WWE Over the Limit Results 2012: CM Punk Defeats Daniel Bryan to Keep WWE Title

In a match that no doubt had the Ring of Honor wrestling crowd smiling, CM Punk defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the WWE championship at Over The Limit on Sunday night with a controversial finish.

Bryan had the champion in the Yes Lock, but Punk managed to roll the challenger onto his back and force a pin and the victory, only tapping out after the bell. As the champion celebrated in the ring, an incredulous Bryan pleaded his case with the referee to no avail. 

Punk and Bryan have had several battles on WWE television in recent months, but they had yet to clash on pay-per-view in a match this high profile. It was a nice change of pace since Bryan wouldn't normally be put in such a big spot on the show. 

Bryan was coming off a two-month feud with Sheamus over the World title, but that championship is treated like the evil stepchild of the company and no one really takes it seriously. 

The fact that Bryan was even given the spot in this match has to be considered a win in its own right. WWE has shown good faith in him, especially after the backlash that was heaped upon the creative team after the WrestleMania fiasco. 

Punk, on the other hand, just keeps plugging along. He and the WWE championship are in an interesting position right now. 

On the one hand. Punk has been champion for seven months now. That is the longest reign since Triple H in 2008, which is good because the title was getting so diluted by being passed around so much. 

On the flip side, the WWE championship hasn't been the featured match on a pay-per-view since Tables, Ladders and Chairs in December. That doesn't exactly make it seem like the crown jewel of WWE. 

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