Sunday, October 3rd, 2010. Just two weeks after Night Of Champions, WWE produces yet another pay per view. As of the end of Smackdown on October 1st, there were only 5 matches announced for the card. No Unified World Tag Team Championship match. No Intercontinental Title match.
How did WWE do with the pay per view? Were there additional matches? Did WWE rely on the 5 announced matches to sell the show, giving them extra time? Did The Miz cash in his Money In The Bank?
Let’s take a look at what happened when WWE presented their Hell In A Cell pay per view.
United States Championship – Submissions Count Anywhere Match
The Miz vs John Morrison vs “American Dragon” Daniel Bryan (Danielson) (c)
Nice way for WWE to open the show, as this match was bound to be fast paced with lots of back and forth. As was to be expected, John Morrison used some of his “parkour” skills and basically becomes WWE’s replacement for Jeff Hardy, risking his body with death-defying high risk moves and a huge leap off of a tall decorative structure. Is anyone surprised that John Morrison isn’t the victor in this match? I’m certainly not. I am also not surprised that John Morrison looks to be starting a feud with Alex Riley after this pay per view. Alex Riley is a talented guy and WWE should definitely see what he has to offer. A feud against John Morrison is a good sign, especially as there’s no championship involved.
What does surprise me here is the fact that John Morrison isn’t involved in the finish. With Morrison getting involved with Alex Riley next, they could’ve easily gone with Alex Riley doing something which directly results in Morrison getting put into a submission hold – whether or not The Miz was the one getting the submission victory.
The actual result of the match saw John Morrison chase Alex Riley backstage and then “American Dragon” got The Miz to tap out to the LaBelle Lock. Is anyone else glad that the feud between The Miz and Bryan seems to be over now? I thought it was a well-played storyline, but it had to end sooner or later, and there’s no reason to have another rematch between the two of them. I hope they keep the tensions going between these two and don’t let the history between these two slide, as they have some good chemistry with one another, both in the ring and on the mic.
The article will be updated throughout the night with more results, analysis and questions.
RAW World Championship Hell In A Cell
Sheamus vs Randy Orton (c)
Is anyone else surprised that this match is second? I didn’t expect it to be the final match of the evening, with The Undertaker vs Kane actually being very high profile, but second? I’m definitely expecting there to be more than 5 matches on the card, but I really thought this one would be third or fourth of the evening.
To me there weren’t any surprises with the finish to this match. I’d be surprised if anyone expected a finish involving anything other than an RKO from Orton. The use of the steel steps was a nice touch. I always enjoy it more when a reasonable weapon is employed. There’s no need for trash cans or kendo sticks in this one.
Was anyone else thinking there would be an appearance by Triple H involved in the end of this match? Regardless of whether or not he caused the end to the match, or just got involved against Sheamus after Randy Orton had retained, I figured this would be a good time for The Game to come back. Sheamus is certainly his return feud. Maybe they’ll wait for RAW, or even wait until after Bragging Rights. If Triple H doesn’t come back in the next month, I’m not sure what Sheamus would be involved in for Survivor Series in November. It’ll be easy for him to be involved in something for Bragging Rights which doesn’t specifically involve him directly feuding with someone, but if he’s going to be on the card for Survivor Series, he’d better hope that WWE kicks up the 4-on-4 concept a little bit and doesn’t just go with one of those matches on the card.
Is it bad that I’m already assuming that WWE won’t feature many 4-on-4 matches for Survivor Series?
Announcement
Apparently Nexus is not allowed to get involved in the Cena vs Barrett match, which is a good thing. Am I the only one who just sort of assumed this would be a stipulation?
Segment
Alberto Del Rio gets some pay per view time to increase his stature, and again Edge gets involved in something that I didn’t expect him to (and would’ve advised against, assuming the WWE wanted to use him as a heel). Not only do Edge and Alberto Del Rio interact, but Jack Swagger shows up too and Edge gets a double-dose of Smackdown beatdown. Does anyone else think that this segment points to the idea that Edge is probably turning face and he might be aligned with Christian (given that Alberto Del Rio is credited with putting Christian on the sidelines)? I’m in favor of that, assuming WWE’s going to actually turn Edge face. If he’s staying heel, his recent actions are frustrating, despite the fact that I realize they’re using it to try to build towards Bragging Rights.
Impromptu Match – Edge vs Jack Swagger
I figured there would be another match added to the card, and I’m glad it wasn’t Alberto Del Rio. I like the fact that he avoids actually having to fight, as it makes people hate him even more due to frustration over not getting to see him get punched in the mouth.
I also like the pairing of Edge and Jack Swagger because it gives Jack Swagger a very dynamic, very credible opponent for him to work against. Will this match endear Edge a bit more to the RAW GM, as Edge gets a chance to get some revenge against one of the guys who double-teamed him, or is Edge going to get even madder at the GM because he put Edge into the match at an inopportune time for the Rated-R Superstar?
Regardless of how Edge is going to act on RAW given this match being booked, Edge gets the win with a Spear, and I like this match even more because Jack Swagger can get retaliation later and the two can interact even more leading up to Bragging Rights. That is, assuming that Edge gets to be the face.
Does anyone else notice that RAW continues to dominate Smackdown? It’s especially evident given the outcome of the matches for the Smackdown debut on SyFy.
Fate of Nexus Match
John Cena vs Wade Barrett
After months of feuding, involving several great moments on RAW and more than a couple pay per view matches, we reach a turning point in the feud between John Cena and Nexus, and the vibe I’m getting from people is that this feud might be a disappointment if John Cena wins this match. Not too many people I’ve talked to actually expect Wade Barrett to win this match, a concept which seems especially less likely given that Nexus can’t get involved in the match.
The finish of this match saw outside involvement, though not from one of the 5 current members of Nexus (Skip Sheffield being the 5th – though out with an injury at current, making 6 total members). Wade Barrett not only escapes the pinfall after being hit by an Attitude Adjustment, but he got out of the STFU (with the outside involvement) and then Wade Barrett gets the pin on John Cena.
I’m shocked by the outcome, but I’m happy about it. Reports are saying that the outside interference might’ve been from Husky Harris, which would be great, as he has a similar attitude to what you usually see from Nexus, and adding a 7th active member to the group is a good thing.
Though I’m sure some might disagree, John Cena joining Nexus is a great thing – not just a good thing. The angle gets to continue – which is good because there are several other things they can do with Nexus that they haven’t explored yet, and it forces John Cena into an interesting spot to see how he’ll respond.
Unified Diva’s Championship – Natalya vs Michelle McCool (c)
I struggle to be interested in this match, as I think it was poorly built towards and is being treated like something of a throw-away match, especially given how the Night Of Champions title match was developed.
I like the outcome they went with here. It makes sense to build up Natalya as a legit wrestler while continuing the attitude / personality of LayCool by having them get disqualified and avoid losing their title by forcing the end of the match by cheating. This feud could have some decent legs to it (pun intended), and I’d actually like to see some Tyson Kidd vs Kaval matches involved as a side-note.
Smackdown World Title Match
The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) vs Kane (c)
It’s hard to believe that Kane is not only getting a championship reign here in 2010, but it’s actually a World Title reign with significant interest to it. Although I was only interested in three matches on the entire card tonight, this was certainly one of them. I think Hell In A Cell would be an inopportune time to end this feud, though I’m not sure what could continue this feud aside from either Kane running off to be counted out (possibly stealing the urn), or Paul Bearer turning his back on The Undertaker.
In a very surprising turn of events – which I said SHOULD happen but never actually expected to happen – Kane not only retained the Smackdown World Championship, but he did so with the help of Paul Bearer, who blinded The Undertaker with the light from the urn after it seemed like The Undertaker was going to win back the championship.
Final Thoughts
The WWE certainly pulled out some surprising outcomes on this card – primarily because I didn’t think they had the guts to make it happen. It was certainly a good event, and the Kane / Undertaker match was probably one of the best they’ve had in the history of their long storied history with one another.
With three weeks until the next pay per view – Bragging Rights – WWE has already laid the foundation for several interactions on the card, though unless people are going to have their alignment changed (I’m looking at you, should-be-FACE Edge), I’m not extremely happy with how they’re building up things. There were plenty of options available to build cross-promotional tensions, and the WWE went with some eyebrow-raising ones.
All in all the pay per view wasn’t the best of the year, but it certainly was better than I thought it was going to be, and I’m looking forward to the next few pay per views as a direct result of the outcomes of a few of the matches tonight.
I liked the card all in all.
I agree that Edge face turn would be nice to see as he’s been in limbo for too long. The “Crusade against stupidity” is a good way to put him up against heels (who tend to have the smallest grip on rationality) and Edge has the comedic timing to really have fun with it. As gimmicks go its perfect for him. If its not working as a face he can go heel and just see stupidity in everything the idea is so versitile.
I’m glad Natalya didn’t win but was made to look strong. Divas division needs a feud and her chasing LaCool will easily be the most intersting thing thats happened in the Divas division for a long time.
Cena lost which wasnt much of a suprise. Looked like Husky Harris with the help. The first ‘fan’ in the ring was probably Little Hennig so Nexus is back up to 8. Maybe Husky’s brother Bo but he was definitely big enough to be a wrestle. Expanding Nexus will do wonders to breathe some life into the storyline.
I expect Orton/Barrett to be the next feud for them, partly because I don’t see who else will challenge for the belt (Cena is still in Nexus storyline, Edge has his crusade, Sheamus maybe but they should get someone else at least for a while). With Cena taken care of the Belt is the next obvious target for Nexus.
I don’t see how any other ending would make sense for Kane/Taker. Taker wins w/ Bearer then Kane can’t compete, storyline over. Kane wins over Taker w/ Bearer than what else can Taker do. This way Taker can take out Bearer while getting powerful enough to destroy Kane. I knew the feud continued because SD in Edmonton is advertising a Street Fight match for Kane/Taker so they had to continue it by either taking out Bearer or having him turn.
Good article for a surprisingly good PPV.
A couple of questions/comment for you, based on your comments:
I think you’re probably right about Orton vs Barrett being a good next title feud, but do you think they will have that match at Bragging Rights? It would probably depend on whether or not Orton was involved in the multi-man three-way match (RAW vs Smackdown vs Nexus). I don’t see a need for Orton on the RAW team, nor Barrett on the Nexus team, do you?
Also, I don’t always read too much into how shows are advertised, given that they are typically “card subject to change”.
I agree with the fact that the ppv was surprisingly good. Thanks for the praise of the article.
I called it, Bearer realigns himself with Kane!! XD This feud is just MONEY right now, I’m loving it. I’m so satisfied with how strongly Kane is being pushed, finally he’s getting what he deserves.
Interested to see how Cena being a part of Nexus will play out, and I think it’s be wise to go ahead and turn Edge face, I mean he’s already on the verge now anyways.
How are you going to feel if this feud ends with a casket match that Kane loses and his career ends at that point? A bit torn, I would guess.
Yeah this a good PPV all around, I loved the looks on the kids faces when Cena lost, it was priceless. I loved how RKO had this long ending, going to the top of the cell, I was wondering if something was about to happen. Sheamus come beat him down, leaving him for The Miz, or Triple H return. I guess this was just the continue of the Vipers reign of WWE.
Yeah, it seemed like that could’ve been a prime opportunity for something, but it doesn’t surprise me that WWE gives Orton a moment in the sun to bask in his successful defense, as they’ve been pushing him to the moon the past couple months.
Oh also, I wouldn’t assume that those guys who interfered are joining the Nexus. If you remember at the end of season 2, Mr Mcguilcuty said something about the Genisis will be coming, so this could be another group on the way. We shall see.
Good point… though I have to think they’re aligned somehow.
Yeah I agree, or some type of agreement between the two teams. But you would have to think that Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris really don’t need to be aligned with the Nexus, since they would think they are better than them, since they were born 4 this. So they would be more of using the Nexus more than anything.
I would really like to see them Join with Ted DiBiase and create the “The Fortunate Sons” team, since they have mentioned Ted Dibiase before as a Fortunate son. Of course it would be weird for that since it was Brett Dibiase and Mcgillicutty who formed that tag team, but hopefully that would end up bringing Brett into the WWE down the road. Since he almost came up before getting hurt.
I was disappointed that the infamous cell wasn’t used at all. I recall Sheamus pressing Orton’s face into it, but that was it. The steel steps and the outside barricade got more love than the cell did. The matches didn’t live up to the pay-per-view’s title or to the cell’s legacy, and I was left a bit sad at the end.
The reappearance of Triple H would’ve been perfect. Sheamus has nowhere to go, no feuds awaiting him. I legitimately thought that when Sheamus went under the ring for that chair, he’d end up with a very angry Triple H instead.
The triple-threat submission match had the result I had predicted, but I couldn’t help but be impressed with how well Danielson and Morrison forced The Miz into the best match of the night. I’ll be the first to admit I hate The Miz, but this feud with Danielson has made him a better wrestler.
I was also amazed that the WWE kept the title on Kane. He deserves it a lot more than Taker does, and in my opinion put on a better match last night. We all know they would never let Kane go over clean, so Paul Bearer switching sides wasn’t too surprising. The Paul Bearer hype died for me last night when I realized his infamous high-pitched “Ohhhhhhh yeeeeeeesssssssss!” won’t ever be heard again. I guess he’s just too old to do it now.
Everything else was just… blah. The Divas match, the Edge/Swagger match, the Orton/Sheamus match… blah. Wade Barrett is great when Nexus isn’t messing with his matches, and it looked like he might have cleanly gotten out of the STFU which was great for his credibility, but no surprise with the ending there. I’m glad I watched it for free, that’s all I have to say.
Great stuff, I loved how the WWE cut to shots of all the kids crying after he lost. Very well done angle after a strong match.
Cena looks to be improving in the ring and this angle with the CeNexus is going to be ratings gold for a while. Should hold the WWE over til Mania system.
This was a good article. Lots of good points raised