No Escape: Quick Preview of WWE No Way Out 2012

It seems like there is a new WWE PPV in June each and every year as the WWE tests the water for another PPV in the first month of summer with the return of No Way Out.  Back in 2009, WWE got rid of the classic PPVs including No Way Out, Blacklash and Vengeance for generic gimmick PPVs such as Fatal 4 Way, Hell in a Cell and Elimination Chamber.  Only a few of these gimmick PPVs were actually successful to keep around each year.  Quite a few were scrapped on a yearly basis.  Now here we are a few years after WWE made the stupid decision of getting rid of the No Way Out name for the ever generic and incredibly boring new title Elimination Chamber, No Way Out is back and a shell of its former self.

You have to feel a little sorry for WWE considering all the suspensions and injuries that have fallen upon them this last month.  Right after Over the Limit, No Way Out looked to have some great potential with some great feuds like Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton, Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio and CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan that would definitely be highlighted on the card.  Now we are left with a card that is completely underwhelming.  Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler should be good as the WWE needs to use this match as the point to launch Dolph Ziggler into the main event finally and the Triple Threat Match for the WWE Title should be interesting match which should extend the Punk vs. Bryan feud into the coming months.  Big Show vs. John Cena looks to be interesting as the WWE has done everything to make people want to watch by adding stipulations on top of stipulations.  Personally I am hoping the WWE has some sense not to put Cena over as it would make the last month they spent building the Big Show to be a monster a complete waste.  The rest of the card is okay.  Other than the Tuxedo Match between Santino and Ricardo, a match that should not even be on the card.

Christian (c) vs. Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental Championship

Prediction:  Christian retains

Layla (c) vs. Beth Phoenix for the Diva’s Championship

Prediction:  Layla retains

Sheamus (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler for the World Heavyweight Championship

Prediction:  Sheamus retains

Santino Marella vs. Ricardo Rodriguez in a Tuxedo Match

Prediction:  Santino Marella wins

CM Punk (c) vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship

Prediction:  Daniel Bryan wins the WWE Championship

John Cena vs. Big Show in a Steel Cage Match; If Show loses, John Laurinaitis is fired and if Cena loses, he is fired

Prediction:  Big Show wins thus John Cena is fired

In short, WWE No Way Out 2012 looks to be a definition of a throwaway PPV.  None of the matches jump out and excite you, this card could perfectly fill a three hour Raw and WWE has done nothing to truly build the PPV to be anything special or even different than the other dozen PPVs they put on in the year.  Unless you really want to see one of the big championship matches or the Steel Cage main event, it is easier to just save your money for Money in the Bank or Summerslam than watch this Sunday’s No Way Out PPV.