Notes from the Nosebleeds #67
May 22, 2010
By: Matt O’Brien of Wrestleview.com
You are invited to enjoy…
What: WWE Over the Limit
When: Sunday May 23rd, 2010
Where: Detroit, Michigan at the Joe Louis Arena
This Sunday’s Over the Limit pay per view promises to be a great show. Looking at the lineup,
What follows are not predictions, but a look at the significance of the matches going down on Sunday. The card will determine just where WWE will be going through the summer.
Ted Dibiase vs. R-Truth.
You can accuse TNA of rehashing old storylines, but WWE has been bordering on a downright remake of the Million Dollar Man character. Between the Million Dollar title and the return of Virgil, WWE is right on the fence between a groaning rehash of an old character and a clever development of a rising star. Which side Dibiase will fall to remains to be seen and cannot fully be judged for some time. Meanwhile, R-Truth may just be the best guy opponent for Dibiase right now. You have two men from two very different backgrounds, both possibly breaking into WWE’s main event scene within the next year. This match is very reminiscent of the MVP-Jack Swagger match from Summerslam last year, with the winner sort being the designated rising star.
The Intercontinental Championship is on the line between Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston.
McIntyre’s I-C title reign had interest waning (if it had much to begin with) until Teddy Long stripped Drew of the title after his reckless behavior on Smackdown. The creative team is really starting to push the Vince McMahon favoritism angle with McIntyre. By having Kingston being robbed of the title on Friday, a match that has very little interest on paper now shows some promise, at least creatively. This match may be Kingston’s chance to break back onto the scene since his program with Randy Orton late last year. Quality-wise, it could be the worst match on the card, but Kingston’s energy should be able to pump some life into it.
Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk. If Punk falls to Rey, he loses his hair. If Mysterio fails to win, he has to join the Straight Edge Society.
WWE’s most consistent feud in 2010 turns another page this Sunday. WWE was smart to have the stipulations spread out over the course of a couple of pay per views as opposed to having the SES vs. Hair match at Wrestlemania. That allowed them to spread the program out and keep two of the best workers on Smackdown in a prominent program with each other while the show underwent a transition following the draft. Punk and Mysterio are two guys who could fight each other on any night and it would never get old. That may play into a few fans out there rooting for Punk so that the few keeps going. Mysterio could fight for his freedom while Punk humiliates him week after week on television. Perhaps in the end a true alliance between the two is formed. Typically a wrestling match focuses more on who wins, but this particular bout on Sunday focuses more on who loses the match than who wins.
John Cena vs. Batista.
In the feud between Batista and John Cena, the outcome appears to be fairly obvious for this Sunday’s fight. Batista does not have much time left with WWE, and this match would make a great exit for him. We may see a swerve, much like we did when Jeff Hardy was leaving. Batista could capture the belt and then stay on for a few more weeks before leaving for good. Regardless, this match will be the best of the feud. Cena is incredible in I Quit matches and Batista may have found his best opponent in Cena. With Cena’s upcoming win and the impending departure of Batista, Cena becomes the definitive star of this generation.
Chris Jericho and the Miz challenge the Hart Dynasty for the Tag team Championship.
Chris Jericho has a habit of making title pictures interesting. Had it not been for him, the tag team title picture may not have had any significance over the last year. With the Miz as his new partner, Jericho looks to be regaining the championship again. Given Jericho’s history with the Hart family and Miz’s recent activity with Bret Hart, this match is just a natural step. It will likely be the best match hart Dynasty has had in WWE so far. Tyson Kidd will make a great baby face in peril, with DH Smith getting the opportunity to show the world what he is truly made of when he steps foot in the ring with two of the best members of the WWE roster. Jericho and Miz could be about to embark on the tag team run that WWE had hoped for Jericho and Edge last year.
Randy Orton vs. Edge.
Without a doubt, the most intriguing match on the card will be Randy Orton going one-on-one with Edge. It is a fresh program for the company and a fresh direction for both men. The only thing that would make this any better is if there was a title on the line. Orton’s character is on fire and Edge is finally hitting his stride since his lackluster return in January. So many fans are excited to see this match and have been since the days of Rated-RKO in 2007. At this point it truly doesn’t matter who wins this match. They will likely continue this feud for a few months. Look for both Edge and Orton to join Sheamus and John Cena in the main event of Fatal Four-Way next month.
Jack Swagger defends the World Championship against the Big Show.
If someone told you two months ago that Over the Limit’s World title match would be between Jack Swagger and Big Show, you would have laughed in their face. I myself have been critical of Swagger but he has really run with the ball. Typically Mr. Show can play off of anyone he is going against, but Swagger has been hanging in there with Show. Big Show is the perfect guy for Swagger to work with and develop himself as the champion of the blue brand. Hopefully, this Sunday is not the end for the feud, but the beginning of a rivalry.
Maryse tries to recapture the Divas Championship from Eve Torres.
The two should have a solid rematch. This looks to be the top Divas feud for the summer. That being said, the outcome should give these two a reason to keep fighting. A Maryse win would seem the right decision, but it really could go either way.
Aside from the matches, there are other intriguing aspects of Sunday’s show. Will Bret Hart show up? Could we see something happen with the U.S. title? There is also the possibility that Bryan Danielson will make an appearance. And what about Michael Cole? Is he just going to stroll out and do commentary like nothing happened this week? WW has put together a strong card, one that will determine the direction of the company through the summer. Enjoy.
Thanks for reading
Matt O’Brien