WWE Over the Limit 2012 Results: John Laurinaitis Stunt Shows Lack of New Stars

WWE exposed its weakness.

Over the Limit 2012 went well for the most part. CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan ended up being a hit, and the match’s controversial ending only allowed the plot to thicken. But John Laurinaitis’ matchup with John Cena wasn’t exactly must-watch television.

Big Show stepped in to Laurinaitis’ aid and knocked out Cena. Many professional wrestling fans weren’t fond of the ending. Kofi Kingston joined the confused and tweeted:

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Sooooo..... Big show helped the man who made him drop to his knees and cry in front of the entire world??? I don't get it...

— Kofi Kingston (@TrueKofi) May 21, 2012"

Dan Hevia of Examiner.com wrote that the WWE’s failure to breed up-and-coming stars is beginning to backfire:

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While this was the only logical way to keep Laurinaitis around without wasting a Brock Lesnar appearance, Cena and Big Show first feuded over 8 years ago. If anything is a perfect example of the lack of new stars being created, it’s going to this well once again.

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In order for any professional sport to survive, stars must be replaced.

As much as the NBA would’ve loved Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to play forever, that isn’t possible. That trio was replaced by the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Even with Shaq retiring this past season and Kobe's clock ticking, the NBA is in no danger of losing popularity even though it's a league that centers it's marketing on it's stars.

While the NBA is an example of a thriving league, boxing is one of a dying sport.

As an individual competition, boxing can't get away with selling a franchise like the NFL and MLB do so well as opposed to a specific athlete. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are the only nationally-known names left. Once those two superstars retire, the sport's relevancy will be threatened with extinction.

John Cena is 35 years old and made his WWE debut in 2001. Big Show is 40 and has been around professional wresting since 1995. John Laurinaitis is 46 and has been in pro wrestling since 1985.

WWE needs to develop new stars. That’s the only way to create new fans. And on top of that, old fans will forsake the show when the old stars that they grew up watching retire.

If WWE fails to accomplish that goal, they will eventually suffer the same downfall as boxing.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels