The 2011Over the Limitwas the second annualOver the Limitprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV)eventproduced byWWE.It was held for wrestlers from the promotion'sRawandSmackDownbrand divisions.The event took place on May 22, 2011, at theKeyArenainSeattle,Washington.The name "Over the Limit" was a reference to its main event match being contested as an"I Quit" match.It was the final Over the Limit held during the first brand extension, which ended in August.
| Over the Limit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown | ||
| Date | May 22, 2011 | ||
| City | Seattle,Washington | ||
| Venue | KeyArena | ||
| Attendance | 7,500[1] | ||
| Buy rate | 140,000[2] | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
| |||
| Over the Limitchronology | |||
| |||
Nine matches took place during the event, eight of which were broadcastliveon pay-per-view. In the main event,John Cenaretained Raw'sWWE Championshipby defeatingThe Mizin an "I Quit" match. Elsewhere on the card,Wade Barrettretained SmackDown'sIntercontinental ChampionshipagainstEzekiel Jackson,Big ShowandKaneretained theWWE Tag Team ChampionshipagainstThe New Nexus(CM PunkandMason Ryan),Brie Bellaretained theWWE Divas ChampionshipagainstKelly Kelly,andRandy Ortonretained SmackDown'sWorld Heavyweight ChampionshipagainstChristian.
Over the Limit received 140,000 buys worldwide, significantly down from the2010 edition's 197,000 buys.
Production
editBackground
edit
In2010,WWEdiscontinued their previously annual Maypay-per-view(PPV)Judgment Dayand replaced it with a new PPV titledOver the Limit.The name "Over the Limit" was a reference to its main event match being contested as an"I Quit" match.[3]In April 2011, the promotion ceased going by its full name of World Wrestling Entertainment, with "WWE" becoming anorphaned initialism.[4]Over the Limit then returned in May as the second event in theOver the Limitannual chronology and again featured an "I Quit" match as the main event. It took place on May 22, 2011, at theKeyArenainSeattle,Washingtonand featured wrestlers from theRawandSmackDownbrands.[5]
Storylines
editTheprofessional wrestling matchesat Over the Limit featured professional wrestlers performing ascharactersinscripted eventspre-determined by the hostingpromotion,WWE.[6][7]Storylines between the characters were produced on WWE's weekly television showsRawandSmackDownwith the Raw and SmackDown brands—storyline divisions in which WWE assigned its employees to different programs.[8]
The mainfeudfrom the Raw brand heading into Over the Limit was betweenJohn CenaandThe Mizover theWWE Championship.[9]John Cena won the WWE Championship from The Miz in atriple threatSteel Cage matchthat also featuredJohn MorrisonatExtreme Rules.[10]The Miz invoked his rematch clause the following night. He initially won the match by hitting Cena with the WWE Championship belt, but the referee immediately reversed his decision after seeing the belt in the ring. Thus, The Miz was disqualified and Cena retained the championship via disqualification.[11]On the May 9 episode ofRaw,The Miz defeatedRey MysterioandAlberto Del Rioto earn another shot at the WWE Championship. Later that night, Cena announced that their match would be an"I Quit" match.[12][13]
The main feud on theSmackDownbrand was betweenRandy OrtonandChristianover theWorld Heavyweight Championship.[14][15]AtExtreme Rules,Christian defeatedAlberto Del Rioin aLadder matchto win his first World Heavyweight Championship.[10]On the following episode ofSmackDown,aired on May 6, Randy Orton defeated Christian to win the World Heavyweight Championship.[16]The following week, it was announced that Christian would invoke his rematch clause against Randy Orton at Over the Limit.[17][18][19]
An ongoing feud involvedRawcommentatorsMichael ColeandJerry Lawler.[20]AtWrestleMania XXVII,Lawler made Cole submit to the ankle lock, but the anonymous Raw General Managerreversedthe special guest referee,Stone Cold Steve Austin's decision, making Cole the winner via disqualification.[21]AtExtreme Rules,Cole teamed up withJack Swaggerto face and defeat Lawler andJim Rossin a tag teamCountry Whipping matchafter Cole pinned Jim Ross.[10]OnRawon May 9, Lawler challenged Cole to another match with a stipulation that Lawler would give him his Hall of Fame Ring and, should Cole be honored, personally induct him into theWWE Hall of Fame.After an altercation, Jack Swagger agreed to the match on behalf of Cole.[12][13]A contract signing for the match took place on the May 16 where it was revealed after the contract was signed that the match is also going to be a "Kiss My Foot" match, where the loser must kiss the winner's feet.[22][23]
Another feud from the SmackDown brand involved former alliesIntercontinental ChampionWade Barrett,and the rest ofThe Corre,againstEzekiel Jackson.[24]At Extreme Rules, Barrett and Jackson faced theWWE Tag Team ChampionsBig ShowandKane.Ezekiel had the early advantage in the match. However, Barrett tagged himself in the match just to get pinned by Big Show.[10]The following week, Jackson decided to leave the Corre. Later that night, his former teammatesHeath Slater,Justin Gabriel,and Barrett attacked him in the locker room.[16]On May 13, onSmackDown,Barrett challenged Jackson to a match at Over the Limit for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.[17][19][25]
Another feud from the Raw brand involvedR-TruthandRey Mysterio.[26]On May 9, Mysterio and R-Truth, along with The Miz and Alberto Del Rio, had a confrontation over the number one contendership to the WWE Championship. Theanonymous Raw General Manager,however, announced that only Mysterio, Del Rio and The Miz were to compete for the number one contendership in a triple threat match. R-Truth still believes that he is better than the other three, especially Rey Mysterio. After the Triple Threat match, which was won by The Miz, Truth attacked Mysterio in the ring.[12][13]The following week, R-Truth announced that he would face Mysterio at Over the Limit.[22][23]
On May 16, it was announced that The Big Show and Kane would defend the WWE Tag Team Championship againstMason RyanandCM Punkfrom theNew Nexusat Over the Limit.[22][23][27]
OnSmackDown,on May 20, it was announced thatBrie Bellawould defend herWWE Divas ChampionshipagainstKelly Kellyat Over the Limit.[28]On the same night,Chavo Guerreroannounced that he would be facingSin Cara.[29][30][31]
Event
edit| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Englishcommentators | Michael Cole |
| Jerry Lawler | |
| Booker T | |
| Josh Mathews | |
| Jim Ross | |
| Matt Striker | |
| Spanish commentators | Marcelo Rodríguez |
| Hugo Savinovich | |
| Backstageinterviewer | Josh Mathews |
| Ring announcers | Tony Chimel |
| Justin Roberts | |
| Referees | Mike Chioda |
| Charles Robinson | |
| John Cone | |
| Jack Doan | |
| Chad Patton | |
| Scott Armstrong | |
| Justin King |
Preliminary matches
editThe event opened with R-Truth facing Rey Mysterio. R-Truth performed a Shut Up on Mysterio to win the match.[32]
Next, Wade Barrett defended the Intercontinental Championship against Ezekiel Jackson. In the end, Jackson applied the Torture Rack on Barrett but Justin Gabriel interfered, resulting in Jackson winning by disqualification.[32]
After that, Sin Cara faced Chavo Guerrero Jr. Sin Cara performed a Tilt-A-Whirl Headscissors Takedown on Guerrero to win the match.[32]
In the fourth match, Big Show and Kane defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against The New Nexus (CM Punk and Mason Ryan). The match ended when Big Show and Kane performed a double Chokeslam on Ryan to retain the titles.[32]
Later, Brie Bella defended the WWE Divas Championship against Kelly Kelly. Brie performed a Bella Buster on Kelly to retain the title.[32]
Main event matches
editIn the sixth match, Randy Orton defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Christian. During the match, Orton attempted a Punt Kick but Christian performed a Spear on Orton for a near-fall. In the climax, Christian attempted a Killswitch but Orton and performed an RKO on Christian to retain the title.[32]
In the seventh match,Jerry LawlerfacedMichael Colein aKiss My Foot Match.Lawler performed a Diving Fist Drop on Cole to win the match. After the match,Eveperformed a diving Moonsault on Cole,Jim Rosspoured barbecue sauce over Cole andBret Hartapplied the sharpshooter on Cole whilst Cole kissed Lawler's foot.[32]
In the main event, John Cena defended the WWE Championship against The Miz in an "I Quit" match. At the start of the match, Cena took control of The Miz whilst attacking Alex Riley. Cena applied the STF on The Miz but Riley broke the hold. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on The Miz but Riley hit Cena with a briefcase. After The Miz and Riley double-teamed Cena, The Miz performed a Snap DDT onto the steel steps but Cena refused to quit. Cena managed to push Riley into the ring post but The Miz hit Cena with a chair. Cena took control of The Miz and Cena pushed Riley, knocking him into the referee. When Riley asked Cena whether he wanted to quit, Cena was heard saying "I quit", seemingly resulting in The Miz winning the title. After the referee heard a recording of Cena saying "I quit", the match was restarted. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Riley through the broadcast table and hit The Miz with a leather belt whilst The Miz ran up the entrance ramp. Cena applied the STF on The Miz, who quit, resulting in Cena retaining the title.[32]
Reception
editOver The Limit 2011 received mixed reviews from critics, in his review forThe Sun,Rob McNichol reported that the main event saw John Cena in a "typical 'superman' performance, Cena suffered a torturous beating before recovering to beat the former champion". "It was an old-fashioned, Hogan-esque performance which the young fans who look to Cena as a superhero would have adored, while many purists would have cringed at the contrived narrative".
The SmackDown main event and both wrestlers involved were highly praised, being described as "a tremendous match that will no doubt gain universal praise" and that "Christian has developed into a very accomplished wrestler, and Orton is arguably the best all rounder in the game right now, so a cracking match was not a surprise".
The opening bout between Rey Mysterio vs R Truth was mentioned as being "a satisfactory opening match" and adding that "R-Truth entering the arena to no music — another nice touch in the development in Ron Killings' new heel persona".
Sin Cara beat Chavo Guerrero in what was "virtually a showcase match for the former Mistico, but once again the masked Mexican failed to truly shine, making a hash of the finish".
The match between Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole was mixed, but Jim Ross and Bret Hart's appearances were praised by critics.
The Sunawarded WWE Over the Limit 2011 8 out of 10.
Aftermath
editThe 2011 Over the Limit was the last Over the Limit held during the first brand extension, which ended in August.[33]
Results
edit| No. | Results[32] | Stipulations | Times[32] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1D | Daniel BryandefeatedDrew McIntyrebysubmission[34] | Singles match | — | ||||
| 2 | R-TruthdefeatedRey Mysterio[26] | Singles match | 08:12 | ||||
| 3 | Ezekiel JacksondefeatedWade Barrett(c) bydisqualification[24] | Singles match for theWWE Intercontinental Championship | 07:27 | ||||
| 4 | Sin CaradefeatedChavo Guerrero[29] | Singles match | 07:23 | ||||
| 5 | Big Show and Kane(c) defeatedThe New Nexus(CM PunkandMason Ryan)[27] | Tag team matchfor theWWE Tag Team Championship | 09:06 | ||||
| 6 | Brie Bella(c) (withNikki Bella) defeatedKelly Kelly[28] | Singles match for theWWE Divas Championship | 04:03 | ||||
| 7 | Randy Orton(c) defeatedChristian[14] | Singles match for theWorld Heavyweight Championship | 16:52 | ||||
| 8 | Jerry LawlerdefeatedMichael Cole[20] | Kiss my Foot match Had Lawler lost, he would have had to give hisHall of Fame ringto Cole and personally induct Cole intoThe Hall of Fame. | 03:01 | ||||
| 9 | John Cena(c) defeatedThe Miz(withAlex Riley)[9] | "I Quit" matchfor theWWE Championship | 24:56 | ||||
| |||||||
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