WWE Over the Limit 2012: How the PPV Is Shaping Up so Far

Over the Limit 2012 has the unenviable task of following two great WWE pay-per-views in WrestleMania 28 and Extreme Rules. 

Fans may be weary from three PPVs in a span of two months, perhaps a little light in the wallet as well, but it looks like this will be another excellent show. 

It won't have the star power or hype of WrestleMania, nor will it have the advantage of added brutality and gimmick matches of Extreme Rules. 

This event won't draw in casual fans, but should satisfy those who decide to tune in. 

Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

The addition of Jericho and Orton adds a buzz to the World Heavyweight Championship match. 

We'll have to see if the action becomes muddled and overcrowded once the bell rings, but at least on paper, fans can look forward to an exciting match. 

There isn't a ton of buildup to this Fatal 4-Way just yet, but there is more than enough talent present to make up for that. 

Del Rio is offered another shot to win over more fans here with a great performance.  There seemed to be a collective groan when he was announced as Sheamus' challenger.

Should Del Rio shine in this matchup, we may see him battle Sheamus a number of times, garnering respect along the way. 

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan

This will be the highlight of the night.

Two of WWE's best all-around wrestlers face off in what could be the opener to a great set of battles between them. 

Bryan has earned a spot in the main event spotlight by evolving and growing as a heel.  His intangibles have caught up to his in-ring abilities.

In Ring of Honor and with WWE, he and Punk have already shown they have fantastic chemistry together and fans are eager to see them go at it again. 

As good as this can be, there will probably be better matches between them as their bad blood grows.  Is this the feud both men will be mired in come SummerSlam?

The casual fans who ordered WrestleMania just for the Rock or Extreme Rules just for Brock won't be interested in the Internet's favorite sons doing what they do best, but the rest of us will. 

Layla vs. Beth Phoenix

While this will be light years better than any match involving the Bellas, I don't have a lot of faith in WWE making the most of any Divas match.  

As talented as Phoenix is, the majority of her title reign was spent in throwaway matches.

It seems too early to have Phoenix win back the title.  Layla's return didn't get much of a reaction—proof of a general apathy toward her.  

Unless Kharma gets involved somehow, I don't see this being anything fans will remember after the event.  

John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis

Where this match takes us will make or break Over the Limit. 

This has the potential to be an embarrassing dud with a long retired wrestler involved. 

Comparisons to Vince McMahon vs. Steve Austin have been made ever since Mr. Excitement ambushed Cena.  This won't touch that classic feud.

The emotional buildup and the prestige of the men involved made McMahon/Austin a classic. 

Cena and Laruinaitis don't have enough history yet. And as well as Laurinaitis has done at times, he doesn't have nearly the heat McMahon had. 

This is not going to feature crisp ring work or a satisfying resolution, but we may be seeing the beginning to a bigger story. 

Lord Tensai is sure to be involved somehow. 

Will he serve to elevate this match or clutter it?

Additional Matches

Over the next few weeks, we'll see the card grow.  Who gets added to it will help determine Over the Limit's potential. A good pairing against Cody Rhodes would improve the PPV's quality. 

Some fans may be tired of Big Show and Rhodes facing each other, but it makes sense to have a more definitive end to their feud. 

I don't think we're in steel cage territory between them yet, but another match is certainly in order.

Dolph Ziggler has to be featured somewhere on the card. Throwing him as an afterthought into some crowded six-man tag team match is not enough, either. Choosing a quality opponent for the Show Off will improve the card.

Will Kofi Kingston and R-Truth face the Usos or have a rematch with Epico and Primo? Where do Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar fit into all of this?

Depending on how these questions are answered, Over the Limit might be downgraded to solid, but missable. Or it might be another great PPV in an already thrilling year for WWE.