When I was writing my preview of Battleground I
completely forgot what show was following it. Had I remembered I would have
altered my predictions accordingly. With hindsight it seems obvious that Bryan
and Orton were going to wrestle to a no contest to set up another match in the
series inside WWE's premier gimmick. With their programme stretching back to
SummerSlam it makes sense to have the final showdown occur in the Hell in a
Cell.
There are arguments to be made in favour of both as far
as winning's concerned. 'The Viper' could become a eight time champion and head
into a dispute with Big Show. That wouldn't be anyone's favourite feud but it
would at least make sense and follow on from the last few months of story.
Bryan could win and continue his rivalry with Triple H. The championship has
been central to the animosity between them, Bryan wanting it and Tripper
wanting to keep a tight control on who gets it. Casting Bryan as the renegade
champ might not be the best fit but it would at least follow from what’s
already happened.
When thinking about who'll win this match I've not paid
much attention to Shawn Michaels being on referee duty. The likelihood is that
he'll call the match fairly. I can't see him turning heel, there would be
little point as there's no match that could come directly from it. I could see
him giving Sweet Chin Music to 'The Viper' though, after bring sufficiently
provoked. That would provide a storyline clause for 'The Game' to keep up his
campaign of hatred against Bryan: he won because if the actions of HBK.
Alternatively Orton could win after an errant kick floors Bryan, although that
would serve only to prolong a programme I think is wrapping up.
The minutia of the match layout is impossible to predict
and so I'm not going to bother trying. What I will predict is a win for Daniel
Bryan and a title defence in the not too distant future against Triple H. That ‘The
Cerebral Assassin’ went out of his way to say that he would not face Daniel
Bryan during the October 21st RAW can be taken as a pretty clear
indication that the match will happen. Or at least that it's being considered.
The other world
championship will also be defended, though in a regular match as opposed to inside
the Cell. In one corner will be Alberto Del Rio. No surprise there: he's been
wearing or challenging for the WHC all year.
In the other corner will be John Cena. Which is
surprising for a couple of reasons. Firstly Cena underwent surgery shortly after
SummerSlam and we were told he'd be gone until early next year. Having seen him
return quickly from injuries before, thanks to his Wolverine-like ability to
heal, I wouldn't have been surprised to see him in a match at TLC. But to cut
back his recuperation time from five months to two verges on witchcraft.
The second reason Cena's involvement is surprising is
that the World Heavyweight championship has been beneath Cena for years now.
That the company's top star shows no interest in it is part of the reason the
title is now considered to be the second tier prize. Cena has concerned himself
exclusively with the WWE title, cementing that belt's reputation as the more
prestigious.
It's not impossible Cena will win as part of a long-term
title unification plot. But don't get your hopes up. I think the title is
likelier to stay with ADR. It would be a hindrance to Cena at this point and
any argument that him winning it could enhance is stature is invalid: if Cena
won the WHC it would clearly be to give him something to do and, more to the
point, championships increase in credibility over time as opposed to overnight
by being slapped around the waist of one man (even if that one is the biggest
active name in wrestling). If anything the title would be harmed being on
someone clearly viewing it as something to do until more important business
comes their way.
I'll be amazed if the match doesn't see 'The Essence of
Excellence' focusing on Cena's arm. Cena is returning from surgery on his elbow
and Del Rio's finisher, the cross arm breaker, has been built up over the years
as a legitimate hold that consistently gets wins. It's too good an opportunity
to miss. ADR may beat Cena clean with it, setting up the story of Cena
returning too soon. Where that would lead is anyone's guess but it would be
nice to have that element of fallibility introduced to the currently nigh invincible
Cena character.
The other option is that Del Rio gets disqualified for
shenanigans. That would protect Cena, always of importance, and would also keep
the strap on Del Rio. It's the safe, and boring, option and the one I suspect
they'll go with. Whatever the result I expect ADR to leave with the gold.
Another month, another guy on the poster not booked in an advertised match
The tag team titles were won by Cody Rhodes and Goldust
in a very good match on the October 14th RAW. That the titles
changed hands wasn't surprising: Cody 'n' Goldy have been amazingly popular
over the last month or so, to the extent that WWE practically had to capitalise
on it. Not only that but The Shield had been the champions since May 19th.
It was time for a change.
WWE are not presenting a straight rematch. The reason is
probably that we've seen Rollins and Reigns versus the Rhodes boys twice in the
last three weeks. As good as a third bout would be it would not be able to
offer anything new. Unless of course a gimmick had been added, which for some
reason seems to be off limits at this year's HIAC show.
To keep things from getting monotonous the Uso brothers
have been added to the match. Someone in WWE, quite possibly Triple H, seems
determined to have the public accept Jimmy and Jey. They're a perfectly
serviceable unit but I don't think they can progress much further than where
they are now. I get the feeling they're in this match to protect the more
important teams by taking the loss. 'The Hounds of Justice' could regain the
titles to keep the rivalry alive and ensure they remain hot but I think a
successful defence for the new champions is a better bet.
Meanwhile the Intercontinental championship will be
defended on the pre-show. Paul Heyman Guy Curtis Axel will defend against Big E
Langston. Think Big E's a heel? Think again! He became a good guy out of
nowhere on Monday's RAW, in a move that makes the breakup of the Langston-Ziggler-AJ
unit even more depressing. There was clearly no long term plan for any of them
(beyond having AJ "save" the Divas division) so there was no reason
they had to be parted.
I think we'll see 'The Perfect One' win with help from
Heyman. That would reinforce the image of Heyman being an effective agent and
someone wrestlers would want to have at ringside. It'd create reason for a
rematch too. I think Big E will get the gold at some point, just not this
Sunday.
On the subject of Heyman, he'll compete in his second pay-per-view
match of the year at Hell in a Cell. Like his Night of Champions outing it will
be a handicap match against CM Punk, only this time he'll team with Ryback as
opposed to the rather less effective Curtis Axel. And, to really push the boat
out, this match will also be fought inside the Hell in a Cell.
As I've already noted the addition of the Cell to this
match makes sense: Heyman and Punk have been at each other's throats since
July. I still think it's been a mostly tedious affair but it’s still one that
lends itself to the Hell in a Cell and the importance that comes with it.
Traditionally Hell in a Cell marks the end of a feud in
WWE. It’s a fittingly epic environment for a feud-ender and generally produces
matches that can’t be topped, so why bother trying? I’ve a feeling Punk v
Heyman and co will continue until Survivor Series (at least) and take in an
elimination match: Team Punk v Team Heyman.
‘The Second City Saint’ has lain down for Heyman clients
and Heyman himself at the last three pay-per-views. While wins and losses at
the level Punk is at don’t usually matter too much within WWE there does come a
point where a wrestler has to get a win to retain credibility. That’s the point
I think Punk’s at here. A loss won’t see him fall down the card or lose the
backing of people who already support him but it will send the message that he’s
doomed to failure battling Heyman. I don’t think that’s a message WWE wants to
give and so I’m predicting a Punk win.
AJ Lee defending the Divas championship against Brie
Bella is the final match announced. This is the third straight supershow on
which they’ll face each other. That’s not as bad as other matches on this card
but it is strange when you consider that WWE has a not insignificant number of
women that could be pitted against Ms Lee. The constant title shots for Brie
are desperate attempts to establish her as a babyface.
The Total Divas star has guaranteed victory. I don’t
think that’s something we should focus on. That’s not to say Brie definitely
won’t become the new champion, but I don’t think it’s anywhere close to a
certainty. I’d like to see AJ retain the title and move on to defences against
some of the other ladies on the roster (and for some NXT Divas to be called
up). Even if she remains champion I don’t think I’ll get my wish.
If we take the rumours that WWE wants to make Hell in a
Cell a top quality show to make up for their recent offerings to be true the
card we have is a little surprising. Yes, they're wheeling out the premier
gimmick. Yes, John Cena is making a comeback (after missing a grand total of
two pay-per-views). Yes, they've roped in Shawn Michaels to add interest to the
main event storyline. But that's it. The show was going to feature the cage no
matter what. Cena may attract a few extra buys but he by no means ensures the
show will be a classic. 'The Heartbreak Kid's' involvement could and should be
worthwhile, which is something, but not much by itself.
Ultimately though there's nothing about the card which
makes me think it will be significantly better than Battleground or Night of
Champions. WWE has misunderstood what was lacking from those shows: it wasn't
Cena or focus on the major matches, it was an enticing undercard. If WWE wanted
HIAC to appeal to fans irritated by the previous two supershows they should
have spent more time working on matches outside of their central plots.
On paper I don't think Hell in a Cell looks bad. Both of
the cage bouts should be enjoyable and the tag title affair has the potential
to be memorable. But nothing's been announced that makes me think this show
will reach the heights WWE apparently wants. The show could reach those heights
but it's going to take numerous excellent performances and surprises. And those
are disappointingly light on the ground in WWE at the moment.
Predictions
summary:
Daniel Bryan to defeat Randy OrtonCM Punk to defeat Ryback and Paul Heyman
Alberto Del Rio to retain the World Heavyweight championship
Cody Rhodes and Goldust to retain the tag team championship
AJ Lee to defeat Brie Bella
Curtis Axel to defeat Big E Langston
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