Over the Limit (2012)

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Over the Limit
Promotion
WWE
DateMay 20, 2012 (2012-05-20)
CityRaleigh, North Carolina
VenuePNC Arena
Attendance8,000[1]
Buy rate167,000[2]
Pay-per-view chronology
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Extreme Rules 		Next →
No Way Out
Over the Limit chronology
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2011 		Next →
Final

The 2012 Over the Limit was the third annual and final

No Disqualification match. In 2013, Over the Limit was going to be held in October but was replaced by Battleground
.

Ten

main event, John Laurinaitis defeated John Cena in a No Disqualification match. Also featured were CM Punk defeating Daniel Bryan to retain the WWE Championship, and Sheamus defeating Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton, and Chris Jericho to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
.

The event garnered 167,000 buys, up from 140,000 the previous year's event received.

Production

Background

The event was held at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.

No Disqualification match was contested as the main event for the 2012 event. This would also be the only Over the Limit to not occur during a brand extension, which had ended in August 2011.[4]

Storylines

The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed

less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Raw and SmackDown.[5][6]

The main event feud was between John Cena and the General Manager of Raw and SmackDown, John Laurinaitis. On the night after losing to The Rock in the main event of WrestleMania XXVIII in early April,[7] Cena's promo was interrupted by a returning Brock Lesnar, who immediately attacked him with an F-5.[8] It was revealed the next week on Raw that Laurinaitis hired Lesnar to replace Cena as "the face of the WWE" by taking him out at Extreme Rules.[9] A battered Cena barely managed to defeat Lesnar, and in a post-match promo, emphasized his injuries and announced he would be "taking a vacation".[10] The next night on Raw, Lesnar attacked WWE COO Triple H (while he was arguing with Laurinaitis about the validity of Lesnar's contract), breaking his arm. With Lesnar's WWE job now in jeopardy, and after advice from his Executive Administrator Eve Torres, Laurinaitis decided on Cena's next opponent, for Over the Limit. Later that night, while Cena was in the ring, Laurinaitis appeared on the entrance stage to introduce Lord Tensai. Laurinaitis and Tensai then attacked Cena, and Laurinaitis revealed himself as Cena's opponent.[11] The WWE Board of Directors stipulated the only way to win was via pinfall or submission, and anybody interfering in Laurinaitis' behalf would be immediately fired and, if Laurinaitis lost the match, he would be fired.[12]

Another feud heading into Over the Limit was between

Beat the Clock matches on the April 30 episode of Raw. In the final match of the evening, Bryan defeated Jerry Lawler in the fastest time to become the #1 contender.[11]

Another storyline led to

Brogue Kicked Orton. After the match, Orton gave Sheamus an RKO. Del Rio, Jericho, and Orton then all went into John Laurinaitis' office and demanded title opportunities against Sheamus, leading to a brawl between the three and Sheamus, which was broken up by officials. Laurinaitis then informed Sheamus that he would defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Del Rio, Jericho, and Orton in a fatal-four way match at Over the Limit.[14]

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
English
Commentators
 Michael Cole
Jerry Lawler
Booker T
Spanish Commentators Carlos Cabrera
Marcelo Rodriguez
Backstage
interviewer
 Josh Mathews
Ring announcers Lilian Garcia
Justin Roberts
Referees Mike Chioda
Charles Robinson
John Cone
Jack Doan
Scott Armstrong
Chad Patton

Pre-show

During the pre-show,

Rough Ryder on Kane, Kane performed a Chokeslam on Ryder to win the match.[15]

Preliminary matches

The actual pay-per-view opened with a 20 man Battle Royal for a

Christian. After Miz and Otunga worked together to eliminate Kidd, Christian eliminated Otunga. Christian eliminated Miz to win the match.[15]

Next,

Jack Swagger. The match ended when Kingston executed Trouble in Paradise on Ziggler to retain the titles.[15]

After that, Layla defended the Divas Championship against Beth Phoenix. Layla executed a Neckbreaker on Phoenix to retain the title.[15]

In the fourth match, Sheamus defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, and Alberto Del Rio (accompanied by Ricardo Rodriguez) in a fatal four-way match. The match came to an end when Sheamus executed White Noise on Jericho to retain the title.[15]

Later,

Brodus Clay (accompanied by his background dancers, Cameron and Naomi) in an impromptu match. Miz cut a promo in the ring where he was livid about losing on the pre-show and vented out his frustrations to WWE management before Clay came out. Clay executed a Running Splash on Miz to win the match.[15]

In the sixth match, Cody Rhodes defended the Intercontinental Championship against Christian. Christian executed a Killswitch on Rhodes to win the title for a fourth time.[15]

Next, CM Punk defended the WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan. In the end, Bryan applied the Yes Lock on Punk, but Punk managed to pin Bryan to retain the title despite submitting as the pinfall was counted.[15]

In the penultimate match,

Hunico). Ryback dominated Camacho throughout the match. In the end, Ryback delivered a Shell Shocked to Camacho to win the match.[15]

Main event

In the main event, John Cena faced Raw and SmackDown General Manager John Laurinaitis in a No Disqualification match with Laurinaitis' job on the line. Laurinaitis won as Big Show, who he had previously been fired for mocking his voice, interfered and turned heel by knocking Cena out with a WMD, allowing Laurinaitis to pin him and keep his job.[15]

Aftermath

The 2012 Over the Limit was the final Over the Limit held. As Extreme Rules took the May 2013 PPV slot, Over the Limit was going to be held in October, but it was instead replaced by Battleground.[16]

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
No Disqualification match[21]

Had Cena won, Laurinaitis would have been fired, and anyone who interfered would have been fired.		17:02
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Battle Royal

Elimination Wrestler Eliminated by Times
1 Heath Slater The Great Khali 1:27
2
Michael McGillicutty
 1:40
3 JTG The Usos 2:02
4 Yoshi Tatsu Drew McIntyre 2:18
5 Ezekiel Jackson Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks 2:30
6 Jey Uso Darren Young 3:07
7 Drew McIntyre Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks 3:40
8
Curt Hawkins
 The Great Khali 3:56
9
Tyler Reks
 3:57
10 Jinder Mahal 4:08
11 The Great Khali Darren Young, The Miz, and Titus O'Neil 5:21
12 Titus O'Neil Jimmy Uso 6:03
13 Jimmy Uso Darren Young 6:40
14 William Regal Christian 7:17
15
Darren Young
 Alex Riley 7:48
16 Alex Riley The Miz 8:30
17 Tyson Kidd David Otunga 9:32
18 David Otunga Christian 11:29
19 The Miz 12:24
Winner: Christian

References

  1. ^ Martin, Adam (May 24, 2012). "Recent WWE attendance figures (5/19 to 5/21)". WrestleView. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  2. ^ "WWE Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results" (PDF). WWE (Press release). August 2, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  3. World Wrestling Entertainment
    . Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  4. ^ Nemer, Paul (August 30, 2011). "Raw Results – 8/29/11". WrestleView. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  5. Discovery Communications. Archived
    from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  6. ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on November 22, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  7. ^ Canton, John (March 22, 2022). "WWE WrestleMania 28 Review". TJR Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  8. ^ Caldwell, James (April 2, 2012). "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 4/2: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – WM28 fall-out, how will Cena respond to Rock loss?, two big title matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  9. ^ Caldwell, James (April 9, 2012). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 4/9: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Lesnar officially returns & Cena responds, Stooges". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  10. ^ Caldwell, James (April 29, 2012). "Caldwell's WWE Extreme Rules PPV Report 4/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Brock-Cena, Punk-Jericho in Chicago". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Caldwell, James (April 30, 2012). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 4/30: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw Starring Brock Lesnar – PPV fall-out, Triple H returns". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  12. ^ Caldwell, James (May 14, 2012). "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 5/14: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Cena & Triple H return, final PPV hype". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  13. ^ Parks, Greg (April 6, 2012). "Parks' WWE SmackDown Report 4/6: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  14. ^ Caldwell, James (May 7, 2012). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 5/7: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - broken bones follow-up, Over the Limit hype". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Canton, John (May 22, 2022). "WWE Over The Limit 2012 Review". TJR Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  16. Super Luchas. Archived
    from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  17. ^ "WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler". WWE. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  18. ^ "WWE Divas Champion Layla vs. Beth Phoenix". WWE. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  19. ^ "Fatal-4-Way World Heavyweight Championship Match". WWE. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  20. ^ "WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan". WWE. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  21. ^ "John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis". WWE. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
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