5 Worst Wrestling Matches Of 2012

1. John Cena vs. Jon Laurinaitis - WWE Over The Limit 2012

In 1996, Johnny ‘Ace’ Laurinaitis wrestled in a match voted the Wrestling Observer’s (Best) Match of the Year. Sixteen years later, that same man became one of a tiny handful to also have the Worst Match of the Year for 2012. This was because his match with John Cena was, to put it lightly, a waste of time.

I mean that literally. This match went way too long, and felt more like an attempt to waste time than tell a story.

‘Big Johnny’ was brutalized by Cena so easily that Cena resorted to comedy bits. From putting himself and Laurinaitis on commentary for a second, to getting the fans to count as he locked Laurinaitis in the STF, it was supposed to be funny but wasn’t. Laurinaitis’ only offensive moves consisted of a few arm-based attacks, before he ran away.

Now, these things alone could’ve been forgiven were it not for how the ‘match’ ended. As Johnny ran away, he was dragged back by the Big Show, whom Laurinaitis had fired only a week or so prior. Yet as Show brought Johnny back into the ring, he attacked Cena instead, which was enough for Laurinaitis to beat Cena and keep his job.

The story was weak, the heel turn inexplicably stupid, the action virtually non-existent, and the humor mediocre at best. Yet this was promoted as a high-profile match on one of WWE’s PPVs. It was, without a doubt, a waste of both time and money.