WWE No Way out 2012 Results: Whose Stock Is Rising or Falling After No Way Out?

After No Way Out, the landscape has changed slightly.  However, most things have stayed the same.

We saw champions retaining their titles last night.  We also saw an era end.

Sheamus successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Dolph Ziggler. 

Christian also defeated Cody Rhodes to keep the Intercontinental Title.  Layla beat Beth Phoenix again to retain the Divas Title.

Santino Marella easily beat Ricardo Rodriguez in a tuxedo match.  Sin Cara defeated Hunico in a high-flying impromptu match. 

Ryback still kept his undefeated streak going as he beat two men with his impressive, overpowering strength.

CM Punk survived his triple threat match against Daniel Bryan and Kane as he defended the WWE title.

John Cena defeated the Big Show in a steel cage, and Vince McMahon fired John Laurinaitis immediately after the match.

Many matches lived up to the hype, but their impact will also last on the road for July’s Money In The Bank PPV.

Some wrestlers saw their stock rise, while others fell.  Here are seven WWE Superstars who fit the trend.

7. Kane: Falling

Kane looked to become WWE Champion for the second time.  Unfortunately, he failed.

He bumped into AJ, then was kicked by Punk in the head.  He then fell victim to the Go To Sleep move and was pinned.

Where does Kane go from here?  He carried out AJ, while the smitten diva looked back and smiled at the champion.  Maybe AJ becomes Kane’s new valet?

Maybe Kane goes into a feud with CM Punk once more.  Regardless, he lost momentum.

After rising from mediocrity to a main event status, expect Kane to go further down the line.

6. The Primetime Players: Rising

What an amazing opportunity for Titus O’Neil and Darren Young!

In an impromptu Fatal Four-Way tag team match, the team beat Primo & Epico, Justin Gabriel & Tyson Kidd and The Usos.

They earned their victory and took advantage of a weakened Primo.  They will now face Kofi Kingston and R-Truth for the WWE Tag Team Championship.

With A.W. (formerly Abraham Washington) on their side, they could become tag team champions sooner rather than later.

5. Layla: Rising

The Divas Champion fought valiantly in her bout against Beth Phoenix.  She even played mind games that paid off in the first few minutes of the match.

Layla defeated Phoenix again for the second consecutive PPV in a row.  Many saw the hard work she’s put in during her hiatus from the ring. 

She countered many of Phoenix’s moves.  She looked very impressive in last night’s encounter.

If Layla keeps up her efforts, she could be the Divas Champion for quite a while.

4. Cody Rhodes: Falling

Rhodes went on to face Christian for the Intercontinental Title and lost.  Where does Rhodes go from here?

He had numerous opportunities to get his title back, but he failed.  This marks the second consecutive PPV Rhodes has lost, and twice to the same opponent.

However, this could be a good thing.  Maybe Rhodes moves up to that main event spot in either show. 

He could become the next contender for either the World Heavyweight or WWE titles.

If Rhodes stays in that mid card role, he’ll be lost in the shuffle.  Rhodes needs to rise into the main event title picture. 

Otherwise, the future doesn’t look good for Rhodes.

3. Daniel Bryan: Rising

If you saw last night’s PPV, Daniel Bryan is not going away.

Despite being a heel, Bryan was a fan favorite in the Jersey crowd.  The fans chanted, “YES!” every time Bryan was on the offensive.

Despite not being involved in the pinfall, it sets him up for another potential rematch with CM Punk. 

Daniel Bryan is not going away.  The fans won’t let him. 

Because of the overwhelming fan support, this Superstar is and still should be in the main event picture.

2. Dolph Ziggler: Rising

When an opportunity knocks, know when to take advantage.

Dolph Ziggler took his opportunity and ran with it during his match with Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Champion. 

Ziggler took Alberto Del Rio’s spot last night, and put on an amazing match against Sheamus.

Despite losing, Ziggler held his own.  There were many occasions that Ziggler could have been champion, but it just wasn’t his night.

Maybe sooner rather than later, though, Ziggler will have his day.

1. CM Punk: Rising

The WWE Champion went into New Jersey looking to retain his title.  He managed to keep it.

After pushing Kane into AJ by accident, he took advantage and hit the GTS on Kane for the three count. 

Punk retained and extended his title reign to eight months. He’s beaten every superstar trying to take his title in every type of match. 

From singles action to elimination chambers, street fights, TLC matches and triple threats, CM Punk has nearly done it all in his reign.

Can anyone stop this amazing reign of the Straight-Edged Superstar?  As of right now, it doesn’t seem that way.