Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and General Manager of Raw and SmackDown John Laurinaitis steps in the ring this Monday, taking on John Cena at Over the Limit.

CM Punk puts the WWE Championship on the line against fellow ROH alumni Daniel Bryan.

And Sheamus defends the World Heavyweight Championship in a fatal four way, with Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho, and Randy Orton all trying to dethrone the Great White.

Who will walk out of Monday's pay-per-view victorious, and who will suffer crushing defeats?

Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down the card for Over the Limit.

John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis
No disqualification, no count-out; if anyone intereferes, they will be fired; if John Laurinaitis loses, he will be fired

Blake
John Cena said it so well; Laurinaitis is a loser! Looooooooooooseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer! However, Big Johnny didn't become one of Mr. McMahon's yes-men by being nice. Laurinaitis is a businessman, a savvy businessman, and he'll have an ace up his sleeve. I hate to say it, but...
Winner: John Laurinaitis

Kirsty:
Clearly there's no way that Laurainitis can beat Cena in a straight-up match. Equally obvious is the fact that there's no way he WILL lose, because he's not going to risk losing all those titles: "the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and the Raw and SmackDown General Manager" - so he's planning some kind of dirty trick. Makes me wonder if someone is going to sacrifice themself for him. If David Otunga is terminated it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
Winner: John Laurainitis

Dion:
The odds look like they're stacked against Laurinaitis, and we all know that "Big Johnny" can't match Cena in the ring. But I think the GM will find a way around the shackles placed on him by the Board of Directors.
Winner: John Laurinaitis

Luke:
Well, let's face it. There is "No Chance in Hell" that Laurinaitis can defeat John Cena. I know the stipulation states that if any "WWE Superstar" interferes, he will be fired. However, I think there are a few unemployed stars waiting in the wings, allowing the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and the General Manager of both Raw and SmackDown walk out with the win.
Winner: John Laurinaitis

Stevie:
Well, it's not going to be pretty. But I imagine there's a few unemployed wrestlers who will save Big Johnny from dying.
Winner: John Laurinaitis

Scott:
The signs are obvious, aren't they? Big Show can't be fired as he's currently without a job, he's desperate to get his job back, and his blubbering performance on RAW shows he'll do anything to appease John Laurinaitis. Show to interfere to cost Cena the win.
Winner: John Laurinaitis

David:
Brock Lesnar can't be fired if he's already quit, can he? Even if he could, what's to stop John Laurinaitis from just hiring him, or anyone else willing to be unemployed for a night, back on Raw?
Winner: John Laurinaitis


WWE Championship:
CM Punk (c) vs. Daniel Bryan

Blake:
Would not have seen this one year ago. Suddenly, it's the battle of the internet darlings! These are the best wrestlers in the biz today, but I'm not the greatest mind in pro wrestling for nothing. Punk's had a long reign, but Bryan's had a long journey to this point.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Kirsty:
Outstanding. I can't wait for this match. Two of the best all-rounders in WWE right now. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Daniel Bryan - I think he's going to shock everyone (and Punk most of all) but then look out - the lead-up to SummerSlam will not be a happy time for him.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Dion:
This one is going to be a classic, and I can't wait. Punk to retain.
Winner: CM Punk

Luke:
Match of the year candidate! I am amped for this one. You thought Jericho and Punk was a battle for who the "Best in the World" is? Let the war between D-Bry and Punk begin! D-Bry looks strong after his championship rematch at Extreme Rules, pushing Sheamus to the limits. Though, I think Punk will get the better of him this time.
Winner: CM Punk

Stevie:
This will be pretty! A tremendous match, to be sure. My bet is on our Straight Edge Savior to retain.
Winner: CM Punk

Scott:
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! But, no, Punk's going to win.
Winner: CM Punk

David:
CM Punk's had a pretty remarkable WWE Championship reign. I seem to remember him getting the better of Bryan in their couple of matches earlier this year, and with the champion's advantage in this match, the deck is stacked even more in his favour. Not that he needs luck though - luck is for losers.
Winner: CM Punk


World Heavyweight Championship:
Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

Blake:
Who to choose... I'll cut out Del Rio. His finisher is too time consuming. Somebody will come in before his opponent taps. I'll cut out Jericho. I just don't think he'll do it. So that leaves Sheamus and Orton. Well, the Irish are known for exterminating snakes; I say the Viper gets decimated.
Winner: Sheamus

Kirsty:
I have to say I'm not fussed on this being a four way. Sheamus vs. Del Rio and Jericho vs. Orton would have made for two stellar matches. But it may bode well for the Great White - I think he'll take his title home.
Winner: Sheamus

Dion:
You really could roll the dice with this one to pick a winner. All four men are capable, and worthy, of taking the World Heavyweight Championship. But I think this will be the night for Y2J.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Luke:
This is a hard one to pick. Sheamus is enjoying a nice run at the moment, with a credible fought victory over D-Bry at Extreme Rules. I think The Great White will retain the gold this time and continue to solidify his place in the main event.
Winner: Sheamus

Stevie:
Ireland certainly has had an interesting history with snakes. But I think a few kicks will ensure Sheamus continues his ways.
Winner: Sheamus

Scott:
Both Jericho and Del Rio haven't looked all that impressive since their respective returns, but either is capable of slinking in to secure a victory if Sheamus and Orton focus too much on each other. But I think The Viper's been biding his time a bit lately, and he's about to strike.
Winner: Randy Orton

David:
Everyone's got a shot here, but when in doubt you've got to back the champ, don't you? So that's what I'll do.
Winner: Sheamus


WWE Tag Team Championship:
Kofi Kingston & R-Truth (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger

Blake:
Kingston and Truth are awesome together. Ziggler and Swagger aren't. It's that simple really. I'm more looking forward to seeing what AW can do with Primo and Epico.
Winners: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth

Kirsty:
Kingston and Truth seem to gel, but Ziggler and Swagger work reasonably well too. Nevertheless, the champs to retain.
Winners: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth

Dion:
I've enjoyed the interaction between these two teams - both are very good at what they do. But I think we'll see the Champs retain.
Winners: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth

Luke:
It is sad to see Ziggler in a tag match rather than competing in the main card. Though, I think Ziggler and Swaggers team will finally get the momentum they need to push themselves in the spotlight after they take the championships.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger

Stevie:
They're a more experienced team but I don't think ZigZag-Swag gel together well enough to take the titles from the new champs.
Winners: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth

Scott:
They're better looking, they're better wrestlers, and I just like them more. Zigswag for the win!
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger

David:
Kingston and R-Truth haven't had the titles for nearly long enough yet. They're going to be super hungry to retain here.
Winners: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth


Divas Championship:
Layla (c) vs. Beth Phoenix

Blake:
Layla and Phoenix are both coming off injuries. The difference is that Layla has worked so much harder to get back. Granted, Phoenix had to work hard to hold the title, but Layla's got the fire of a, ironically, reborn phoenix.
Winner: Layla

Kirsty:
I really DON'T care. Unless Kharma shows up. Which she might.
Winner: Layla

Dion:
I was really impressed by Layla's return at Extreme Rules - she looked better than ever! Two years ago, I would've had Phoenix as the clear favourite, but I think Layla may just pull this off.
Winner: Layla

Luke:
Nobody could stop Beth and her dominating title reign over the last year until she was blindsided by the Bellas. I think Beth is out to prove she should still be the Diva's champion and Layla is just holding her belt until she gets it back.
Winner: Beth Phoenix

Stevie:
I would say Beth but she hasn't been on the greatest of rolls recently and that foot is probably not 100%.
Winner: Layla

Scott:
Would've been nice for this match to have more of a build, eh? I like both Layla and Phoenix, but I'm unable to determine who is better in the ring so far. My head goes Layla, my heart goes Phoenix. And this coin I just tossed say...
Winner: Layla

David:
Layla's my girl, man! Long may her reign continue! It's just a shame for Beth Phoenix that she has to be the first to fall to the Divas Champion.
Winner: Layla


Kane vs. Zack Ryder

Blake:
Umm, gee whiz, this is a tough one.
Winner: Kane

Kirsty:
Nice knowing ya, broski.
Winner: Kane

Dion:
Are you serious, bro? Not even the Ruff Ryder can take down the Big Red Machine.
Winner: Kane

Luke:
Finally Ryder has a chance at redemption after the last few months of being assaulted at the hands of Kane. Though, it will take all his heart and soul to defeat the Big Red Monster.
Winner: Zack Ryder

Stevie:
Ouch.
Winner: Kane

Scott:
Hey, who said WWE doesn't give closure to their storylines? What, you don't remember that Kane and Ryder have been in an on-again, off-again storyline for almost six months now? Sorry, you don't even remember who Zack Ryder is? Ummmm.
Winner: Kane

David:
Oh, radio! Oh, oh no, radio.
Winner: Kane


Staff Picks Summary:

John Cena: 0
John Laurinaitis: 7

CM Punk: 5
Daniel Bryan: 2

Alberto Del Rio: 0
Chris Jericho: 1
Randy Orton: 1
Sheamus: 5

Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger: 2
Kofi Kingston & R-Truth: 5

Beth Phoenix: 1
Layla: 6

Kane: 6
Zack Ryder: 1


Accurate Predictions (2012):

Blake: 29 of 47 = 62% (WWE: 55%)
David: 30 of 47 = 64% (WWE: 64%)
Dion: 28 of 43 = 65% (WWE: 56%)
Kirsty: 29 of 47 = 62% (WWE: 64%)
Luke: 19 of 28 = 68% (WWE: 69%)
Scott: 22 of 47 = 47% WWE: 55%)
Stevie: 23 of 30 = 77% (WWE: 83%)


WWE Over the Limit
SKY ARENA (channel 38)
Monday, May 21
12pm (replay 8.30pm)
Free-For-All preview shows air 11.30am (replay 8pm)
Additional replays air Tuesday, May 15 (6am and 6pm)