WWE Over the Limit Preview: Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

What's up, ladies and gentlemen? My name is Eric Kanes and I am welcoming you to my monthly PPV Preview.

Now, before we go on, let me warn you guys. Each slide will contain a spoiler. They won't be SmackDown spoilers, though. Rather than predict the winner of each match, I will reveal the winner of each match. Each slide will contain some logical analysis that will help me decide the winner of each upcoming match.

Therefore, if you don't want the PPV to be spoiled, turn back now. However, if you want to know the results ahead of time, keep reading.

And now, from Seattle, Washington, this is the official Over the Limit Preview.

R-Truth vs. Rey Mysterio

I'd expect the opener for this PPV to be R-Truth vs. Rey Mysterio, in what has potential to be a solid ***+ match.

Before I move on, let me just say that WWE has done a phenomenal job at building R-Truth up over the past month. Unlike all of the chickensh*t heels in WWE, they've done a great job of making R-Truth look strong. They've finally gotten it right, and you could already see the results. R-Truth draws twice as much heat as guys like Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus.

Anyway, I think this match is a no-brainer. With WWE likely having John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio take place at SummerSlam, they need a championship contender for the next two pay-per-views. It looks like R-Truth will step up to the plate and be that guy. With that said, expect Truth to pick up the win here after interference from Alberto Del Rio, who is very suspiciously left off the card. That sets up R-Truth vs. John Cena and Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio for the next PPV.

Eric's Pick: R-Truth

Kane & Big Show vs. CM Punk and Mason Ryan

The second match of the night is usually the match that WWE considers to be the least relevant. Therefore, it's very likely that that match will be Kane and Big Show vs. The New Nexus.

It's a damn shame that CM Punk is working this match. He's one of the best all-around talents in the company and is probably the most misused. After his speech on Monday Night RAW, though, I've got some hope. It looks like The New Nexus might get a slight push, even if it's only to set up the Mason Ryan break-up storyline.

Therefore, if The New Nexus is going to get pushed, they should not win this match. A lot of people just want to see CM Punk get the win, but you have to realize that it's not a prestigious title he's fighting for. It's the tag team championship. With the way that WWE has been utilizing the division, I'd rather not see someone like CM Punk involved in it. He should be in world title matches, not tag team title matches.

With that said, Kane and Big Show completely squashing CM Punk and Mason Ryan is the most likely scenario. Another less likely scenario is WWE getting some sense and having Kane and Big Show win by disqualification after The New Nexus beats down the tag champs.

Also keep in mind that WWE is planning on pushing The Great Khali and Jinder Mahal as a tag team. If they're going to go that route, they're going to need a babyface tag team for the duo to feud with. Either way, you can expect Kane and Big Show to leave Seattle still tag team champions.

Eric's Pick: Kane and Big Show

Sin Cara vs. Chavo Guerrero

Sin Cara vs. Chavo Guerrero has not yet been confirmed, but it has been heavily rumored. There's not that much to say about this one. There hasn't been that much of a feud. Chavo just randomly started coming out during Sin Cara's matches.

Either way, I'm glad to see Chavo back on PPV, and I think this can be the dark horse show-stealer. Sin Cara is the one who WWE wants to push as their next big Mexican star, so the outcome is pretty obvious.

Eric's Pick: Sin Cara

Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler (Kiss My Foot Match)

Nothing screams buyrates like a royal duel with a Kiss My Foot stipulation. I bet that Over the Limit will draw five million buys just because of this match. Biggest match since Hogan vs. Andre.

Seriously, though, is this really still going on? For those keeping track, this feud has gone on for six months. It started out OK before WrestleMania with Steve Austin involved and everything, but now it's just brutal to watch. Can we please just end it already?

The stipulation to this one makes the outcome pretty obvious. Obviously, Jerry Lawler won't induct Michael Cole into the Hall of Fame, so Lawler will likely get the win.

I wouldn't be shocked to see these two wrestle again at the next PPV in another ridiculous match like a 60-Minute Ironman Barbecue Sauce Country Whipping Match Extravaganza or an Ironman Kiss My Foot Match where they kiss each other's feet after every fall. OK, I'll stop now. Don't want to give WWE any ideas.

Eric's Pick: Jerry Lawler

Randy Orton vs. Christian

This is yet another match that has potential to steal the show if given a good 20 minutes. I'm really liking the way that this card is shaping up.

There's not much to say about this match other than that Randy Orton has to go over here. A lot of people want Christian to win, but I fully approve of an Orton victory for two reasons:

1) This would be the perfect set-up for a Christian heel turn. He's always been much better in the heel role than in the face role.

2) Christian has not been built up enough to be world champion yet. Putting the title on him right now is career suicide. He'd just be another Sheamus, holding the title for a couple months and then falling into obscurity. It's a lot better to actually build him up for several months so he can look like a credible champion.

So yeah. I'm pretty sure Christian won't be winning on Sunday.

Eric's Pick: Randy Orton

Wade Barrett vs. Ezekiel Jackson

I'm 100 percent against this match taking place at all. Ezekiel Jackson is not ready for a singles push. It's not like Evolution, where Batista spent three years with the group before splitting up with them. The Corre started teasing a break-up a month after forming, so when they did break-up, it meant nothing. Besides, Jackson is not exactly a microphone master or in-ring technician. I can't see him going too far on his own.

However, I'm not running WWE. Vince McMahon is. With that said, Ezekiel Jackson has bigger muscles than Wade Barrett, so expect him to go over here.

Eric's Pick: Ezekiel Jackson

John Cena vs. The Miz ("I Quit" Match)

And now, the main event: John Cena vs. The Miz in an "I Quit" match. A lot of people are dreading this match for some reason. I'm actually really looking forward to it. Miz and Cena have always had good chemistry and put on solid matches. With the added stipulation and possibly extended time, this could get very good.

I realize that the outcome is fairly predictable since Cena is undefeated in "I Quit" matches. Obviously, Miz isn't going to dominate Cena the way that Batista and JBL did but they can still make Miz look smart. For example, they could have Miz try to blackmail Cena into saying "I Quit" by having Alex Riley abduct Cena's father or something. Miz could also try to trick Cena into saying it. Either way, no matter what the outcome is, I expect this to be one hell of a match and I'm really looking forward to whatever Miz said he had in store.

Eric's Pick: John Cena

Bonus Questions

As always, here are some bonus questions for my readers.

Which superstar left off the show should've gotten a spot on the card?

I've got to go with Alberto Del Rio. Winning the Royal Rumble used to mean that your career is set. It turned guys like Brock Lesnar, Batista and Rey Mysterio into instant stars. Now, the value of a Rumble win has dropped significantly. Del Rio went from winning the Royal Rumble to opening WrestleMania instead of main eventing it to not being on PPV at all in a span of four months. I was against pushing him to the top this early but if you already plan on pushing him, at least make some sort of effort.

How do you think this pay-per-view will do in terms of buyrates?

I can sincerely say that Over the Limit probably has the best on-paper card out of all the PPVs WWE has produced this year. There's a couple ridiculous matches, but take those out and the card looks fantastic. Four matches have potential to hit the ***1/2 mark. I don't know if it will deliver, but that's more than can be said for any PPV WWE has produced so far this year.

However, in the end, I think the lack of build-up will end up affecting the number of buys. Despite how good I think it will be, this will probably be the least purchased PPV of the year so far. You can't build up a PPV in two weeks.

Which match will steal the show?

I've already said that four of the matches have potential to steal the show. However, if I have to pick one, I'll go with Randy Orton vs. Christian. Their match on SmackDown was great. If given more time and more to work with, they'll easily hit the **** mark here.

Will you be watching this PPV?

Yes, I will. I will also more than likely be writing about it live as I watch it, so make sure to tune in on Sunday at 8:00 eastern/5:00 pacific for that.

And that shall conclude my official Over the Limit preview. I will be likely be right back here this Sunday with some live PPV coverage but until then, I'm out!

-----------------------------

If you enjoyed this column, make sure to add me on Facebook.

Ask me stuff on Formspring.