Written By: Mark Armstrong
Running Time: 166 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Number Of Discs: 1
Studio: Clear Vision Ltd/Silver Vision
Released: September 3 2012
Rarely has a supershow ever had a bigger contrast between its top two matches as is the case with Over The Limit 2012. One is a classic WWE Championship battle; the other is a one-sided affair that ended up being named amongst the year’s worst encounters. If nothing else, it means that the show featured on this DVD is memorable!
The opening Battle Royal to determine an opponent for either the Intercontinental or United States titles marks the return of Christian from injury, and also sees Captain Charisma turn babyface. Layla vs. Beth Phoenix is competent but heatless, whilst the doubles match (R-Truth & Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger) exceeds expectations, though the Dolph/Jack combo would be dissolved shortly afterwards.
The World Heavyweight Championship four-way is very good; in a darkly comical moment, two of the participants (Randy Orton and Chris Jericho) would set up a feud the next night, only to both be suspended shortly afterwards. Brodus Clay defeating The Miz is a bizarre result when reading it today, but it was just as strange at the time, since Miz had been WWE Champion little over a year earlier.
Christian decided to pick a shot at Cody Rhodes and his IC Title via his Battle Royal win, which we get next. Following this is the highlight of the card, as CM Punk and Daniel Bryan put on a terrific contest for the WWE Championship, in what is one of the year’s very best matches. Ryback’s squash win over Camacho, less so.
Despite the obvious potential of Punk vs. Bryan, it is John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis (with Laurinaitis’ job at stake) which headlines. It may have been entertaining on Raw, but as a PPV main event, it is awful, especially given the Punk-Bryan bout also being on the show. Big Show’s 700th heel turn gives Big Johnny the victory in what is a strong contender for the worst match of 2012, ending a respectable card on a low note.
Ignoring the main event, Over The Limit 2012 is really good, and Punk-Bryan is a must-watch. Cena-Laurinaitis drags things down, though, meaning that by watching this DVD, you will see the very best and the very worst of WWE from that era.
Overall Rating: 6.5/10 – Okay
