  I immediately realized that one of if  not THE most reliable performers in the entire company had returned and the thought of him getting a run with either belt was a bit mouth watering for me.  What was even more intriguing, was the possibility that we could see a Cody Rhodes vs. Christian title match tonight.  A man can dream right?  I mean there's no way that the IWC could have two dream matches tonight right?  The WWE would never cater to the audience that hates them so passionately would they?  I mean come on, there's no way--


Winner: Christian (God bless you Vince McMahon)

Match Rating: **1/2

On a side note, the finishing sequence between Christian and The Miz was very well done.  It was a thrilling Royal Rumble style ending and I loved every second of it.

Welcome back Captain Charisma.  My TV wasn't the same without your hideously smug face every week

Match 2:: WWE Tag Team Championship match: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth(c) vs. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger

The tag champs were very over with the audience tonight and they delivered another exciting and highly entertaining performance here.  As usual, the scene stealer in this act was Dolph Ziggler, again showing why he's widely considered amongst the top performers in the company.  Great back and forth, fast paced action here resulting in a better than usual WWE tag title match.  Slowly but surely, the division is getting some footing and more PPV matches like this can only help.  Dolph and Kofi are just too good together and their chemistry alone could anchor another two matches between these teams if that's the direction they plan on going after this.  Good work.


Winner and STILL Tag Team Champions: Kofi Kingston and R Truth

Match Rating: ***1/4

As Kingston and Truth celebrate, Vickie considers finding some new clients

Match 3:: Divas Championship match: Layla(c) vs. Beth Phoenix

Wow.  What a great match this turned out to be (Layla's annoying Power Ranger battle cries aside).  Beth deserves all the credit in the world here for shouldering much of the load and turning in the strongest divas match we've seen in a while.  I loved the creative ways she worked Layla's surgically repaired knee and the storytelling here was solid as well.  This is as close to a David vs. Goliath divas match they could do right now.  That being said, they did a terrific job.  There was a pretty audible Kharma chant here though, and I too am growing impatient waiting for her return and inevitable division saving feud with Phoenix.  On an unrelated side note, Beth Phoenix was rocking some much sexier (and tighter) ring attire tonight.  It became a bit of a chore trying to boo her in that outfit.  More please.


Winner and STILL Divas Champion: Layla

Match Rating: ***

Trending worldwide: Beth Phoenix's pants

Match 4:: Fatal 4 Way for the World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus(c) vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

This match was everything I wanted it to be (and a bit more).  Fatal 4 Way matches can often times be a mess (thus explaining the WWE's cancellation of the annual F4W PPV), but this one was fast paced, exciting and a great warmup for the dying crowd.  Sheamus' title run has gained some more steam after his big win here, however the real stars of the show were Orton and Jericho, who each had some spectacular spots throughout the entirety of the match.  Del Rio, not to be outdone, had his moment in the spotlight as well.  Here you have four men in one contest and only one winning, yet still, no man leaves looking weak.  This is not an easy task, so these guys should be commended for the work they did here. In fact, this four way was so good, I'd pay to see a rematch.  I know the smarky folks here on the Internet are going to bitch and moan about Jericho earning his fifth PPV loss (and third pinfall) here, but who cares, the guy looked great in this match and it wasn't even until my second viewing that I even realized it was him that got pinned.  Fantastic match that's easily the second best match of the night.  Judging by the ending, it also looks as if Sheamus will continue to feud with Randy Orton.  Fine by me.  Orton is the perfect guy to help legitimize his reign even further.


Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus

Match Rating: ****

Another great night for the Great White

Match 5: The Miz vs. Brodus Clay

Miz had a solid amount of crowd support here.  Too bad crowd support doesn't really mean shit these days.  This whole segment was so poorly done that all I kept thinking was I'm glad I'm not The Miz right now.  To quote the Awesome One, Really?!  REALLY!?  The Miz is going to try and dance......REALLY!?  Seriously....WTF was this supposed to accomplish.  The only thing more awkward than this moment was the fact that The Miz' music kept playing through Brodus Clay's introduction.  I've had enough of this crap.  The Miz must have teabagged Triple H while he was asleep or something because this was just humiliating.  I know I'm usually pretty positive on all things WWE, but I've hated this guy (Clay) from the very beginning.  It was honestly because I knew this day would come.  The day when a former WWE Champion would job to the slob.  Oh, and did King really say that "no one can jiggle like the Fankasaurus"?  Is that supposed to be a compliment?  What the hell is going on here!?  Am I in an alternate universe where giant fat guys in leotards are must see television?  Sigh....I'll be right back.  I've got to go insert needles into my eyes again....


Winner: Brodus Clay

Match Rating: *

Sadly, the needles hurt much less than the sight of this

Match 6:: Intercontinental Championship match: Cody Rhodes(c) vs. Christian

This was a quick little match that left a little more to be desired.  That's not a knock.  The match was good, but it was a little short.  That's fine by me.  It was just a taste of what's to come.  These two men are the perfect candidates to really give the IC title the respect it deserves.  From the work they did here, you could see there's tons of potential for some truly great matches down the line.  Nice to see Cody get to work with someone who could really "go" again.  Good match.  It's also interesting to note that Christian came right off injury and pulled double duty tonight.  Really shows how much respect he has as a worker in the eyes of WWE management.


Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Christian

Match Rating: **3/4

Christian marvels at his fourth IC title

Match 7:: WWE Championship match: CM Punk(c) vs. Daniel Bryan

The match everyone has been waiting for.  Pretty much the sole reason anyone even ordered this PPV.  With that level of anticipation, could they deliver?  YES! YES! YES!  For a while here I forgot I was even watching a WWE match.  This was a scientific, stiff, ROH style contest and it more than lived up to the huge expectations I had for it.  Loads of innovative offense from both men and they now have a Match of the Year candidate to add to their previous two Match of the Month battles from earlier this year.  The crowd was pretty split here and rightfully so.  There are no two men more evenly matched in the ring than CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.  The crowd knew what they came here for, and they showed us why in this match.  Again adding the proverbial "third man" to what would be an instant classic in an empty arena.  There were some pretty cool chants in this match including one for Ring Of Honor and my the often overblown "this is awesome!" chant.  Brilliant.  Just fucking brilliant.  There are few matches the WWE can produce that will live up to this one, so stop looking for reasons to complain and enjoy it for what it is, one of the best WWE title matches of all time!  Bravo gentlemen.  You earn a standing ovation from me for a job very well done.  Thank you for making this PPV well worth the money.


Winner and STILL WWE Champion: CM Punk

Match Rating: ****3/4 (MUST SEE)

Best Champion in the World ticker: 183 days and counting...

Match 8: Ryback vs. Camacho

Again Ryback looked like an absolute BEAST here.  Destroying Camacho and further earning his "Goldberg" chants from the live audience.  It's becoming more and more of a massive compliment, given the terrific booking he's received thus far.  I can't wait to see him fight for a world title. He's going to be quite the challenge for anyone he faces.  *cough* Sheamus *cough*


Winner: Ryback

Match Rating: **1/2

Initiating.....Maximum Rapage Protocol.....

IT'S NOW TIME FOR OUR MAIN EVENT

Match 9: John Cena vs. John Laurintaitis

This match was a complete joke of a main event.  It was a complete joke of a match in general.  Cena toys around with Johnny for twenty minutes until the predictable arrival of Big Show.  Show then hits Cena with the WMD, costing him the victory here.  It was insulting to watch this match after the masterful work done earlier by Punk and Bryan.  Hell, this match wasn't even good enough to follow the borderline sexual assault Ryback gave to Camacho just prior.  Whatever.  Cena lost.  Cena haters worldwide rejoiced.  People Power!


Winner: John Laurinaitis

Match Rating: *3/4

Operation Troll the WWE audience was a massive success BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!

Final Thoughts


All in all, this was another solid PPV outing from the WWE.  It may have not had any real "money" matches like Rock/Cena, HHH/Undertaker or Lesnar/Cena, but as far as in ring work goes, it's easily one of the better PPVs of the year.  Still, the lack of "big time" matches and the overall predictability of the show hurt the excitement factor a bit.  To put it simply, I would recommend anyone watch the show all the way through Punk/Bryan and then stop.  You will leave satisfied and thoroughly entertained.


Overall PPV Score: 7.5/10






PPV Awards


Match of the Night: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan
Performers of the Night: CM Punk and Daniel Bryan
Moment of the Night: Christian's IC title win
Segment of the Night: CM Punk's backstage promo
Surprise of the Night: I would say Big Show's return, but it was pretty predictable