WWE Over the Limit: Recapping Every WWE "I Quit" Match Ever

John Cena will take part in his fourth "I Quit" match in just eight days at Over The Limit. The Miz will try to have Cena say those two words and have Cena lose that match for the first time ever. It seems like a daunting task for The Awesome One, but John Cena has tapped out three times in his WWE career. The Miz isn't exactly a submission specialist like Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit, the three men who have done it.

The odds don't look good to see a new WWE Champion at Over The Limit, but crazier things have happened, especially when it comes to "I Quit" matches. Let's take a look at the previous 13 instances inside a WWE ring, as well as a quick preview to this match.

Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund: WrestleMania XI

This was the first match of its kind in WWE and it is the only "I Quit" match in WrestleMania history. Bob Backlund feuded with Bret Hart over his then-WWF Championship. Backlund thought that he had won the title from Hart, only to find out that the match was not over. The distraction helped Hart keep the belt until Backlund won it from him at Survivor Series 1994. Backlund would quickly lose the belt to Diesel, but this feud persisted.

In this match, both men tried to lock in submission maneuvers on their opponents. This match had Roddy Piper as the referee. Piper's only responsibility in the match was to ring the bell when one opponent said "I Quit" into a microphone. A crossface chicken wing from Backlund was reversed into the same submission for Hart. A mumble was heard, which was good enough for the Hot Rod.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Ken Shamrock: RAW Oct. 26, 1998

Ken Shamrock was the World's Most Dangerous Man. His stint in the UFC proves that this was a relatively true statement. At the time of this match, Shamrock was the Intercontinental Champion and was aligned with The Corporation. The faction's main focus in that time was to take out "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. This led to an "I Quit" match on Monday Night RAW.

Shamrock worked on the arm of Austin and locked in a good Camel Clutch on the Texas Rattlesnake. There was also some interference in this match. The trio of Sgt. Slaughter, Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson distracted Austin for a moment. The distraction prompted referee Tim White to be upset about the matter. White was knocked out my the trio and Austin came to fight them. Just then, Mankind came out and locked in a mandible claw on Shamrock, passing him out.

A woozy White was thrown back into the ring by Austin as Austin locked in a headlock and moved Shamrock's hand up and down to mimic tapping out. It was good enough for the hurting referee.

The Rock vs. Mankind: Royal Rumble 1999

Mankind would get his own "I Quit" match at Royal Rumble in 1999. Facing The Rock, Mankind was very animated and was certain that he would defend his then-WWF Championship belt. It was the first "I Quit" match to have a title on the line.

Back at this time, it was common to see anyone and everyone on Sunday Night Heat. On this night, Mankind cut a promo saying that he would never say the words "I Quit." Well, Mankind did say it...or did he? It was revealed later on that Mankind had been beaten unconscious and a recording of those two words from his promo were played from the P.A. system. It was a controversial win for The Rock, but it gave the title to The Great One.

The Rock vs. HHH: RAW January 25, 1999

These two have had some fantastic matches over the years, but just one night after Royal Rumble, The Rock had his first title defense against Triple H. The two put on a great match on Monday Night RAW. With Triple H in control of the champ, The Corporation came down to help their associate. As HHH was about to Pedigree The Rock through the table, members came down to the ring and Kane grabbed Chyna.

Triple H was posed with a situation: say "I Quit" or Chyna gets harmed by Kane. The Game was forced to fold his hand and say the two words, leading to The Rock winning his second "I Quit" match in 24 hours.

Vince McMahon vs. Stephanie McMahon: No Mercy 2003

Stephanie McMahon faced her father in an "I Quit" match at No Mercy in 2003 in what was one of the oddest matches I have ever seen. It was just weird to see an untrained female fighting her senior-aged father.

This match was more painful to watch than any Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler match, mainly because it was just strange to see father and daughter using weapons on one another. In the end, Stephanie lost to her father, but not because she said anything. Instead, it was her mother, Linda McMahon, who threw in the towel on her behalf.

Thus far, we have seen the first five "I Quit" matches in WWE history and not once have we seen anyone say "I Quit" because they could not continue.

John Cena vs. JBL: Judgment Day 2005

This is one of my favorite John Cena matches ever. His first "I Quit" match at Judgment Day 2005 saw him defend his WWE Championship against John Bradshaw Layfield. This was a bloody affair. I beg you all to watch this match online somewhere and enjoy this gory grudge match. Perhaps, if we all watch it before we go to bed and dream really hard for it, The Miz and Cena will put on a match like this one.

Then again, maybe not.

Even still, this match, at least in my opinion, set up the reputation that John Cena has now with his "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" mantra. Cena really showed some resolve and had more crimson on his face than Kane did when he wore a mask. Cena could barely stand at the end of the match and, while some of that may have been to play to the crowd, a lot of it seemed very real. If you want to reaffirm your respect for John Cena, and JBL for that matter, find this match and watch it.

Ric Flair vs. Mick Foley: SummerSlam 2006

Mick Foley and Ric Flair in a match where anything goes and one of them has to quit? Sign me up, please.

These two were absolute maniacs in this match. This was a special dream match that lived up to any bit of hype you could imagine. In the end, we heard Foley lose an "I Quit" match for the second time. This time around, he actually did say the words. This was only because Melina came to cover Foley's beaten body and Flair was ready to strike her with an object. Foley quit to protect Melina and The Nature Boy walked away with one hell of a win.

Chavo Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio: Friday Night Smackdown Oct. 20, 2006

Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio put on one of the greatest matches in the history of Smackdown with their "I Quit" match in 2006. A lot of this storyline was fueled with the sudden passing of Eddie Guerrero. As harsh as it may be to say, that unfortunate event may have given some of the greatest matches for both of these men in their careers.

Chavo came out with the victory in this instance, which helped to legitimize Chavo and keep this feud rolling.

Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero: Friday Night Smackdown Sept. 7, 2007

Almost one year later, these two squared off again in the same type of match—on Smackdown yet again. They are the only people to have faced one another more than once in an "I Quit" match. Mysterio avenged the previous loss in a match that was not as good as the first, but was certainly a great match for Smackdown.

Beth Phoenix vs. Melina: One Night Stand 2008

Beth Phoenix and Melina showed that even the Divas can make their opponents quit. The strength of Phoenix and the dexterity of Melina made this pretty entertaining. The two women have different styles that blended beautifully together in this match. There aren't too many Divas matches anymore that push toward being a Match of the Night candidates like this one did. It is actually a sleeper in terms of ranking these matches, should the list ever be created.

The Glamazon was victorious in this night, but not without Melina giving it a great effort in one of the best matches she has ever been in.

Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy: Backlash 2009

The two Hardy brothers had a rivalry that lasted for a few months and came to a head here at Backlash. We all remember the ending now. Matt is tied to a table as Jeff tries to jump off a ladder onto him. Matt has a mic and quits, ending the match. Jeff jumps anyway and the crowd roars. A very solid match.

John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Breaking Point 2009

In the post-blading world of WWE, I have a soft spot for this match. It is one of my favorite Orton/Cena matches and there are a lot to choose from. From the handcuffs to the kendo sticks and the ending with Orton essentially choking himself out, this was a very great match that did not require head shots and lots of blood. It was the only bright spot of the awful idea that Breaking Point was.

John Cena vs. Batista: Over the Limit 2010

Last year's first Over the Limit pay-per-view saw Batista and John Cena square off one more time. It would be the last match for Batista up until this time. The Animal had been embarrassed in a Last Man Standing match the month before by being duct taped down to the canvas. This month, he quit prior to being thrown off a car and through the ramp. Batista would quit once more 24 hours later on RAW.

John Cena vs. the Miz: Over the Limit 2011

I guess Over the Limit will turn into the "I Quit" PPV? What can we expect from this? Who you got in this one? What are your favorite "I Quit" moments? Say it all in your comments below.