Welcome to our Live Coverage of WWE Over The Limit 2012 from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Over The Limit YouTube pre-show is first, featuring Kane vs. Zack Ryder.
Zack Ryder vs. Kane
The pre-show kicks off with Ryder vs. Kane. Solid back and forth match action from both men, with Zack Ryder getting a surprising amount of offense. In the end, Ryder went for the Ruff Ryder, but walked into a chokeslam for the pinfall.
Winner: Kane
Josh Matthews and Matt Striker are ringside and run down the card for tonight. Video package looking at John Laurinaitis’ rise to power and feud with John Cena.
Eve is backstage when Cody Rhodes and Santino walk in with their title belts. The champions argue over which title has a more prestigious legacy. The winner of the People Power Battle Royal tonight will get to challenge for either the Intercontinental or the United States championships tonight. Reks and Hawkins eliminate Zeke together. Jey Uso is eliminated. Drew McIntyre eliminated. Hawkins and Reks eliminated at the same time. Great Khali eliminates Jinder Mahal. Young and Titus throw out Great Khali.
The Over The Limit commentary team of Michael Cole, Booker T and Jerry “The King” Lawler are introduced and come to the ring.
The Battle Royal will be the first match when the pay-per-view goes live at the top of the hour. Cody Rhodes’ music hits and he comes down to the ring to watch the battle royal. Santino is out next to watch as well.
The participants of the Battle Royal come down to the ring: The Great Khali, The Miz, JTG, Ezekiel Jackson, Curt Hawkins & Tyler Reks, Michael McGillicutty, Yoshi Tatsu, Tyson Kidd, Jimmy & Jey Uso, Jinder Mahal, Drew McIntyre, Heath Slater, Titus O’Neal & Darren Young, Alex Riley, David Otunga, William Regal and Christian! The pre-show is over and we’re live on pay-per-view.
People Power Battle Royal: Winner Choses To Challenge Either Santino Or Cody Rhodes For Their Title Tonight:
Heath Slater is eliminated first, followed by Michael McGuillicutty. The Usos give JTG a double superkick and he’s eliminated. Drew McIntyre tosses Yoshi Tatsu out. Jimmy Uso throws out Titus O’Neal. Darren Young eliminates Jimmy Uso. Christian throws out William Regal to a huge round of boo’s. The Miz eliminates Darren Young. We’ve got Miz, A-Ry, Otunga, Kidd and Christian left. The Miz eliminates his former protege, Alex Riley. Tyson Kidd tries to skin the cat but The Miz eliminates him. Otunga and Miz agree to work together and eliminate Christian. The heels work him over but Christian gets the upper hand. Christian throws out Otunga and Miz tries to eliminate Christian. Each man tries to hit their finisher but neither can pull it off. Miz on the apron and Miz is trying for the win. Christian gets the upper hand, throws Miz onto the apron as well and eliminates him.
Winner: Christian
Christian looks at Santino and decides he will challenge him for the United States championship later tonight.
The commentators run down what’s at stake between John Cena and John Laurinaitis later tonight. A promo airs for People Power and John Laurinaitis.
The opening video then aired welcoming us to Over The Limit.
Vickie Guerrero comes out and introduces her boys, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger.
WWE Tag Title Match: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler & Swagger
The champions come out and we’re ready to kick this one off. Kofi a nd Swagger start off, with Swagger getting the upper hand using mat wrestling. Kofi tags in R-Truth, who unloads on Swagger and hits some high impact offense on Swgger. Ziggler and Kofi Kingston now in. Ziggler gets the upper hand and Swagger tags in. They challengers have Kingston isolated and are doing a number on him. Swagger wearing Kofi’s arm down with mat holds. Kofi tries to get the upper hand but Swagger takes him out with a belly to belly suplex and showboats for the crowd. Swagger misses a legdrop and Kofi tags in R-Truth. R-Truth unloads again on Swagger with his signature flashy offense. Ziggler interferes and allows Swagger to get control. 2nd rope springboard splash on Truth and Ziggler is tagged in. Big elbow drop on R-Truth and a 2-count. Vickie is screaming at ringside. The heels continue to make quick tags. The crowd is chanting “Truth” while Ziggler gets several 2-counts on Truth. Swagger tagged in and the champions look to be in trouble. Kofi goes for Trouble in Paridise but no go. He goes for SOS and nails it, gets a 2-count until Swagger breaks it up. Ziggler nails Kofi with a Zig Zag and gets a 2-count before R-Truth breaks up the pin. R-Truth dives to the outside onto Swagger and Kingston nails Ziggler in the face with Thunder in Paradise for the win.
Winners and Still Champions: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth
Backstage, Eve is with Reks and Hawkins, who are wearing People Power t-shirts. Eve tells them their job is to go into the audience and confiscate any signs that are perceived as offensive to John Laurinaitis. Eve checks with Otunga to make sure that’s legal – and he assures her it is.
Divas Championship Match: Layla vs. Beth Phoenix
Phoenix is out first, followed by Layla. Back and forth action for the first few minutes with Phoenix in control most of the time. Phoenix works on the injured knee that kept Layla out for a year. Beth wraps Layla’s knee around the ring post and slams the knee into the post. Layla on the outside grabbing her knee in pain. Layla back int he ring and Beth continues to work on the knee. Cole and Booker T talk about the seriousness of knee injuries, with Jerry Lawler talking about how Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin battled knee injuries for years. Half crab on Layla and Beth Phoenix is firmly in control so far. Beth presses Layla over her head, but Layla reverses it and nails her with a DDT. Layla gets a 2-count. Several quick back and forth 2-counts. Vicious neck breaker out of nowhere by Layla and she gets the pin.
Winner & Still Champion: Layla
Randy Orton is backstage with Matt Striker. They show footage from SmackDown with Sheamus defeating Orton, them shaking hands and Orton giving Sheamus an RKO. Orton hypes their match and in walks Chris Jericho. Jericho’s hair is brown and the darkest we’ve ever seen it in WWE. Jericho says he’s beaten Sheamus and Orton in the past month and he’s going to become the World Heavyweight champion once again. Orton says if he gets in his way tonight – he’s going to be the Best in the World – at getting RKO’d.
World Heavyweight Championship Match: Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho vs. Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio is out first followed by Chris Jericho, Randy Orton and finally the World Heavyweight champion, Sheamus. Lilian Garcia does the introductions for the participants of this fatal fourway match. The bell rings and the faces attack the heels and send them outside. Randy Orton and Sheamus are in the ring. All four men battle on the outside and once again, it’s Orton and Sheamus in the ring. Sheamus in control of Orton when he runs against the ropes but Chris Jericho pulls the rope down and sends him to the outside. Del Rio stomps down Orton as the crowd chants “Si!”. Jericho joins in and the heels take turns attacking Orton. The heels work together to suplex Orton.
The heels then go to the outside and double team Sheamus, who tries fighting back but is overwhelmed by their attack. Sheamus thrown head first into the announcer’s table as the heels dominate. Back in the ring, Randy Orton gets the upper hand on Jericho and Del Rio. Orton mounts an attack against Jericho, but Del Rio gets involved. Del Rio now attacks Orton, gets a 2-count but is interrupted by Chris Jericho. Del Rio and Chris Jericho are now going at it, with Del Rio winning the exchange with a suplex. Orton and Jericho now going at it, with Sheamus still on the outside for most of the match so far. Sheamus finally gets back into the match and delivers some brutal offense to Del Rio. Ricardo Rodriguez distracts Sheamus and Del Rio hits a brutal inseguri on Sheamus. Del Rio in control of Sheamus with Jericho and Orton outside of the ring. Sheamus goes for the Celtic Cross but Del Rio gets free and chops him down with kicks. Randy Orton and Christian now in the ring with Orton hitting his signature moves. Powerslam on Sheamus and the Viper is in that “special place.” Orton goes for the 2nd rope DDT on Sheamus and Orton is gearing up for an RKO. Del Rio comes from out of nowhere and gives Orton his cross arm breaking. Orton tries to make it to the ropes until Chris Jericho breaks it up with an elbow smash on Del Rio. Jericho now working on Del Rio. Lots of fast paced action with all 4 men hitting big moves. When the dust settles, Orton is the only man standing. Orton gives a double 2nd rope DDT to Del Rio and Ricardo 2-count on Del Rio. Orton tries going for an RKO on Jericho but gets hit with a Codebreaker. Del Rio does the cross armbreaker to Jericho and we could have a new champion. Jericho breaks free and goes for the Walls of Jericho! Del Rio is about to tape when Sheamus goes for the Brogue kick. Jericho moves out of the way and nails Sheamus with a codebreaker! 1-2-no! Jericho screaming at Sheamus and kicking him while he’s down. Jericho goes for the Walls on Sheamus and locks it in. Sheamus refuses to tap, but Jericho moves in to the center of the ring and it’s not looking good. Rnady Orton nails Jericho with an RKO but only gets a 2-count. Sheamus nails Orton with a nasty Brogue kick, but only gets a 2-count. Sheamus hits Jericho with White Noise and gets the pinfall to win the match.
Winner & Still World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus
Backstage, Cody Rhodes is shown with Eve and they talk about Christian and says he made the right decision by picking Santino as his opponent tonight. He turns around and Christian is right behind him. Christian says Cody Rhodes is completely full of crap – and he changed his mind – he wants to challenge Cody tonight for the Intercontinental title. Cody looks pissed as Christian walks off.
Back at ringside, the announcers talk about Christian’s decision to switch his opponent for tonight. The Miz’s music hits and out he comes.
The Miz vs. Bodus Clay
The Miz says he’s pinpointed what’s wrong with WWE – it’s Brodus Clay. He says he’s a better dancer than Brodus Clay and busts out his best Michael Jackson Thriller dance moves. Out comes Brodus Clay and his dancers. Brodus Clay is in control of this one, using his size advantage to throw Miz around the ring. Miz gets in some offense but it doesn’t last long. Clay hits a knee lift, then holds The Miz’s arms behind his back and delivers a series of headbutts to his back. Another minute or two of offense from Brodus Clay before he hits The Miz with a big splash and gets the pinfall.
The Winner: Brodus Clay
After that match, they take several kids into the ring to dance with Brodus Clay. At ringside, Hawkins and Reks are confiscating and tearing up signs from fans that are anti-People Power.
Intercontinental Title Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Christian:
Cody cuts a heel promo as he walks to the ring, running down North Carolina. Out next is Christian to a big pop. Decent 10 minute match with an even split of back and forth action. With Christian down, Cody Rhodes began screaming at him and the crowd. While Cody is freaking out, Christian nails him with the kill switch for the 3-count.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Christian
Promo airs for WWE No Way Out on June 17th.
Josh Matthews interviews WWE Champion CM Punk backstage. Footage is shown from SmackDown when Punk wrestled Kane. Daniel Bryan was on commentary and tried hitting Punk with a chair. Bryan hit Kane with the chair, got Punk disqualified and caused Kane to destroy Punk, thinking it was him who hit him with the chair. Punk says he’s feeling like crap – but he has reason to smile – because John Laurinaitis is getting fired tonight. But first – he has to deal with Daniel Bryan. Punk says it’s a triumph that he and Daniel Bryan have known each other for 10 years and have a ton of history. AJ walks in and says she can’t wait to watch the match tonight and gives Punk sexy/creepy eyes.
WWE Championship Match: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan
Bryan is out first followed by CM Punk. Justin Roberts handles the formal ring introductions. The bell rings and the crowd is firmly behind CM Punk. Yes! chants have broken out. Great technical wrestling and the crowd is split between both men. Bryan nails Punk with some brutal elbows to the head Brock Lesnar style. Several European uppercuts and CM Punk gets the upperhand. Punk goes for a surfboard submission. Missile dropkick from the top rope by Daniel Bryan and the challenger is in control so far. Daniel Bryan locks in a surfboard submission again and turns it into a modified dragon sleeper hold. CM Punk hits a fisherman’s suplex for a 2 count.
Back and forth “Daniel Bryan – CM Punk” crowd with the crowd very split. Daniel Bryan off the top rope with a diving head butt. Daniel Bryan nails his Yes! kicks on Punk, before Punk catches a kick and goes for a figure 4 leglock. The crowd chants Wooooo as Punk and Bryan go back and forth slapping each other in the face while the leglock is still on. Bryan makes it to the ropes. Fast paced action – with Daniel Bryan delivering a swift kick to the back of Punk’s head. 2-count on Punk. The crowd is chanting “This is awesome.” Daniel Bryan pulls down his knee brace to expose his knee. He delivers a few knees to Punk’s gut in the corner as the crowd chants “Yes!”. Punk sets up Daniel Bryan on the rope and delivers a clothes line from the top rope.
Punk goes for the Go To Sleep but gets a 2-count. The action is very fast paced. Bryan thrown over the top rope but holds on and skins the cat. He gets back into the ring and gets kicked in the face by Punk. 2-count and both men are down and hurting. Punk goes to the top rope and nails the Savage elbow drop. Punk is hurting and selling injured ribs from Daniel Bryan’s offense earlier in the match. Daniel Bryan is delivering knees to Punk’s ribs as the crowd chants Yes! CM Punk goes for a bulldog but Bryan avoids it and locks in the Yes! Lock. Bryan is screaming YES! as they roll back together and the referee counts the 3. Punk taps as soon as the ref counts 3. Bryan’s shoulders were down and the referee counted the 3 before Punk tapped – so Punk is our winner. Very good match.
Winner & STILL WWE Champion: CM Punk
Backstage, Eve and David Otunga are walking around and bump into Teddy Long. They ask Teddy why he looks so happy – and they know what he’s thinking. If John Laurinaitis loses tonight and gets fired – he thinks he’ll be re-hired as General Manager. Teddy says if Laurinaitis gets fired, the Board of Directors might actually put Eve and Otunga in charge. However, the Board of Directors might also fire them too.
Camacho vs. Ryback
The crowd chants Goldberg as Camacho gets ready to be destroyed. Camacho goes for a suplex but it’s blocked. Ryback suplexes him and demands he get up for more. Ryback takes him down with a sloppy kick. More Goldberg chants. Ryback dominates him with power moves and even lands a few shots on Hunico whenever he gets on the apron. Spinebuster on Camacho and Ryback lifts him up for a powerbomb. Ryback hits his finisher for the win.
Winner: Ryback
WCW Clash of the Champions DVD promo. At ringside, the announcers hype the main event up next.
John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis (No DQ, No Countouts)
John Laurinaitis is out first in a red People Power track suit followed by John Cena. Laurinaitis takes off his track jacket to reveal his ring gear – black People Power body armor. As soon as the bell rings, Laurinaitis runs away. Cena chases him down outside the ring and brings him back into the ring. Cena throws him into the corner, pulls his shirt over his head and delivers several slaps to Laurinaitis’ bare chest and back. Cena gets Laurinaitis on his back and does an airplan spin. Total joke match so far with Michael Cole and the announcers laughing hysterically. It’s really not that funny. John Cena grabs the ring bell and rings it right next to Laurinaitis’ ear several times. Laurinaitis is selling that it really hurt his ears. Cena slams Laurinaitis into the announcers table several times. Cole asks if he’s ok as Cena does it again. Cena is destroying Laurinaitis. Cena puts a headset on Laurinaitis and puts one on himself and starts doing commentary. Cena pretends to be Booker T and then Michael Cole.
Laurinaitis is hurt bad an extends a handshake to Cena, hoping to declare a truce. Cena asks the crowd if he should do it and slaps Laurinaitis in he face instead. Body slam. Elbow off the ropes. Cena grabs a microphone and says he’s about to lock in the STF. He reminds him that if he taps out, he’s fired. Cena says he’ll let go if he can last 10 seconds. Cena asks the crowd to count along. He lasts 10 seconds and lets go of the hold. Cena says the good news is that he made it. The bad news is that he’s going to do it again. Laurinaitis holds on for 10 seconds once again – and Cena says this is pretty exhausting. Cena says he needs a drink – and Michael Cole says he could use one too after watching this match. Amen. Cena says Lauriniatis looks parched and brings several bottles of water into the ring. He dumps them over Laurinaitis’ head and then dumps one down the front of his pants.
Cena grabs a fire extinguisher and teases that he’s going to spray it into Laurinaitis’ face. Cena then sprays him down. Cena grabs a garbage pail from ringside and dumps it over Laurinaitis’ head. Laurinaitis escapes through the crowd but Cena catches him. Laurinaitis hurts Cena by attacking the arm that Brock Lesnar injured at Extreme Rules last month. Laurinaitis getting in some offense as they return to the ring. Laurinaitis gets a steel chair and nails Cena with it in the gut and then over the back several times. Laurinaitis gets a 2-count and grabs the chair again. Cena blocks a chairshot and hits Laurinaitis with it. Cena does You Can’t See me then hits Laurianitis with the chair again. Laurinaitis hits Cena with a low blow and rolls outside of the ring. Laurinaitis leaves through the crowd and exits the arena. Cena looks confused – when the Big Show comes out with Laurinaitis by the throat.
Big Show brings John Laurinaitis to the ring and throws him into the ring by his neck. John Laurinaitis is on the mat in between John Cena and the Big Show. Laurinaitis tried crawling away but Big Show steps on his hand to stop him. Big Show grabs Laurinaitis by the throat and Laurinaitis pleads with him. Big Show throws Laurinaitis into Cena, who hoists him up for the Attitude Adjustment. Big Show then lands a knockout punch on John Cena and knocks him out cold. Laurinaitis wakes up and pins John Cena 1-2-3.
Winner: John Laurinaitis
After the match, Big Show holds up John Laurinaitis’ hand as the announcers speculate why the Big Show had a change of heart and sided with John Laurinaitis.
Laurinaitis walks to the back as the PPV goes off the air.
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