10 Wrestling Matches That Killed WWE PPVs

3. John Cena Vs. John Laurinaitis (Over The Limit 2012)

Cena John Laurinaitis Over the Limit 2012
WWE.com

Ask a nearby fan what their memories of Over The Limit 2012 are and they might struggle. Was it a stunning clash between CM Punk and Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title? How about a fine Fatal-4-Way for the World Title between Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton?

Nope and nope.

The prevailing message coming out of Over The Limit was that John Cena beating up a husky-voiced authority figure for 17 minutes before Big Show turned again was more important than both top titles. For some reason, Cena vs. John Laurinaitis was picked as the main event, and it was a reminder, as if one was needed, that TV-style squashes don't make good pay-per-view closers.

Worse, Laurinaitis won, meaning this subpar heel screw job should've taken place on the undercard. Ending the show with a one-two punch of Christian beating Cody Rhodes for the IC Title and Punk beating Bryan would've been endlessly better than Ryback squishing Camacho and Johnny Ace in a morph suit toppling Cena.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.