WWE Over the Limit 2012: John Laurinaitis More Powerful Than Ever After Win

John Laurinaitis is a boss.

The GM of Raw and SmackDown was already one of the most powerful men in all of the WWE before Over the Limit 2012. After defeating John Cena, Big Johnny possesses more power than he’s ever had in his entire career.

Tainted or not, Laurinaitis just beat the face of the WWE. No one in the brand is more influential than Cena and at the will of Laurinaitis, he just tasted the floor of the ring. Cena isn’t screaming loser in his face anymore (via @CenaWords).

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@JohnCena humiliates @WWERawGM John Laurinaitis before #OverTheLimit. #RAWyfrog.com/126hs8j

— CeNation 24/7 (@CenaWords) May 15, 2012"

While Cena beat Laurinaitis to a pulp, the only thing that matters is who's awarded with the "W" next to their name. And the fact that the GM took such a thrashing and still exited the ring triumphant only adds to his supremacy. According to the WWE, he suffered extensive injuries:

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Mr. Laurinaitis was rushed to the emergency room from Raleigh, N.C.’s PNC Arena, showing signs of a possible concussion, possible ACL damage to his knee and a possible spinal injury. To add to this litany of serious injuries, the executive also suffered contusions over his entire body and was said to have difficulty raising his left arm and left leg, which can indicate possible nerve damage. The General Manager may have also suffered a broken clavicle.

"

On top of overcoming devastating injuries to silence Cena, Laurinaitis assaulted Big Show’s psyche to the point that the seven-foot, 441-pound wrestler broke down and cried. But not only that, he jacked up The Giant’s mind to the point that Big Show actually helped him take out Cena…even though Laurinaitis just fired him.

And just like he broke Big Show, he'll continue to use his power to control the company.

Cena wasn't interested in submitting to Laurinaitis. He was straightened up, though. Putting the opposition in line isn't going to be a one-time occurrence for Laurinaitis either.

If he put Cena—the face of the WWE—in his place, he's capable of controlling everyone. Soon enough Laurinaitis' nickname will be The Puppeteer. The message that he's broadcasting: You step out of line, you get bent backwards until you surrender.

Laurinaitis’ job was on the line on Sunday night, but now, he holds all the cards.

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

Follow @TheRealDDaniels