photo courtesy: wwe.com
Their Over the Limit encounter for the WWE Championship provided a lot of kicks, submission holds and injected some life into a crowd that could have previously been accused of falling asleep.
Bryan and Punk delivered in the ring in a match that lasted almost 25 minutes. In the end, CM Punk came through with a pinfall victory over Bryan in what seemed to be considered controversial fashion.
The ending was very unique to say the least.
Punk was locked in Bryan's Yes Lock, but got enough leverage to move Bryan's shoulders onto the mat. This led to Punk moving into a defensive pin situation.
Still locked into the submission hold, Punk shifted his weight for the pinfall attempt. As the referee counted to three, Punk was close to submitting to the hold. After the three count was completed, Punk began to tapout.
Bryan celebrated because he believed that he had the submission victory to win his first WWE Championship. Instead, the referee acknowledged the pinfall, which was completed prior to the submission tapout beginning.
Upon video review, it is the correct call by the referee. There isn't any real controversy involved, but a rematch between these two will be in the cards.
This type of finish has been seen previously. A pinfall and a submission both occurring at the exact same time is not exactly innovative, but is a rarity.
It also isn't too often that such a call not being too controversial is so blatantly obvious. Not only was it noticeable on the replay, but was also pretty clear upon it happening in real time.
The end of the Punk and Bryan match reminds me of a close play at first base in a baseball game. It made for a nice end to the play, the referee did his job properly, but there is still arguing that the call was ultimately wrong.
This still won't prevent Bryan from having another chance at the WWE Championship.
John Laurinaitis is still in charge of Raw and SmackDown, meaning that a match booked by the boss won't be in the favor of his rival and WWE Champion, CM Punk.
No Way Out is just a few weeks away and you can venture a decent guess that Punk and Bryan will collide there in the IZOD Center.
A steel cage match might be a little bit early, considering that steel cage matches are usually to conclude a feud. There is still an idea that, in the spirit of having No Way Out, a lumberjack match can be had.
Personally, a submission match may be a preferred avenue for this feud to go. Imagine having Punk in the Yes Lock or Bryan inside the Anaconda Vice without a rope break.
It would almost be as if they would have No Way Out of a submission hold...
source: bleacherreport.com
