WWE over the Limit 2012: 5 Reasons Why Layla Will Bash Beth Phoenix
Posted: May 15th 2012 By: mikeiles
As announced on last week's episode of Raw, WWE Divas Champion Layla El will take on Beth Phoenix at the Over the Limit pay-per-view on May 20 in her first major title defense since winning the belt at Extreme Rules.
Phoenix will be returning from her ankle injury and hoping to regain the championship gold she lost to Nikki Bella on Raw several weeks ago. Layla, meanwhile, is hoping to retain her title and cement her position as the top women's wrestler in the company.
While Phoenix will undoubtedly put up a good fight, here are a few reasons we think Layla will be emerging from the pay-per-view victorious.
Beth Phoenix's Last Title Reign Was a Flop
There seems little point in switching the Divas Championship back to Phoenix when her last lengthy title reign was such a dismal flop.
Indeed, after winning the title from frequent foe Kelly Kelly at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view last year, Phoenix went on to have one of the most underwhelming, lukewarm title reigns in WWE history.
She participated in no notable matches or storylines and barely made television, instead finding herself banished to C-Show Superstars. So low was her profile that many fans could be forgiven for forgetting she was even champion!
With this in mind, it would seem foolish to award the former Shimmer star the title again. Clearly, WWE don't know how to book her as champion.
It Would Make Layla Look Incompetent
At Extreme Rules, Layla returned to the company unannounced following a near one-year absence after undergoing serious surgery on her knee, and won the Divas Championship from Nikki Bella.
It was a shocking, highly memorable return that managed to get the former Diva Search winner's return off to a tremendous start, establishing her as the division's top female babyface.
However, if the booking team decided to switch the title back to Phoenix in Layla's first PPV defense, it would surely undo all the good work they've done with her so far. Indeed, such a move would only serve to make her look laughably weak and incompetent, greatly hindering her attempts to get over with the fans.
Layla Should Take on Eve Next
Let's be honest: Beth Phoenix isn't the number one female heel in the company, Eve Torres is.
Over the past few months, basically ever since she turned on Zack Ryder, the former NBA dancer has managed to get over hugely with the masses with her snooty, conceited, bad girl act. The WWE Universe love to hate this woman.
With this in mind, it is Eve who Layla should take on for the title after she defeats Phoenix at Over the Limit.
Layla Is Everything WWE Could Want in a Champion
With her good looks, sparkling charisma and impressive promo skills, Layla El encompasses everything the WWE could possibly want in a female wrestler.
As the most marketable WWE diva to come along in quite some time, look for Layla's strong push to continue when she defeats Beth Phoenix spotlessly clean at the PPV.
Beth Phoenix Needs to Stay out of the Title Picture for a While
After hogging the title for several months, it is probably time for Beth Phoenix to step out of the championship picture for a while. WWE's booking team should allow Layla to keep the title and come up with a fresh new role for "The Glamazon," possibly as a bodyguard or valet for a male wrestler.
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Update on Walker Stewart’s NJPW, AEW, Stardom status
After re-upping with NJPW, English-language commentator Walker Stewart has provided some further clarification on hi... Read More
Well That Didn’t Work: The Warrior Joins WCW
In 1998, the WWF were beginning to pull away from the WCW after fans had begun to grow weary of the product with the nWo hav... Read More
AJ Styles on retirement, matches with Cena and Gunther, his son, and more
AJ Styles sat down with Chris Van Vliet in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss his retirement match w... Read More
- Ethan Page talks NXT, move to main roster, working with Chelsea Green, The Rock, and more
- WWE SmackDown Comes to OKC: Royce Keys talks Royal Rumble debut
- Jeff Jarrett talks relationship with Dixie Carter, Dark Side of the Ring, TNA, and more
- Carlito talks departing WWE, time in Judgment Day, Bron Breakker spear, and more
Spotlight in History
- 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
- 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
- 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
- 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
- 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
- 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
- 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
- 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19
- 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
- 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
- 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
- 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
- 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
- 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
- 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
- 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
- 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-13 2026 Tuff Love (Cade Lovee & Cole Lung) def. GBA (Drake Gallows & Colton Kinnamon) for the RDW Tag Team Titles
- 09-13 2026 Nate Bourne def. Ricky Wingrave for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 09-13 2026 Malik Mayfield def. Will Chambers for the UWO Heavyweight Title
- 09-13 2026 Lunchador def. Max Leon for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-13 2026 Max Leon def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
- 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
- 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
- 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
- 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
- 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
- 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
- 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
- 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
- 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
- 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
- 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
- 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
- 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
- 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
- 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
- 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-17 2026 T. J. Spade became the ASP WTF Champion
- 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
- 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
- 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
- 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
- 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
- 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
- 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
- 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
- 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
- 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
- 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
- Adam Asher Sep 19th Today!
- Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th Today!
- Jerry Brisco Sep 19th Today!
- Justin Lee Sep 20th
- Joey Stixx Sep 20th
- Pepper Martin Sep 20th
- Boz Sep 20th
- Ethan Page Sep 20th
- Greg Valentine Sep 20th
- Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
- Bishop Simon Sep 20th
- Chuck Singer Sep 20th
- Ricky Morton Sep 21st
- Connor Jones Sep 21st
- Jack Brisco Sep 21st
- Harley D Sep 22nd
- Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
- Doug Somers Sep 22nd
- Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
- Satine Sep 22nd
- Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
- Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
- O'Malley Sep 23rd
- Jason Bruce Sep 24th
- Kai Fayden Sep 24th
- Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
- Connor Crunk Sep 24th
- John J. Bishop Sep 24th
- Len Rossi Sep 24th
- Joe Jones Sep 24th
- Chief Mike Sep 25th
- Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
- Toots Estes Sep 25th
- Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
- Chris Matthews Sep 26th
- Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
- Ka$haNova Sep 26th
- BB Sep 26th
- Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
- Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
- Lone Eagle Sep 26th
- Ben Miller Sep 27th
- Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
- Angel Camacho Sep 27th
- Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
- Trey Count Sep 28th
- Kamille Sep 28th
- Tommy Prince Sep 28th
- Rip Tyler Sep 28th
- Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
- Scott Lee Sep 28th
- David Sammartino Sep 29th
- Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
- Ann Casey Sep 29th
- Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
- Lady Starwind Sep 30th
- Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
- Raymon Downey Sep 30th
- Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
- Seth Coburn Sep 30th
- Fred Urban Sep 30th
- Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- Funnybone Oct 2nd
- Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
- Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- James Southard Oct 2nd
- Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
Oklafan Quiz
Dexter Hardaway held at least one title in OPW, OCW, TPW, SRPW, and NWA-OK.