Gimmick Pay-Per-Views (Part 2)

This is the second post (in a series of 3) that will look at the WWE pay-per-view calender and what each contributes to the year.

The events focused on here will be: Over the Limit, No Way Out, Money in the Bank, Summerslam and Night of Champions. There will also be a brief look at King of the Ring, which was also a gimmicky pay-per-view that ended ten years ago.

Over the Limit - May
Previously, this event was known as Judgement Day and not much has really changed. Like it's previous incarnation, Over the Limit has been a show that has a card full of regular singles matches (and where needed; title matches).

The key difference [between Over the Limit and Judgement Day] has been the main events on these shows in the last three years. In both 2010 and 2011, there were 'I Quit' matches to determine the winners. In 2012, the theme slightly changed and had a match whereby John Laurinaitis (GM) would be fired if he were to lose. In all three years there has been a quitting/firing element to it. This could easily be gotten rid of in favour of the a regular card with normal matches populating it.

No Way Out - June
No Way Out was, until 2009, traditionally a February based pay-per-view - it was then renamed Elimination Chamber as this match type was the main feature of that event.

Looking through the history of this event, the common theme has either been Steel Cage matches or number one contender matches leading into Wrestlemania. The 2012 edition continued this theme as there was a Steel Cage match with jobs on the line. This event was better suited to the February slot that it previously occupied. Leading into Wrestlemania, it was exciting to have a number one contenders match half way between the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania. This event will likely have a change of name for next year.

King of the Ring - June - 1993-2002
The month of June seems to have had the most messing with when it comes to WWE pay-per-views. Since the last edition of the King of the Ring in 2002, June has presented us with Bad Blood, The Great American Bash and Vengeance just to name a few.

Originally, the King of the Ring started in the 1980s and had such winners as Harley Race, Ted DiBiase and Tito Santana. It became the fifth major event of the year when it was promoted to pay-per-view status in 1993, and was won by the legendary Bret 'Hitman' Hart.

By winning this tournament, it was seen as a signal of intent that you would then receive a push into the main event level. A few have failed in this position (Mabel, Billy Gunn) but the last [in pay-per-view form], and most notable winner certainly took his chance and ran with it - Brock Lesnar.

To sum up, this event was a welcome addition to the pay-per-view calender in 1993 - it was a half way point between Wrestlemania and Summerslam and brought something different to the year. It was unique as it was a tournament based event and it's winner would all but be guaranteed main event status.

Money in the Bank - July
The Money in the Bank pay-per-view is similar to Elimination Chamber, Hell in a Cell and TLC in that it was an individual match type that has been given its own event in the year.

The first Money in the Bank match took place at Wrestlemania 21 in 2005 and was won by Edge. This elevated an already rising star, and added a very exciting element of surprise to proceedings as the contract could (and can be) 'cashed in' at anytime in the year that follows the win. All but two people - John Cena and Mr Kennedy - have won and not become champion as a result. This is definitely a match where you are thrust into the World/WWE title picture; either straight away or within that year that the briefcase/contract is held.

Since moving to the July pay-per-view slot, there have been two Money in the Bank winners each year - one having an opportunity at the Raw/WWE Champion and one gaining the chance to challenge for the World Title on Smackdown.

Although this way of doing things creates a chance for two new stars, I feel that it has, and will weaken the prestige/surprise involved in winning this match. If they were to have one MITB match and the winner could go for whichever champion, then this would make things a little more unpredictable. I think this will be the case as of next year as a result of the Supershows - everyone is on both shows anyway now.

Summerslam - August
Much like Wrestlemania, Summerslam is the second biggest show of the year. Five months or so after 'Mania; this show deals with the biggest matches of the summer. In some cases, feuds that go the distance from Wrestlemania could continue/end at this grand stage of the summer period.

This event is one of the original 'big four' and should continue to be a mainstay. As it is the second main show of the year, it is therefore a second chance to make a name for yourself and get to the next level with a show stealing performance.

Night of Champions - September
Night of Champions, in its current format debuted in 2007. It started as a June event, July in 2009 and has now been a September mainstay since 2010. Previously, this event was know as Vengeance and Vengeance: Night of Champions before dropping the prefix.

After this change, this events theme became exactly as it seems - a night where all championships are defended. The more I think about this event, the more I really like it - it has several title matches and these are regular matches with [usually] no stipulations. The emphasis is mainly on the things that should have meaning - the championships.

Coming soon: Part 3 - the final instalment looking at the Gimmick Pay-Per-Views within WWE and what they contribute... follow me on Twitter @jimmosangle to keep up with my latest posts/articles