WWE Over the Limit PPV Preview
It’s light on star power, but heavy on potentially memorable matches.
With the star-studded dust of Wrestlemania season resting firmly behind us, wrestling fans move on to one of the few designated lulls in WWEs tumultuous calendar. Spring time for the global entertainment giant is usually relatively quiet recycled Wrestlemania matches line the cards of the Pay-Per-Views to follow and most, if not all of the star power that graced us with their presence for the Showcase of the Immortals have moved onto bigger and brighter things. Spring 2012 is no exception. The Rock quickly delivered his swan song (at least for now) the night after Wrestlemania, and Brock Lesnars short lived run has WWE scrambling to carbe their path into summer. The result is the third annual Over the Limit. Its light on star power, but heavy on potentially memorable matches. A show that, if executed properly, could undoubtedly be a sleeper hit of the year. For months now, the WWE Tag Team Championships have served as nothing more than a heavy prop. Theres been few tag teams that truly captivated crowds, and even fewer opportunities for said tag teams to truly showcase their talent and bring tag wrestling back to the forefront. Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger may not be able to accomplish that feat all on its own, but its a step in the right direction. While Primo and Epico wait in the wings for their rematch at the hands of their new business associate, A.W., the Show-Off and The All-American American look to cut Kofi and Truths odd paring short. While it may be the poorest built bout on the card, its a small victory in itself to know that the WWE Tag Team Championships are being defended on Pay-Per-View in a match that isnt an impromptu last minute addition to the card. All four of these men are well-versed, incredibly capable, and recognizable as singles competitors. Theyve proven in recent weeks that their chemistry is top notch, and that theyre able to have fast-paced, unpredictable, and exciting encounters at just about every turn. We should expect nothing less at Over the Limit. Just three weeks ago at Extreme Rules, the flawless Layla returned from a year long injury and pulled out a quick upset victory to become the new WWE Divas Champion. Waiting in the wings, though, is a vengeful former Champion looking to take back the crown she believes she lost on an injury related technicality. The WWE Divas Championship is on the line at Over the Limit as Defending Champion, Layla takes on Beth Phoenix. Phoenix has kept the womens division on a short leash in recent months with little competition. With few opportunities to showcase her talent lately, expect Phoenix to be at the top of her game, with Layla matching her step for step. This should be a fine Divas contest, though dont fault me for thinking everything going on in the WWE as it pertains to the Divas is just leading up to the inevitable squashes that will take place once Kharma makes a full time return. Originally slated to be a one on one match-up between Champion Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio, the World Heavyweight Championship match at Over the Limit has taken an exciting and far more intriguing turn, as World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus defends his title against Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Alberto Del Rio in a Fatal 4 Way Match. Booked on the fly after an encounter in which tensions between all four men boiled over, this fatal 4 way match presents an incredible opportunity to reestablish some main event credibility to the title, and offers a fresh match up weve yet to see. While Sheamus and Daniel Bryan put on an absolute clinic at last months Extreme Rules, with everything else going on at the time, it was hard to identify their rivalry as having main event importance. With an open playing field and interesting build leading up to show time, this fatal 4 way match has potential to not only wow and dazzle, but also set up a clear picture of the World Championship landscape as we head into the summer months. While a good chunk of the story has been focused on the rapidly decaying mutual respect and friendship between Sheamus and Randy Orton, Chris Jericho and Del Rio both present interesting challenges for the World Champion and his current rival. If WWE gives this match time to develop, we could be in for a treat. In a match that has Internet fans buzzing, WWE Champion CM Punk defends his title, and his ability, against number one contender, Danial Bryan. Truth be told, the build to this encounter has been anything but detailed. Daniel Bryan earned the opportunity to face the WWE Champion after surviving a Beat the Clock challenge. Following his victory, he and Punks interactions have been minimal at best. Whether this is WWE simply being lazy, or WWE having uttermost faith in Punk and Bryans ability as in-ring competitors remains to be seen. One thing is for certain anything less than a top contender for match of the year is going to be a disappointment. Bryand and Punk are masters of their craft, and its sublimely surreal to envision a main event scale match between the two of them taking place on WWE Pay-Per-View. Its hard to remain so optimistic about a match with little to no storyline development or appeal, however, the sheer expectation of athleticism and technical prowess is enough to have me waiting on the edge of my seat with baited breath. Over the Limits weakest puzzle piece also happens to be its most publicized match-up. The inevitable encounter between John Cena and John Laurinaitis is the next link in a long chain of events that have made the general manager all too familiar to the viewing audience. Laurinaitis, is, for all intents and purposes, the poor mans Mr. McMahon. For months, WWE has been trying to capitalize on the success of the historic Stone Cold/Mr. McMahon rivalry to little to no avail. Big Johnny simply does not possess the appeal, the charisma, or the ability that the all-powerful CEO did, and still does. Casual fans should flock to this match-up in the hopes of seeing Laurinaitis torn apart by the disgruntled employee. Id be lying if I said a part of me wasnt interested in seeing that as well. The problem lies in the matchs relatively predictable outcome, and the fact that John Laurinaitis is simply unlikable for all the wrong reasons. Theres a fine line between disliking a character because hes great at his job, and disliking a character because hes genuinely bad at what he/she does, and I cant help but feel as though the esteemed General Manager falls under the latter of two categories. Though it goes without saying, dont expect any sort of classic out of this intriguing, but half-hearted encounter. Over the Limit isnt going to break any records, and it certainly isnt going to make the splash that Wrestlemania or Extreme Rules did. It does, however, have the potential to play host to some memorable, quality matches, and paint a clear picture of WWEs landscape heading into the summer months.