WWE Over the Limit 2012 Review: Christian Emerges as Night's Biggest Surprise

Forget about CM Punk's controversial near-brush with defeat against Daniel Bryan. Don't bother with The Big Show's rescue of foe-turned-ally John Laurinaitis in the main event against John Cena.

Who would've imagined that Christian would be the biggest surprise coming out of WWE Over the Limit on Sunday night?

Then again, if he was the biggest surprise, shouldn't it have been a shock that he was in the fray in the first place?

Have I already blown your mind beyond repair?

Christian did more than enough in North Carolina to earn distinction as both the most intriguing story of the day in professional wrestling and the latest Intercontinental Champion. The former Triple Crown and Grand Slam guru wasn't expected to partake in the festivities at all, but opted to make an entrance in time for the People Power Battle Royal anyway.

He managed to outlast 20 other combatants in what proved to a wild free-for-all, in which he finished off The Miz to remain as the last man standing.

That effort earned Christian the opportunity to challenge either United States Champion Santino Marella or International Champion Cody Rhodes later on in the show. Christian chose Marella at first, but later chose to challenge Rhodes for his belt, adding yet another twist to the proceedings.

Christian capped off his rapid rise back to the top of the WWE with a crushing Killswitch to strip Rhodes of his title, making himself the Intercontinental Champion for the fourth time in his illustrious career. It's a testament to Christian's popularity, stamina and longevity that he's still able to climb the ladder of the WWE nearly 17 years after first breaking onto the professional wrestling scene.

Whether his latest reign is made to last remains to be seen, though given the frequency with which the Intercontinental title has changed hands of late, it wouldn't be all that surprising if Christian's is a brief one.

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