WWE Over the Limit 2012: Why Fans Should Demand Their Money Back

The aftermath of the WWE Over the Limit pay-per-view is here. While the PPV purposed to deliver some shock value, unfortunately, it fell flat. Instead, for the most part, it was rather predictable and felt like an edition of Raw or SmackDown.

Here is a match-by-match analysis of the event.

Pre-Show: Kane vs. Zack Ryder

Wasn't a horrible match, but the interest lacked what it could have had if the build was better. This match was thought about taking place at Wrestlemania, so at one point in time it was that important. Now, just a pre-show match to a minor PPV. I would say that it gives Kane momentum, but I highly doubt it will.

"People Power" Battle Royal (winner fights his choice of opponent for the US or IC Title): The Great Khali, Miz, JTG, Ezekiel Jackson, Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, Michael McGuillicuty, Yoshi Tatsu, Tyson Kidd, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Jinder Mahal, Drew McIntyre, Heath Slater, Darren Young, Titus O'Neil, Alex Riley, David Otunga, William Regal, Christian

Perfect picture of WWE having a bunch of talent, but nothing to do with them. Of course we will not see a battle royal every month, so most of them will fall into the "we have nothing for you" line again. At least it was a decent battle royal, and it is great to see Christian back. Much needed face turn for Christian. Every time his music hits, he gets pops, and he has to force heat out of the crowd when he gets on the mic.

R-Truth/Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger/Dolph Ziggler

Predictable match. Flat in the beginning, picked up toward the end, but still predictable. The WWE is not going to pull the plug on R-Truth and Kofi's reign as champs quite yet, which is a good idea. Like I've said before, they should have a long title reign to put the tag division back on the map.

Layla vs. Beth Phoenix

A clean win by Layla? Unacceptable. How are we supposed to get excited for an "Hogan vs. Andre"-like feud between Kharma and Beth Phoenix if she can't even get past Layla (who has a bummed knee by the way). Terrible ending. A disqualification due to Phoenix uncontrollably beating up Layla would have been much better. And please, WWE: change Layla's music. She's a babyface now. That music just does not work for her anymore. The LayCool days are over... right?

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

First off, this was the match of the night in my opinion. Having a multi-person (Fatal Four Way, Six-Pack Challenge, etc.) always add a more exciting and unpredictable element to a match of this caliber. Except when Sheamus is being pushed to the moon, and Chris Jericho is being depushed to the level of the WCW Power Plant. Jericho has to be initiating this. Many believe the hype of Jericho coming back to put people over, but at the expense of tarnishing his career? It is definitely getting there. He had the best spots of the match, but still took the fall. Hopefully something better comes from his return before he leaves again.

Brodus Clay vs. Miz

The best part of this match? Miz trying out to be a dancer for the faux-remake video of Michael Jackson's Thriller. Albeit chessy, that was the best thing that Miz has done all year. Maybe a comedic heel would work for him, because his serious heel persona has been buried, and quite honestly, should stay there.

Christian vs. Cody Rhodes

Now this is what the legacy of the Intercontinental Championship is all about. Two wrestlers who are worthy of being World Champions vie to claim ownership of the IC title. Hopefully this level of competition for the title continues. It would quickly rebuild its prestige. Christian being champ as a babyface is a good call. There are a plethora of heels in the company right now, so it would not be hard for him to have great feuds throughout the year.

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan

Good split crowd participation during the match. Also, good to see that the WWE actually gave them a half-hour match. For the most part, it delivered. Decent spots throughout the match, and the fast-paced spurts helped keep the match intriguing. No AJ involvement was definitely a good thing; this match did not need to be tainted with some ridiculous drama angle (although it may go that route in the future). The end was quite odd, and it looked like CM Punk miscued the tap-out since he tapped way after the three count. A submission match between the two at No Way Out would be a good way to continue the feud.

Ryback vs. Camacho

I will never understand the logic of matches like this on pay-per-views. The WWE is expecting tens of thousands of people to buy these events, but puts on matches that wouldn't even be interesting on Raw or SmackDown. I understand that this is about building Ryback's character, put wasting paid time is not the right moment to do that. Ryback needs some type of direction fast. These squash matches are getting more and more tough to watch.

John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis

This match was by far the worst main event of the year, and even in recent pay-per-view history. Not only did it make a decent PPV become the worst of the year, it showed how matches like this - according to the WWE booking - are more important than any of the World Title matches. Want proof? Here is a couple of stats for you: 1) No PPV this year has featured a World Title main event, and 2) With the exception of the Royal Rumble, Cena has been in all of them (EC - Kane, WM - Rock, ER - Lesnar, OTL - Laurinaitis). Even worse than that, who really believed that the Big Show was not going to interfere? He just so happened to be at the exit that Laurinaitis left, just so happened to put Laurinaitis back in the ring without being very physical, and just so happened to give him to John Cena who was right in front of him while he attempted his AA finisher. Not a coincidence, just poor writing.

All-in-all, fans did not deserve to see that quality of product if they spent their hard-earned money to watch the pay-per-view. With the recent reports of Raw going three hours, this PPV would barely be accepted on a Monday night.

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