WWE No Way Out 2012: Projected Star Ratings for Every Match

No Way Out's return to the WWE pay-per-view schedule is almost here.  No Way Out 2012 will feature title matches, continued feuds and a striking lack of star power.

The high quality of WWE pay-per-views from the first half of the year may taper off.  There’ll be no big-name part-timers like the Rock or Brock Lesnar.    

The roster is also without Chris Jericho and Randy Orton.

Still, there is certain to be at least one stand-out match, just as there is certain to be at least one stinker. 

How good can CM Punk and Daniel Bryan be with the addition of Kane?  Can the Intercontinental Championship match be the most memorable showdown of the night? How will Dolph Ziggler fare as Alberto Del Rio's replacement?

Rating them on a scale from one to five stars, how good will each match be?

Brodus Clay vs. David Otunga (Pre-Show)

WWE seems to be unsure of what to do with the new Brodus Clay.  He burst onto the scene as an amusing dance-happy big man and has been treading water over the last few months.

Sticking him with one of the wrestlers who fans care least about is not going to change that.  

David Otunga has been a good soldier, taking bumps and losses whenever asked to.  He just doesn't pop out of the screen.  This match has major potential for boredom.

With no history between them and a chemistry that is likely to be lukewarm, Otunga vs. Clay is not going to have anyone talking the next day.  This will be a short, formulaic match that will only provide filler.  

Projected Star Rating: **

Christian vs. Cody Rhodes (Intercontinental Championship)

This Intercontinental Championship match and ensuing feud has the potential to bring back prestige and interest to the mid-card.  Unfortunately, though, WWE is likely to cut this match short in favor of bigger names.

Both Christian and Cody Rhodes are well-rounded wrestlers who have very few weaknesses in the ring.

If given a full thirty minutes to work with, Rhodes and Captain Charisma could have the match of the night.  Their clash would be an amalgam of speed, technical skills and storytelling. 

Instead, we're more likely to see a 10-minute bout with a few nice spots, but nothing memorable. 

Projected Star Rating: *** 1/4

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane (WWE Championship)

CM Punk and Daniel Bryan have recently shown us the excellence they're capable of together.  Perhaps, though, they've shown us it a bit too often.

In a feud that is likely only getting rolling, we've already seen Bryan and Punk deliver an awesome match at Over the Limit plus as well as several encounters on TV. 

Fans aren't exactly tired of seeing them go at it yet, but there is no novelty left in their matchup. 

WWE knows how good their wrestling can be together, and the most likely scenario is that this match serves as a tablesetter for later, bigger matches between them. 

The addition of Kane varies things a bit while also potentially tampering with Bryan and Punk's chemistry.  Kane is an odd fit here as a brawler caught between grapplers, but he should provide some balance. 

His power moves could make for some memorable spots throughout.   

This should be a very good, but not great match that will eventually get overshadowed by the memory of other Bryan and Punk showdowns. 

Projected Star Rating: *** 3/4

Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler (World Heavyweight Championship)

Alberto Del Rio's style would have meshed well with Sheamus'.  Del Rio's concussion instead opens the door for Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler makes an even better opponent for Sheamus.

Sheamus' greatest matches to date have come against a smaller, quicker foe.  His grueling battle against John Morrison at TLC 2010 and his instant classic with Daniel Bryan at Extreme Rules 2012 are proof of that.

Ziggler fits that mold perfectly and suddenly turns what many fans thought would be a snoozer into a show-stealer.  

The clash of heel vs. face and quickness vs. strength will be the best match of the night.

Few fans would care if Del Rio were to win the World Heavyweight Championship, but now that Ziggler has a shot to achieve the greatest accomplishment of his career, things are suddenly interesting.

Will Sheamus retain, or are we witnessing the beginning of a long Ziggler championship reign?  Every near-fall is going to have us holding our breath while two of WWE's best workers rock the house.

Projected Star Rating: ****

John Cena vs. Big Show (Steel Cage)

It's too early in this most recent feud between John Cena and Big Show to whip out the steel cage.  The cage is designed to be the culmination of a long bitter rivalry, not simply a tie in to a pay-per-view's theme.

Fans have already seen these two slug it out numerous times, and it wasn't that great the first time around.

Cena's most impressive work has been against more well-rounded ring performers like Shawn Michaels or in a situation where the story and crowd make a huge impact, like with CM Punk and Rob Van Dam. 

An older Big Show trading punches and slams with Cena just sounds boring. 

John Laurinaitis is going to play his part as well.  Will he only muddle the action or add a dramatic spark? 

Projected Star Rating: ** 3/4