411’s Instant Access: WWE Over The Limit 2011

Hey kids, I’m Scott, and this is 411’s Instant Access: WWE Over The Limit 2011. Instant Access is the companion piece to 411 Live Pay-Per-View Coverage and features immediate reaction to wrestling pay-per-views. The focus in Instant Access is on first thoughts and initial reactions instead of play-by-play with the goal of providing you with instant access to one writer’s thoughts on the show. Here’s the team for Over The Limit:

• Scott Slimmer, author of Don’t Think Twice.

Okay kids, enough with the explanations. Let’s get to the wrestling.

Rey Mysterio vs. R-Truth
Match Result: R-Truth defeats Rey Mysterio with the Shut Up!
Match Length: 8:13
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: I like the fact that R-Truth is getting a serious push and received a pay-per-view match on a show in which many other mid-carders (Alberto Del Rio, Kofi Kingston, Sheamus, etc.) did not. However, as will become a trend tonight, this match was nothing more than what we see on free television every week. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with it, but it was certainly a long way from memorable. However, having Truth pick up a pay-per-view win over an established star like Rey Mysterio will definitely help build his momentum. There is certainly room for Truth’s feud with Mysterio to continue, but I could also easily see him transitioning to a feud with Kofi Kingston for the Intercontinental Championship.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: **

Intercontinental Championship Match
Wade Barrett (Champion) vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Match Result: Ezekiel Jackson defeats Wade Barrett by disqualification.
Match Length: 7:30
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: This match was simultaneously better and worse than the opening contest between Rey Mysterio and R-Truth. The in-ring action between Barrett and Jackson was actually quite compelling, and the full-throttle power battle between the two monsters was a nice change of pace from the typical WWE fare. Under the right circumstances, Barrett and Jackson could have easily put on at least a *** star match. However, the pointless run-in / disqualification booking completely ruined what could have been a fine little match. This kind of angle development belongs on free television, not on pay-per-view. I can tolerate run-ins and disqualifications on pay-per-view from time to time when they are surprising or significant, but the continuing implosion of the Corre is nothing new or noteworthy. The booking here didn’t do any favors for anyone involved, but I was still impressed by the in-ring action that preceded the finish. Normally, you would assume that someone breaking away from a heel stable would be poised for a face turn. However, I truly hope that Ezekiel Jackson is allowed to remain a heel when he does eventually go solo. His intense demeanor and power-based offense are much better suited to heel psychology, and I fear that he would be lost in the shuffle if he was forced to be a face.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: **

Sin Cara vs. Chavo Guerrero
Match Result: Sin Cara defeats Chavo Guerrero with BOTCHED FINISH #9 (© 2011 Jeff Small).
Match Length: 7:23
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: Just like the first two matches on the card, this was yet another television-caliber match that really had no business on pay-per-view. I understand the logic behind having Sin Cara feud with Chavo Guerrero, but that should be nothing more than an introductory feud that serves to build Cara and get him ready for more high profile, pay-per-view worthy feuds. On top of that, this was the first match on the card where the in-ring action actually fell apart from time to time, and the botched finish can’t be overlooked. I like Sin Cara, and I was excited to see him join WWE. However, after this performance, I’m guessing that I’m not the only one with serious questions about the Sin Cara experiment. If Cara isn’t moved into a feud with a half-way legitimate opponent (Sheamus and Cody Rhodes would seem to be obvious choices), then he may find himself living la vida Superstars.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: *½

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
The Big Show & Kane (Champions) vs. CM Punk & Mason Ryan
Match Result: The Big Show defeats Mason Ryan with a double choke slam.
Match Length: 9:06
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: Okay, we’ll start with the good news. I’m glad to see the WWE Tag Team Championships being defended on pay-per-view, and the fact that they are being held by two former world champions definitely helps to begin to rebuild the credibility of the belts. In addition, I like how CM Punk is being used to build Mason Ryan much like Triple H was used to build Batista all those years ago. However, with that being said, this was yet another forgettable match that belonged on television instead of pay-per-view. Honestly, I was more entertained by Otunga & McGillicutty’s match against Big Show & Kane on Raw than I was by this match tonight. Show and Kane did an admirable job of selling for damn near every one of Ryan’s offensive maneuvers, and the result was that Ryan continues to look like a beast on the rise. However, while I understand that Punk was supposed to look as if he was simply using Ryan to get ahead, the way that Punk was dominated by Show and Kane at every turn almost made him look like a fool. And so here’s the bottom line. I’ve been defending the Nexus / New Nexus / Corre angle for almost a year now. I’ve given it chance after chance after chance. I’ve held out hope that it would all make sense or at least built the next generation of WWE stars. But now I’m done. New Nexus and the Corre need to disband, and their members need to sink or swim on their own merits. Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, and Mason Ryan could all be singles stars. Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater could be a fun tag team. But most importantly, CM Punk needs to be on his own again. He was dragged down by the Straight Edge Society last year, and he’s been dragged down the New Nexus this year. He should have been the future of this promotion, and the only way for him to recapture the magic is to allow him to be his own man. I understand the notion of using established stars to build new stars. It’s a time-honored tradition in this industry. But you simply cannot allow your established stars to falter and fade in the process.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: **

Divas Championship Match
Brie Bella (Champion) vs. Kelly Kelly
Match Result: Nikki Bella (yes, NIKKI Bella) defeats Kelly Kelly with the Bella Buster.
Match Length: 3:46
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: Sweet Baby James. The ENTIRE Bella / Kelly Kelly feud has been built around the premise that Kharma is eventually going to kill them all. And so, when we finally get a pay-per-view championship match between Brie Bella and Kelly Kelly, I think it was safe to assume that Kharma would make an appearance. Maybe she would destroy everyone and allow Brie to retain via disqualification. Or, far more interestingly, maybe she would help Kelly win the title which would lead to some sort of terrifying infatuation / stalker angle. But I honestly never thought that the Brie would retain via Twin Magic without Kharma making any sort of appearance. While most matches tonight have been on par with typical free television matches, this match was actually far more pointless than most recent Divas matches in which Kharma killed someone dead. I just… oh hell, I don’t know at this point.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: ½*

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy Orton (Champion) vs. Christian
Match Result: Randy Orton defeats Christian with the RKO.
Match Length: 16:52
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: Pick your deity of choice. I don’t care which one, just pick one. And then thank that deity that this match existed, because it was the one and only bright spot on an otherwise bleak show. The action was balls-to-the-wall right from the start, and I honestly can’t remember another match with two count after two count after two count right from the opening bell. Jeff Small called this a definite MOTYC. I’m not sure I’d go that far, but it was certainly a great match that proved the Orton / Christian feud still has a lot of gas in the tank. I was initially skeptical of using this feud to turn Christian heel, but I’m completely on board after watching Christian’s brilliant reaction to losing his rematch. Orton and Christian clearly have great chemistry with each other, and that chemistry will only be enhanced one a clear face / heel dynamic is established. This is by far the most exciting and most compelling feud in WWE at the moment, and I definitely hope that we get at least one or two more pay-per-view matches out of it.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: ****

Kiss My Foot Match
Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Michael Cole
Match Result: Jerry “The King” Lawler defeats Michael Cole with the second rope fist drop.
Match Length: 2:58
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: This wasn’t a match. This wasn’t supposed to be a match. This was a cathartic moment in which everyone wronged by Michael Cole FINALLY got their revenge. It was worthless as a self-contained “match,” but it (hopefully) brings to a close the War of the WWE Announcers. Hopefully this beating will lead to Cole abandoning his super-douche persona and once again at least attempting to be a passable commentator.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: ½*

I Quit Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena (Champion) vs. The Miz
Match Result: John Cena defeats the Miz when Miz quits to the STF.
Match Length: 24:44 (plus a minute or two between the false finish and the match being restarted)
Match Analysis:
Slimmer: John Cena is the face of this generation of WWE Superstars. He stands alongside Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in the Mt. Rushmore of WWE history. As such, I understand and tolerate many of his “Super Cena” comebacks. He is the closest thing to a real-life superhero that this industry has ever seen (sorry, Hurricane). I think he gets a bad rap a lot of the time, and I think much of the criticism against him is unfair. But tonight the “Super Cena” booking went too far, even for me. Tonight the booking went from inspiring to unbelievable. Cena doesn’t look any better because of it, but Miz looks like a moron who couldn’t get the job done even when the deck was stacked in his favor. Miz needs to take some time away from John Cena and the WWE Championship scene in order to rebuilt his credibility, and Cena needs to move on to a feud in which his opponent is allowed to at least look like he might have a chance of posing a threat to Cena’s championship. However, with all of that being said, I do want to give John Cena credit for taking a hell of a beating tonight. Many of those spots and bumps had to hurt like hell. Some of those kendo stick shots were absolutely brutal. Cena loves this business, and tonight he sacrificed his body to try and put on a good show for the fans. I commend him for that, and I think it serves to once again demonstrate why he as EARNED his spot at the top of the card. I’m only sorry that the way this match was booked meant that Cena’s physical sacrifice was in vain.
Match Rating:
Slimmer: *½

Final Thoughts

Match of the Night:
Slimmer: Randy Orton vs. Christian (****)
This match didn’t just steal the show, it was the show. Honestly, without this match, this show would have been precariously close to December to Dismember territory.

Trash of the Night:
Slimmer: Brie Bella vs. Kelly Kelly (½*)
This match was short, uneventful, forgettable, and TOTALLY POINTLESS. We’ve come to expect Kharmaference in Divas matches, and watching Kharma kill bitches dead is the only real joy left in the Divas division. As such, we feel cheated and disappointed when Kharma doesn’t make an appearance, and that’s especially true on pay-per-view.

Final Analysis:
Slimmer: This show sucked. There were 8 matches, and only 1 of them was above **. That’s just terrifying. Granted, that 1 match was great, but 1/8 isn’t anywhere near good enough for a pay-per-view. It’s been a while since I truly regretting paying for a show, but this card wasn’t worth $4.95, let alone $44.95. I can only hope that this ends up being the worst WWE pay-per-view of the year, because I would hate to see a show that’s worse.

Verdict:
Slimmer: *¼