WWE No Way Out 2012 Predictions: Can the Trend of Good B-Level PPVs Continue?

WWE had the biggest WrestleMania of all-time in terms of sales in 2012, and it seemed like they kept riding that high through the following PPVs.

Following WrestleMania 28, we saw two above-average B-Level PPVs with Extreme Rules and Over the Limit delivering some memorable moments.

Extreme Rules had a lot to live up to following the epic WrestleMania 28 we all witnessed, and it seemed like the WWE superstars were up to the task.

Brock Lesnar returned and found out why John Cena is the top guy in the company, and Sheamus and CM Punk both retained their titles in exciting matches with Daniel Bryan and Chris Jericho.

Over the Limit followed just a few weeks later, and many expected WWE to fizzle out, with this being their third PPV in a seven-week stretch.

Critics were silenced when Daniel Bryan and CM Punk stole the show with an incredible WWE Championship match, which saw both men come away looking very strong.

The night was filled with other great matches, like Sheamus facing three other men in one of the better fatal-four-way matches I can remember seeing, as well as an entertaining Tag Team Championship match.

Cody Rhodes and Christian had an outstanding match after the night started out strong with Christian winning the right to challenge Rhodes by winning a battle royal which opened the show.

This makes three straight PPVs where WWE definitely delivered a show worth the cost, and they are under pressure to deliver another top-tier show on Sunday.

No Way Out has six scheduled matches with an additional match for the free pre-show on WWE.com. Let's take a look at the card and see if this can stack up to the recent PPVs

David Otunga vs. Brodus Clay Pre-Show Match

This past week on Smackdown, we saw the Funkasaurus get his second taste of a real competitor when David Otunga left him laying on his back in the center of ring, writhing in agony.

John Laurinaitis promised Clay that someone would lay him out, and Otunga did just that following Clay's match with Heath Slater.

Otunga took out the big man's leg and proceeded to work him over, leaving him to possibly sell an injury heading into the match.

If WWE is going to give Otunga the chance to hand Clay his first loss, then this could be a good sign of things to come for the young Harvard graduate.

Otunga has really stepped up his game over the past year. He has had less time in the ring than one would usually like, but he has made up for it by embracing the role of John Laurinaitis' legal counsel and made it a good heel gimmick.

It will be interesting to see how this match ends up playing out. I do not see it being a five-star match by any stretch of the imagination, but it could end up being Clay's first real match since becoming the Funkasaurus.

I am going to go out on a limb and predict that Otunga will hand Clay his first defeat following the attack on Smackdown.

Santino Marella

This is about the only match which has zero potential to steal the show.

The tuxedo match is one that is not exactly endearing to wrestling fans, as it is usually a mockery, with nobody really coming away having won anything.

Santino is supposed to be the United States Champion, and this is what WWE is relegating him to. I fail to see the point.

I will make this quick and predict Santino wins the match and everyone cries at the end.

Layla vs. Beth Phoenix for the Divas Title

Layla and Beth Phoenix will lock up for the Divas title in a match that has the potential to be the best Divas match of 2012.

Layla is a very athletic performer who has really worked hard over the past couple years to improve. The injury that set her career back nearly a year has not seemed to defuse her spark.

Phoenix is a very capable performer who should be able to churn out a good match with the scrappy Layla.

If WWE gives them anywhere north of five minutes, then I think both women will end up impressing some critics of women's wrestling.

I will predict that Layla will retain her title in what should be a hard-fought match.

Cody Rhodes vs. Christian for the IC Title

This IC title match is one with two performers who have the potential to make this match better than either of the main title matches or the Cena/Big Show cage match.

Cody Rhodes and Christian are making the IC title seem like it matters again because both men could easily transition into the main event scene at any time and be accepted as a plausible champion.

Christian won the title in a great match at the last PPV, and Rhodes is looking to repeat his luck against Big Show by successfully using his rematch clause.

Since there is no stipulation, I expect this match to be a great example of how a wrestling match should be structured.

Christian is a veteran with nearly two decades of experience and titles to back up his credibility, and Rhodes grew up in the business and has branched out from simply being the son of the "son of a plumber."

I have high hopes for this match, and I predict Christian will get the win and retain the title.

Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler for the World Title

I would never wish harm upon a wrestler, but as soon as Dolph Ziggler was named as Alberto Del Rio's replacement in the World TItle match, it made the bout more interesting.

Many see it as highly unlikely that Ziggler would be able to come away with the belt, especially seeing as he was a last-minute replacement for the injured Del Rio.

While this makes sense from a logical standpoint, WWE could decide to pull a swerve and finally give the deserving Ziggler a real World Title win over someone like Sheamus.

Sheamus has been champion since he defeated Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania in 18 seconds, and with there having been two PPVs since that night, it seems like it was a lot longer than 11 weeks ago.

Sheamus is a great baby face champion, and he has stepped up to fill the void on Smackdown's roster depth issue, but it may be time for a heel to step in.

I predict Sheamus to get the win, but I am pulling for Ziggler.

John Cena vs Big Show If Cena Loses He's Fired, If He Wins Laurinaitis Is Fired

Steel cage matches are very hit or miss because the match is restricted to inside the ring, which limits what a superstars can do. It also serves as a weapon to assist in the match, so it evens out.

Big Show is looking to cement himself as the top heel in WWE by not only defeating John Cena, but costing him his job in the process.

Both of these guys have been in just about every match in every situation you can imagine, so what we are seeing is nothing new, which is why they need to really step it up to prove this match should be the main event.

I am listing the WWE title match as the main event because that is how it should be, but for all intents and purposes, WWE is calling this the main event.

Big Show will most likely dominate most of the match since this is following his monster heel attack on Brodus Clay from a few weeks ago.

I believe Cena will be looking to take some time off, and I don't think WWE wants Johnny Ace off the air just yet, so I have to predict that Big Show will get the win.

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane for the WWE Title

This match has more layers to it than a David Mamet play. Well, maybe that is an exaggeration, but you get my point.

Kane, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan are the three men involved in the match, but the wildcard in all of this is AJ.

Let me see if I can keep this straight.

1. AJ and Daniel Bryan break up following Bryan's title loss to Sheamus.
2. AJ begins stalking Bryan until Bryan begins feuding with Punk.
3. AJ starts showing signs of being into Punk, who digs crazy chicks.
4. Bryan makes Kane attack Punk by making him think it was Punk who hit him with a chair.
5. Punk returns the favor.
6. Kane gets involved in the feud and the WWE title match.
7. AJ smiles at Kane, confusing him and sending him away.
8. AJ starts stalking Kane and Punk.
9. AJ makes out with Kane, causing Kane's team to lose to Punk and AJ.
10. Kane tries to help AJ after she is knocked down, only to be attacked by Punk.

Did I get everything? This is certainly a well-designed story which has brought about more questions each week.

AJ will most likely have some kind of involvement, but when it is all said and done, I see Punk walking out as champion.

Please feel free to share you predictions for No Way Out below.