WWE Over The Limit 2012 Results > World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match > Sheamus (c) Vs. Chris Jericho Vs. Alberto Del Rio Vs. Randy Orton

RALEIGH, N.C. – In what was his greatest challenge as champion to date, Sheamus stood up to seemingly insurmountable odds in a brutal Fatal 4-Way Match on his way to retaining the World Heavyweight Title. It was certainly no easy feat, squaring off with three former multi-time World Champions – Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton – but The Celtic Warrior’s triumph cements his rightful place as one of WWE’s most dominant Superstars. (PHOTOS)

The way in which The Great White picked up the victory was undoubtedly impressive – after all, he only had a one in four chance of leaving Raleigh, N.C., victorious. Fatal 4-Way Matches are especially treacherous for the defending champion as they can lose the title even if they don’t submit or succumb to pinfall. With that in mind, The Celtic Warrior’s victory leaves the WWE Universe wondering who could possibly dethrone the World Heavyweight Champion, and what the future holds for his challengers at WWE Over the Limit.

After ring announcer Lilian Garcia made each Superstar’s introduction, the opening bell sounded and each of the four gladiators immediately sized each other up. Clearly, there was a sense of trepidation among them over who to strike first. The free-for-all nature of the Fatal 4-Way leaves each competitor desperate to maintain momentum from the very beginning.

An all-out brawl erupted and Sheamus and Orton focused their attacks on Del Rio and Jericho, quickly removing them from the squared circle. The WWE Universe inside the PNC Arena rose to their feet at The Viper and The Great White sized each other up, ready to strike. The crowd waited with baited breath as the two Superstars taunted each other, only to be stopped by a returning Jericho and Del Rio.

Taking the battle to the outside of the ring, WWE’s Apex Predator and the World Heavyweight Champion once again left their opponents reeling and immediately returned to the ring to face off with one another. The WWE Universe watched anxiously as both Superstars challenged each other and finally went on the offensive.

Returning to the ring, Del Rio and Jericho formed an alliance to attack the venomous Viper and the World Champion. But as Fatal 4-Way Matches typically go, the cohesion between The Mexican Aristocrat and WWE’s first-ever Undisputed Champion was short-lived. As Del Rio and Jericho erupted, the true nature of the Fatal 4-Way was exposed, it was now every Superstar for himself.

When the dust settled, Jerry Lawler summed up the match perfectly by saying, “There was never a time that anyone had a clear advantage.” Momentum is key inside the squared circle, but it was never clearly in anyone’s grasp. The elite Superstars vying for the World Title knew that the only way to come out on top was to seize moments and opportunities. Jericho, fueled by his anger toward an article on WWE.com questioning whether he should have returned (FULL STORY), was the clear victor in terms of timing moments to take out his opponents with a Code Breaker or locking them in the devastating Walls of Jericho. There were many times when Jericho was half a count away from claiming the World Title.

However, to Jericho’s disadvantage, there were too many variables in the ring, including the most explosive, WWE’s Apex Predator. An impressive double DDT delivered to Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez delighted the WWE Universe in Raleigh, but not nearly as much as the flurry of high-impact RKOs that temporarily shifted momentum into The Viper’s corner.

As chaos erupted inside the squared circle, it would be a final opportunity seized by Sheamus that led to victory. With Del Rio reeling on the outside of the ring, The Celtic Warrior took out Orton with a Brogue Kick before delivering a crushing White Noise to Jericho to retain the World Title.

Since winning the 2012 Royal Rumble Match and defeating Daniel Bryan in a history-making 18 seconds for the World Heavyweight Championship, Sheamus’ momentum has made him nearly unstoppable. The Great White continued to build on his legacy after overcoming the odds inside Raleigh’s PNC Arena. Will Del Rio, Orton or Jericho continue to claim their place as No. 1 contender to the World Heavyweight Champion, or will a new challenger prove bold enough to challenge The Celtic Warrior? Stay tuned to WWE Raw SuperShow on USA and Friday Night SmackDown on Syfy to find out!

WWE Over The Limit 2012 Results > WWE Divas Championship Match > Layla (c) Vs. Beth Phoenix –

RALEIGH, N.C. – Former Divas Champion Beth Phoenix came to WWE Over the Limit looking to reestablish herself as the alpha female in WWE. Instead, she suffered a stinging defeat at the hands of the current titleholder, Layla. (PHOTOS)

It has been a precipitous decline for Phoenix, who just over a month ago complained to WWE.com that there were no worthy challengers to her title before predicting she would be a dominant champion forever.

How quickly things can change.

Phoenix lost the butterfly-emblazoned belt to Nikki Bella on the April 23 edition of Raw SuperShow after suffering a severely sprained ankle. Unable to compete at Extreme Rules, The Glamazon was replaced by a shocking last-minute alternate – Layla – who returned to WWE after a yearlong absence to astonishingly win the title.

With a fully healed ankle and a desire to regain her place at the summit of WWE’s Divas division, The Glamazon battled Layla at WWE Over the Limit for the title she once held for more than six months.

However, The Fabulous Firebird’s bid for a second Divas Championship was foiled by Layla. Surviving Phoenix’s trademark aggression and powerhouse attacks, the British-born beauty was able to use her speed and agility to mount her own offense. The Glamazon focused her attacks on Layla's injured right knee, but she was unable to keep the champion down. After narrowly avoiding a Glam Slam attempt, Layla nailed Phoenix with a Lay-out neckbreaker out of nowhere to get the pin for an impressive and emotional win.

Although Phoenix performed admirably and nearly recaptured the title, it’s back to the drawing board for the former titleholder. Meanwhile, the tough and gutsy Layla has another successful title defense under her belt, and there’s no telling what’s next for the surging Divas Champion.

WWE Over The Limit 2012 Results > WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth Vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger

RALEIGH, N.C. – Kofi Kingston & R-Truth retained the WWE Tag Team Championships at WWE Over the Limit with a strong victory over an alliance that appears to be growing weaker – Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger. (PHOTOS)

With “Little Jimmy” on their side, Kingston & Truth proved there’s a simple reason why they still hold the tag titles – teamwork. Joining together to outfight and outsmart The Show Off and The All-American American, the exciting duo continued to ride a wave of momentum with the WWE Universe cheering them on.

Ziggler & Swagger came close to victory in the highly competitive bout, but they were constantly one-upped by the Tag Champs. Not long after Kingston hit a ring-shuddering Boom Drop on Ziggler, he landed a perfect Trouble in Paradise on The Show Off for the victory.

While Ziggler & Swagger couldn’t get in sync at the close of the match, a distracted Vickie Guerrero could be partially to blame for their loss. Before the bout, she offered a hello to the WWE Board of Directors and presented herself as a possible candidate for John Laurinaitis’ General Manager job in the event that he was terminated. With her mind on other matters, Guerrero’s leadership may have failed her protégés.

The Show Off and The All-American American have been on a steady decline lately, and with each loss, they seem to grow farther apart as a tag team. Tensions ran high after their WWE Over the Limit match, as the blonds staggered up the ramp with an irate Guerrero. While Ziggler & Swagger’s dissention escalated, WWE Tag Team Champions Kingston & Truth reveled in another victory.

WWE Over The Limit 2012 Results > 20-Superstar "People Power" Battle Royal Results

RALEIGH, N.C. – Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and United States Champion Santino Marella kept a close eye on The Great Khali, The Miz and David Otunga as they battled in the 20-Man Over-the-Top Rope “People Power” Battle Royal that kicked off WWE Over the Limit — and with good reason. (PHOTOS)

The winner of the melee, which was announced by Executive Administrator Eve in an effort to end a running dispute between Rhodes and Santino about the prestige of their respective championships, would be granted a Title Match later in the night to challenge for his choice of either the Intercontinental or the U.S. Championship.

If the announcement of the Battle Royal itself and the promise of an unexpected title match weren’t exciting enough, the sound of Christian’s entrance music sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe members in attendance.

Christian had not appeared in WWE since the March 16 episode of SmackDown, where he delivered a special edition of "The Peep Show." Before that, Christian was taken out by WWE Champion CM Punk on Raw SuperShow just days before Captain Charisma was to take part in the six-man tag match as a member of Team Johnny at WrestleMania XXVIII. That match against Punk ended in a no contest and Christian re-aggravated a prior neck injury thanks to an overlong Anaconda Vise by the champion.

Christian’s arrival sent the WWE Universe into a frenzy, and also left Rhodes and Santino clearly shaken as the two champions exchanged a worried glance at ringside when Captain Charisma made his entrance. When the bell rang, the ring was literally overflowing with Superstars as Drew McIntyre, Ezekiel Jackson, William Regal, The Usos and others all battled for a title opportunity.

As always with over-the-top rope matches, alliances were formed and broken in record time. Titus O'Neil and Darren Young were able to tag team The Great Khali, dumping the giant over the ropes and bringing a sigh of relief to the lips of Rhodes.

Competing in his first official match since Nov. 11, 2011, Christian demonstrated the absence of any "ring rust" as he tangled with and ultimately eliminated William Regal.

When The Miz eliminated Alex Riley, it was left to The Awesome One, Tyson Kidd, Otunga and Christian to duke it out. Kidd was impressive but was dumped over the top by Otunga as he and Miz battled on the apron.

Christian was then immediately double teamed by Miz and Otunga. Yet, despite months of inactivity, Captain Charisma fought his way out of trouble to eliminate Otunga. Miz and Christian were left to determine who would get a title chance later in the night, but it was the returning Christian who found an opening when The Awesome One spilled out onto the apron. A driving shoulder knocked Miz to ringside and catapulted Captain Charisma to victory.

As he departed the ring, Christian gestured to Santino, perhaps eyeing the Milan Miracle’s U.S. Championship for later in the night.

WWE Over The Limit 2012 Results > Pre-Show Match > Kane Vs. Zack Ryder

RALEIGH, N.C. - Zack Ryder had a perfect opportunity to find retribution for Kane’s devastating attack earlier this year after The Big Red Monster nearly ended Long Island Iced-Z’s career. However, on the WWE Over the Limit YouTube Pre-Show, Ryder failed to overcome the odds and was subsequently decimated at the hands of The Devil’s Favorite Demon.

The bout wasn’t completely one sided, though. Broskis inside Raleigh’s PNC Arena fist pumped in support of the self-proclaimed Internet Champion as he tried to build momentum against The Big Red Monster. Early on, Ryder did his best to stay aggressive, but even with the WWE Universe and the YouTube faithful in his corner, Zack Ryder had one clear disadvantage against Kane– experience.

A 15-year veteran inside a WWE ring, Kane has locked up with Legends and WWE Hall of Famers every bit as fast, agile and popular as Long Island Iced-Z. After numerous battles against everyone from Rey Mysterio to Mark Henry, Kane remains unfazed by just about every WWE Superstars he faces.

The Big Red Monster came to Raleigh, N.C. with one goal in mind – ruin Ryder’s night. From the moment the opening bell sounded, this rivalry was reignited after months of Ryder’s recovery and subsequent battles to build his confidence to the point where he was ready for Kane.

Long Island Iced-Z proved that he was back at full strength and ready for a battle. Throughout the contest, he managed to keep momentum shifts even, a daunting task for anyone challenging The Big Red Monster. However, with momentum seemingly in his corner, Ryder’s efforts were for naught as a powerful chokeslam served as a painful reminder of the torment he suffered at the hands of Kane earlier this year.

Ever since that agonizing Monday night in February when Kane sent a wheelchair-bound Ryder off the entrance stage, Long Island Iced-Z has not been the same. Much of his trouble has stemmed from Eve, whose new position with Raw and SmackDown General Manager John Laurinaitis could only make his life worse.

Although Kane claimed victory at WWE Over the Limit, Zack Ryder’s impressive effort against The Big Red Monster certainly proved that he is serious, bro.

Over The Limit 2012 » Matches » John Cena vs John Laurinaitis (If Laurinaitis loses, he will be fired.)

Before John Cena went to war with Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules, he accused Raw and SmackDown General Manager John Laurinaitis of trying to put him "out of business" by bringing Brock back to WWE.
Now, it looks like the power-hungry GM wants to personally eradicate Cena from WWE.
Still nursing the wounds from his punishing clash with Brock, the Cenation leader was asked to meet Laurinaitis in the ring on Raw SuperShow for a face-to-face talk, in which the GM would reveal who Cena's opponent at WWE Over the Limit would be. At first, it appeared that Lord Tensai was Laurinaitis' hand-picked Superstar, but following an unbelievable 3-on-1 assault, the choice became brutally clear: Laurinaitis will be the man who goes one-on-one with Cena on May 20.
On repeated occasions since WrestleMania XXVIII, Laurinaitis made it known which Superstar he believes represents the future of WWE, and it's definitely not Cena. The Raw and SmackDown General Manager proved he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep Brock happy by agreeing to the outrageous contract demands laid out by the behemoth prior to Extreme Rules.
Against all odds, Cena overcame the seemingly-unstoppable Lesnar in an Extreme Rules Match, but it still wasn't enough to convince Laurinaitis that it's the 10-time WWE Champion, not Brock, who rightfully deserves to be called the "face of WWE." Then, in a shocking confrontation on Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis made his boldest power play yet, attacking and mocking Cena while his left arm was still healing.
Cena isn't the first Superstar to tangle with arguably the most polarizing figure in WWE. It was just a few months ago when WWE Champion CM Punk had it out with Laurinaitis, even going so far as to knock him out with the Go To Sleep on the Jan. 23 edition of Raw SuperShow. However, Laurinaitis didn't let his scuffles with Punk derail his quest to remain the dominant decision-making force on WWE programming, and he later took control of SmackDown in addition to Raw with a resounding victory over Team Teddy at WrestleMania.
At WWE Over the Limit, just three weeks will have passed since Cena's savage battle against Lesnar at Extreme Rules. Will the Cenation leader be able to recover in time for his collision with the Raw and SmackDown GM? Or can Laurinaitis pull off an upset and break Cena's spirit coming off one of the biggest victories of his career? Find out at Over the Limit on Sunday, May 20, live on pay-per-view.

SRC- WWE.com

Over The Limit 2012 » Matches » Zack Ryder vs Kane (YouTube Pre-Show)

Months after Kane’s attack left him wheelchair-bound, Zack Ryder will have an opportunity to confront his tormentor when he and The Big Red Monster meet head-on during the free WWE Over the Limit Pre-Show event Sunday. The Pre-Show, which will stream live on YouTube.com/WWE, Facebook and WWE.com, begins at 7:30 ET/4:30 PT.

Announced during the May 14 edition of Raw SuperShow, the match could serve as the final battle in the long-brewing war between Long Island Iced-Z and The Devil’s Favorite Demon.

The bad feelings have been festering since January, when Ryder unwittingly became swept up in Kane’s “embrace the hate” campaign aimed at Ryder pal John Cena. Seemingly a pawn in Kane’s larger strategy to goad Cena into a fight, Ryder for weeks found himself on the receiving end of surprise attacks and hellacious intimidation tactics.

With the WWE Universe watching on in horror during the first Raw of the year, The Big Red Monster initially tried to drag Ryder beneath the ring and into hell. Although Ryder narrowly escaped the fiery trap, thanks to a hand from Cena, WWE’s resident broski remained an object of manipulation in Kane’s vengeful endgame.

Kane’s onslaught did not let up at all in the ensuing weeks. On the Jan. 9 edition of Raw, the masked Superstar chokeslammed Ryder off of a loading dock and onto wood pallets many feet below. The injuries that Ryder sustained as a result of the fall left him vulnerable the following week and arguably caused him to lose the United States Championship to Jack Swagger on Jan. 16.

From there, Ryder’s fate went from bad to worse. Competing against Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere Match on Jan. 23, Ryder – still feeling the effects of the attack one fortnight earlier – appeared wholly overmatched. Once the action spilled up the ramp and to the stage, Kane again set out to chokeslam Long Island Iced-Z. Only this time, The Devil’s Favorite Demon sent Ryder through the steel stage floor, causing a herniated disc for Ryder and landing the fun-loving broski in a wheelchair for several weeks.

Even while he was on the sidelines, however, Ryder could not escape Kane’s wrath. On the Feb. 13 episode of Raw, Kane again attacked, pushing Ryder and his wheelchair off the Raw stage altogether.

By all appearances, Ryder has recovered from the physical injuries he suffered at Kane’s hands earlier this year. However, there is no mistaking that the mental and emotional anguish caused is still fresh in his mind. When Kane and Randy Orton’s Falls Count Anywhere Match at Extreme Rules took them backstage, Ryder could not resist peppering The Big Red Monster with punches and forearm smashes.

Kane’s unprovoked affront against Ryder seemingly halted the Internet Wrestling Champion’s meteoric rise. Although the spiked-hair Superstar is undoubtedly outmatched physically by the 7-foot destroyer, does Ryder now have the ruthless mentality necessary to vanquish the monster? With several months to reflect on all he lost due to Kane, is Long Island Iced-Z more motivated than ever? Or will Kane, looking to rebound from his Extreme Rules loss to Orton, intensify his in-ring attack even further?

The WWE Universe will get its answer Sunday during the WWE Over the Limit Pre-Show, which streams live on YouTube.com/WWE, Facebook and WWE.com at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT Sunday

SRC- WWE.com

Over The Limit 2012 » Matches » Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (Tag Team Championship)

Newly minted WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth will defend their titles for the first time at WWE Over the Limit, where they will do battle with the arrogant and aggressive duo of Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Swagger & Ziggler have proven themselves as dominant singles competitors in the past, but the duo’s business advisor Vickie Guerrero is now determined to lead the former World Heavyweight Champions to the top of WWE’s growing tag team division. Since A.W. has yet to invoke the automatic rematch clause of his “All World” clients, former WWE Tag Team Champions Primo & Epico, Swagger & Ziggler have emerged as the No. 1 contenders to Kingston & Truth’s illustrious titles – and they don’t intend on leaving WWE Over the Limit without them.

“The All-American American” & “The Show-Off” will have their hands full, however, even if they would never admit it. Garnering attention for their high-energy offense and uncanny ability to connect with the WWE Universe, Kingston & Truth rode a wave of momentum when they challenged Primo & Epico in a WWE Tag Team Championship clash on the April 30 edition of Raw SuperShow. Despite a distraction on the ring apron from Rosa Mendes, Kingston nailed Epico with Trouble in Paradise for the three-count to win the championships. The exciting tandem would go on to notch an impressive victory over Hunico & Camacho later that week on SmackDown, no doubt fueling Ziggler & Swagger’s desire to snatch the titles from their grasp.

Will Swagger & Ziggler overcome the kinetic WWE Tag Team Champions, or will Truth and his imaginary pal “Little Jimmy” join Kofi for a celebratory boom clap after sending Vickie’s blond blowhards packing? To find out, tune in to WWE Over the Limit, Sunday May 20 at 8 ET/5 PT, only on pay-per-view.

SRC- WWE.com

Over The Limit 2012 » Matches » Sheamus vs Chris Jericho vs Randy Orton vs Alberto Del Rio (World Championship - Fatal 4 Way Match)

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus has said time and time again that he loves to fight. Well, at WWE Over the Limit, The Great White will get that opportunity – times three – when he battles challengers Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton in a Fatal 4-Way Match for the World Title.

Originally slated as a one-on-one title encounter against Del Rio, the pay-per-view showdown picked up two contenders on the May 7 edition of Raw SuperShow. This happened when John Laurinaitis, the General Manager of both Raw and SmackDown, announced that it would be a Fatal 4-Way Match aftter the competitors erupted in a brawl after an intense tag team battle on Raw.

Sheamus has been on an absolute tear since capturing the World Heavyweight Title from Daniel Bryan in a history-making 18 seconds at WrestleMania, including hard-fought victories over the former champion in a 2-out-of-3 Falls rematch at Extreme Rules and a tremendous win over The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry on SmackDown. More than ever before, the Irish Superstar has been running on all cylinders, demonstrating the heart of a true World Champion.

Despite his recent success, however, the odds of The Great White walking out of Over the Limit with the coveted title around his waist are strongly against him. In a Fatal 4-Way Match, any of the four competitors can win the title by scoring a pinfall or submission on any of the other three. In short, Sheamus doesn’t technically have to be beaten to lose his championship.

In addition to the numbers game, the elite Superstars that The Great White will face are both successful and dangerous even on their worst days – with talents particularly well-suited to this type of match.

Chris Jericho is a four-time World Champion and one of the most highly decorated Superstars in the history of WWE. Translation: the first-ever Undisputed WWE Champion has always, and will always, know how to win. He’s skilled, adaptable and completely merciless in any and all conditions. Therefore, his fourth World Title could be but a Codebreaker away.

Randy Orton is a nine-time World Champion, capable of waging war on any battlefield. Besides being an unpredictable and cunning grappler, The Viper’s ability to strike quickly in a number of ways gives him a decisive advantage in this type of contest. The crown jewel of his arsenal in particular – the RKO – is the perfect device to emerge triumphant in the fast-paced chaos of a Fatal 4-Way.

Del Rio is a two-time World Champion, who’s as confident as he is ruthless. Rising out of the luchador tradition of Mexico, the aristocrat Superstar is no stranger to the tornado-like atmosphere he will encounter at Over the Limit. In fact, he’s already reached the pinnacle of squared circle greatness in a similar environment, having won his second title in a Triple Threat Hell in a Cell WWE Championship Match in 2011.

At WWE Over the Limit, find out who will emerge from the mayhem of the Fatal 4-Way with the World Heavyweight Championship in his grasp, Sunday May 20 at 8 / 5 PT, only on pay-per-view.

SRC- WWE.com

Over The Limit 2012 » Matches » Layla vs Beth Phoenix (Divas Championship)

When Beth Phoenix lost the WWE Divas Championship to Nikki Bella on the April 23 edition of Raw SuperShow, The Glamazon severely sprained her left ankle.

But that wasn’t enough to keep Phoenix down. Less than a week later, she was set to face Nikki for the butterfly-emblazoned title at Extreme Rules … or so she thought. Before her match at Extreme Rules, Phoenix learned she was not medically cleared to compete.

With The Glamazon out of the picture, Layla stunned the WWE Universe by returning from injury to capture the WWE Divas Championship from Nikki at Extreme Rules.

Layla’s shocking return was the culmination of a long road to recovery after suffering an injury in 2011. Immediately after her victory, an exuberant and glowing champion did not mince words about her plans. “I'm going to dominate,” she said in a WWE.com Exclusive Video.

But Layla’s return is not sitting well with The Glamazon.

"I’m going to bust her other knee, and make sure that she goes away and never comes back," Phoenix said in a recent emotional interview with WWE.com. "She has no idea what she has gotten herself into.”

With tensions continuing to mount between the two, their clash was officially announced on May 7 on WWE.com.

At WWE Over the Limit, will The Glamazon find a way to reclaim the title she held for just over six months? Or, will Layla fight to keep what she has earned just as hard as she fought to rehab from from her injury? Tune in Sunday, May 20, live on pay-per-view at 8 ET / 5 PT.

SRC- WWE.com