The WWE hasn't produced a No Way Out event in three years. Many even questioned bringing the PPV back at all. Did this year's show live up to the hype? Find out after the jump in my review of No Way Out 2012!
Match 1: World Heavyweight Championship match: Sheamus(c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
First off, I want to go on the record saying that I am 100% on board with the elevation of Dolph Ziggler. The guy is arguably, the best in ring performer in the world right now and he deserves to be given a shot at the top of the card. That being said, I was a bit let down with this match. It wasn't bad by any means, but I had higher hopes for it going in. Dolph was almost creepy in how close he resembled Shawn Michaels in this match. He bumped around for Sheamus in a very similar manner to HBK circa 1995 and he was just tremendous here. This wasn't his best performance by any means, but it was enough to prove to any doubters that he was worthy of the spot he was given here. As for Sheamus, this contest won't do too much to further solidify his reign coming off two of his best career matches in the last two PPVs, but he again left looking like a deserving and credible champion once the dust settled. However, it's interesting to note just how much more over with the crowd Dolph was, it reminds me a bit of the recent rise of Daniel Bryan. It seems the WWE Universe has chosen him to be the next breakout superstar. It's also interesting to note that the live audience never seemed to fully recover after this match. Whether it's because Ziggler is just that damn good or because of the dismal match that followed.....well....I'll let you decide. All in all, it was great opener and you got what you expected from both men, but not much more.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus
Match Rating: ***1/2
Pictured: Ziggler showing Sheamus the fastest way off of the turnbuckle
Match 2:: Tuxedo match: United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Ricardo Rodriguez
As I was typing that title, I was a bit ashamed to punch in the words "United States Champion" prior to Santino Marella's name. Don't get me wrong, Marella has been one of the more entertaining and hilarious superstars of all time, but around his waist, the US title has become perhaps the greatest punch line. This match is a testament to that. It was complete shit. In fact, it was a criminal waste of time and the gags only served to piss you off instead of making you chuckle. A complete FAIL.
Winner: Santino Marella
Match Rating: DUD
This joke sort of just tells itself
Match 3:: Intercontinental Championship match: Christian(c) vs. Cody Rhodes
This match was outstanding. It was so good that it almost made that eyefuck of a Tuxedo match forgivable. Brilliant work here by both men who've done more for the IC title in one match than has been done in all of 2012. This match should now serve as the blueprint for what a modern day IC title match should be. Fast paced, exciting and a showcase of athleticism between two competitors knocking on the main event door. Granted, Christian has already flirted with main even status, but here he shows his true worth. He has proven to be the perfect man for the belt right now. Cody however, has possibly gained even more from this match, further establishing himself has the man to watch in 2012. Look for this contest to make the WWE's Best PPV Matches of 2012 DVD come years end. If not for the slightly dead crowd, it could have easily been a contender for Match of the Year.
Winner and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Christian
Match Rating: ****
The future looks bright for both the IC title and Cody Rhodes
Match 4:: Fatal Four Way match to determine the #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championship: Primo and Epico w/Rosa Mendes and AW vs. Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel vs. The Primetime Players vs. The Usos
This match was a lot better than I expected it to be. I was pleasantly surprised that the Tag titles were presented as something worth fighting for by having four up and coming teams fight it out on PPV for the right to face the champs (Kofi Kingston and R-Truth). I love the team of Kidd and Gabriel and believe they could truly offer something new and exciting to the WWE audience if given the chance. Still, the real stars here were Darren Young and Titus O'neil. The Primetime Players have done a terrific job of getting over lately and are very deserving of a shot at the gold. I also love the fact that AW was the wild card here, turning on Primo and Epico and aiding Young and O'neil. I can't believe I'm about to say this but I actually care about the tag division again. That is the true win here. Oh, and of course having Rosa Mendes on my TV again doesn't hurt.
Winners: The Primetime Players
Match Rating: ***
Perhaps there's hope for tag team wrestling in the WWE after all
Match 5:: Divas Championship match: Layla(c) vs. Beth Phoenix
I find it hard to review this match. It wasn't the total shits, but I really feel as if it had no purpose on the card. Now before the over-opinionated pro Diva fans bury the shit out of me, let me explain. Over the past year, Beth Phoenix has done a tremendous job carrying the Divas division (and everyone in it) on her back. With the return of Layla, they now have another babyface diva with solid in-ring ability to help elevate the title. Well....so they thought. This match really fell flat due to the WWE Univere's anxiety over the apparent stalling of Kharma's return. I don't know if it's something they are saving for one of the bigger PPVs (Summerslam) or if she's just plain not ready, but it's hurting the interest in the already unpopular division. Beth has run out of believable competition, and it's made even more obvious here when even in defeat, she manages to outclass the hell out of the reigning champion, making the whole title seem irrelevant in the process. That's my beef with this match. The live audience said it best. "WE WANT KHARMA!". And we want her soon.
Winner and STILL Divas Champion: Layla
Match Rating: *3/4
The weight of an entire division has now proven to be too much for the Glamazon
Match 6:: Sin Cara vs. Hunico w/Camacho
I find it sorry to say that I believe the Sin Cara character has prematurely run it's course. It's sad to note that there are more kids wearing Rey Mysterio masks, given the fact that Rey has been off TV for nearly a year now. As far as the match goes, it was OK, but I couldn't really get into it for the reasons I've just provided. Another filler match that did nothing to further the show or either superstar involved.
Winner: Sin Cara
Match Rating: **
The match was almost as confusing as this photo
Match 7:: Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship: CM Punk(c) vs. Kane vs. Daniel Bryan
WOW! This match blew me away. I should not have been surprised, given the amount of talent involved, but I did not have high hopes for this match as I am not the biggest fan of triple threats or Kane as of late. I have to say that this match fully restored my faith in both. Punk and Bryan were their usual amazing selves here, but Kane was a pleasant surprise. There is something about his chemistry with these two that brings the best out of him and it made for his best match since returning in December. The storytelling done here was top-notch as well. CM Punk has emerged as arguably, the best WWE Champion since Bret Hart, in terms of being able to have consistently brilliant matches against a wide variety of opponents night after night after night. As for Bryan, one is left unsure of what to make of him now that AJ has shifted focus onto Punk and Kane. My guess is he'll be one of the participants (and possible winner) in the Raw Money in the Bank match next month. Speaking of AJ, she again played her role masterfully here and has now become the most over diva in the company and should be commended for the fantastic job she has done since being inserted into this feud. Differing opinions aside, everyone involved proved their worth tonight and I thought all three men were showcased evenly and neither challenger looked weak in defeat. Great Match!
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: CM Punk
Match Rating: ****
CM Punk clotheslines his way to another succesful title defense
Match 8: Ryback vs. Jobbers 99 & 100
Ryback is a machine. Ryback is the next big thing. Ryback loves to rape jobbers. This shit never gets old.
Winner: Ryback
Match Rating: *3/4
I'd like to dedicate this photo to the family of Jobber 99, shown above just moments before his death
IT'S NOW TIME FOR OUR MAIN EVENT
Match 9:: Steel Cage match: John Cena w/Vince McMahon vs. Big Show w/John Laurinaitis
OK. Let me make this very simple. This was not a good match. It was not the worst match of the night, nor was it a total letdown. What this match was, is pretty much everything you expected it to be. In all fairness, I don't think anyone ordered this PPV expecting to see a classic here. However, what's far more intriguing, is the fact that John Cena has been in the strangest career limbo I have ever seen in my lifelong obsession with pro wrestling. I don't know if it's because he has accomplished so much that the only thing the WWE can do with him is shove him into pointless feuds (most of which we've already seen) and hope they get something passable out of it, but something has to be done here. As much as John loves to bash The Rock for leaving for Hollywood, it's arguable that it was the right move. Once a superstar transcends the title scene and in many ways, the company itself, there really is not much you can do with a performer of that caliber. It's strange that in wrestling, that the more over and valuable you become, the harder it becomes to keep things interesting. That is where John Cena is now. Perhaps he should be used as sparingly as Brock Lesnar, so that mouths would water at the thought of his very appearance and he would never have to muddle around in dumbass matches like this one. Perhaps the only thing worse, is the fact that they slowed the awesome momentum that Big Show had built up over the past month. This whole match was a lose-lose situation. You do not want that in a PPV main event. Once again, the WWE has made the criminal mistake of placing CM Punk's WWE title match lower on the card and once again, it was THAT match that stole the show. Something has to be done here. One of the million "yes" men (no not you, Daniel Bryan fans) that pander to Vince McMahon and Triple H, needs to stand up and stop this bullshit before people start tuning out the minute the WWE title match is over. And more importantly, someone needs to find something useful for John Cena.
Winner: John Cena
Match Rating: **1/2
Another frustraing loss for the world's largest athlete
Final Thoughts
I don't want to say that this PPV was a waste, because more then likely, whomever decided to order it knew what they were getting into. There were some definite high spots with the WWE, World and IC title matches, but the rest of the show fell a bit flat. Not to mention that we have had a laughable PPV main event for two straight months now. Also....where the hell is The Miz? Maybe he decided to sit this one out because one thing's for sure, awesome, this PPV was not. Worst of the year thus far.
Overall PPV Score: 6/10
PPV Awards
Match of the Night: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
Performer of the Night: Christian
Moment of the Night: The finishing sequence of the IC title match
Segment of the Night: Triple H challenges Brock Lesnar to a match at Summerslam
Surprise of the Night: Nothing worth noting here
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