The WWE Board of Directors has denied a last-minute appeal by the increasingly nervous General Manager John Laurinaitis to lift the stipulation that any Superstar who interferes in his match against John Cena at WWE Over the Limit will be terminated. ( PHOTOS FROM BACKSTAGE)

The stipulation is one of several provisions surrounding Laurinaitis’ hotly anticipated duel against Cena tonight. If Laurinaitis loses the bout, he will be terminated. The set of stipulations has fueled speculation in the WWE locker room that Laurinaitis’ time at the helm of Raw and SmackDown may be coming to a close. As to whom his successor could be, rumors are rampant.

"Raw and SmackDown have flourished under Johnny. He brings a level of excitement to WWE that's without compare," Vickie Guerrero, a former General Manager, told WWE.com. "Rumors are swirling that the Board might reach out to me should he lose tonight. My God, I could never replace Johnny, but if it would please the Board, of course I would help out in any way necessary."

The ramifications of a Laurinaitis loss could be far-reaching, especially for those inside his regime, such as Executive Administrator Eve and legal counsel David Otunga. Should Laurinaitis fall, would either be expecting a promotion into the role of General Manager? Or is it more likely that Eve and Otunga would have a place next to him in the unemployment line? ( FULL STORY)

What would a Cena victory portend for former SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long? Since losing his SmackDown GM post to Laurinaitis at WrestleMania XXVIII, Long has endured countless embarrassments because of “Mr. Excitement.” As news of the Board’s denial of Laurinaitis’ request spread, a smiling Long was spotted backstage at the PNC Arena. Is a changing of the guard imminent?

The anxious GM continues to walk the halls of the locker room behind the scenes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh. It will be high stakes tonight, when Laurinaitis steps into the squared circle against a very motivated Cenation leader. The WWE Universe will see where the chips fall at WWE Over the Limit, live on pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.