100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)
73. Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk (Over The Limit 2012)
Grappling crimes were committed on 20 May 2012. WWE decreed that John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis should be the main event for the third and final Over The Limit pay-per-view. On the undercard? Matches like Christian vs. Cody Rhodes, a four-way for the World Title pitting Sheamus vs. Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho and...oh yeah, the small matter of CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title.
Even Johnny Ace headlining instead of them couldn't dampen the spirits of Punk and Bryan. They were enthused by the prospect of working together in a lengthy match on PPV, and both knew they'd be able to put on a clinic that would stick two fingers up at Vince McMahon's decision making. Punk and Bryan got almost 25 minutes, and every single one of them was a pulsating watch.
The finish was especially killer. CM Punk countered Dan's Yes Lock by moving deftly into a pinning situation. Then, as if to hammer home the pain of that submission, he tapped out right after the referee had counted to three. That, naturally, infuriated Bryan - he believed he should've been handed the win. No dice. Punk escaped this round, which meant the pair had to go hammer and tongs again at No Way Out the following month.
Well, sort of. Kane made it a three way, then Punk and Bryan blew their feud off at Money In The Bank in another expertly-worked bout. Some might prefer that one, but there was a sense of joy to the original that ruled. These ROH boys had made it to the big time.
Nothing could stop them from getting match of the night at Over The Limit.