So as promised, I'm back with a recap of last nights WWE PPV Hell in a Cell!
I had a great time watching the event overall. (how bad can getting out of the house, chowing down at Buffalo Wild Wings, and hanging with friends and family really be??) However, This PPV left me a little disappointed on several fronts. First and foremost was the lack of the aforementioned cell. Why not have every match take place in the cage? Instead, we got plenty of Hell with very little cell. So lets take a walk through each match and see how it all went down shall we?
Alberto Del Rio vs. Randy Orton
The feud between Randy and ADR had been brewing for a few weeks and had provided some interesting moments. Most notably, ADR had began to refer to himself as the new "Apex Predator" of the WWE, a moniker that Orton has used for much of his career. Alberto had even stooped to openly mocking and mimicking Randy after his matches.
This was a pretty good match with a lot of back and forth action. Momentum swung both ways with Del Rio spending most of the match softening up Orton's arm in an attempt to lock in his finishing maneuver the "cross armbreaker" Orton also made several attempts to utilize his own popular finisher the RKO, but missed it on his first few attempts.
I must stop here and discuss one of my beefs with the WWE. Every time Randy Orton wrestles, he has to make multiple attempts before nailing the RKO. Time and time again, opponents find a way to get out of it!. Apparently the RKO is the most telegraphed move in WWE history. Its becoming quite cliche to see him miss the attempt only to redeem himself later in the match.
OK, now that I have that off my chest, Orton eventually did hit the RKO on ADR and it was pretty sick! your winner: Randy Orton, match grade: B
Antonio Cesaro vs, Justin Gabriel for the United States Championship
This match began a trend that would last throughout the evening, the Champion being introduced first. Shouldn't the contender for the belt be the one to enter the ring first out of respect for the champ? Apparently the WWE doesn't think so! This match-up was a pretty competitive. It featured a contrast of styles, high flying (Gabriel) vs. technique and strength (Cesaro) The WWE has been hyping up Cesaro's heel characteristics lately and have just begun to give the character depth. Therefore, even though the match was pretty good, you never really believed the belt was truly in jeopardy.
Your winner: Cesaro retains the championship. Match Grade B-
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship
Again, Kofi's entrance music hit first, going against all my old school wrestling sensibilities. This match felt a little stale as it was the third bout between these two in a matter of weeks. I think both performers did an admirable job, it just seemed a little overdone at this point. I will say this, the ability of Kofi Kingston to hit his finishing kick "Trouble in Paradise" so suddenly and viciously, out of seemingly nowhere, is impressive. He actually kicked the Miz so hard a couple of weeks back that he split his forehead open (like for real not fake!) I have fond memories of the "Macho Man" Randy Savage and the The Ultimate Warrior holding this belt as a child, but I don't think I will remember this match years from now.
Your winner: Kingston retains the championship. Match grade: C+
Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs. The Prime Time Players
Any match featuring Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara is bound to be entertaining, and this match was no exception. My hat is off the the Prime Time Players as well. Even though they are heels, I have grown to like this tag team quite a bit of late. (Millions of Dollars! Millions of Dollars!) The most memorable moment of this match was kind of frightening. Sin Cara had his neck bent at an awkward angle during one of the moves, and seemed somewhat off the rest of the match. I was sure the moment was not scripted, it looked really ugly. Luckily, we would later find out he was OK.
Your winner: Mysterio and Sin Cara. Match grade: A-
Team Hell No vs. Team Rhodes Scholars for the Tag Team Championship
Kane and Daniel Bryan who make up team Hell No have had a hard time working together of late. Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow on the other hand have utilized tremendous team work to fight their way to the number one contender spot for the Tag Team Championship.
The match started with Kane and Bryan seemingly on the same page, but of course this wouldn't last long. trouble brewed late in the match when Bryan attempted a move off the apron and connected with Kane instead. This led to Kane going nuts and getting Team Hell No disqualified, keeping their belts however due to the DQ.
I must admit that this act is getting a little tired. This was once the funniest angle in WWE, but its luster is sadly starting to fade.
Your winners: Team Rhodes Scholars. Match Grade B-
The Big Show Vs. Sheamus for the World Heavywieght Championship
This was a very good match, and had the whole restaurant going crazy as the tide turned back and forth. Show hit Sheamus with a KO punch and Sheamus shocked the world by kicking out of the pin attempt that followed! If that wasn't unbelievable enough, Sheamus actually picked The Big Show up over his back, (for a few seconds even) then hit him with the signature move White Noise! I still cant believe how easily Sheamus picked up this giant! After finding a way to hit Show with the Brogue Kick, Show had his own unexpected kick out. After regaining the momentum, Show clocked Sheamus with yet another KO punch! This one proved too much for the Celtic Warrior and he finally fell to The Big Show! What a Match!! Best match of the PPV by far!
Your winner: The Big Show wins the title. Match grade: A+
C. M. Punk vs. Ryback for the WWE Championship
I must say that I was pretty pumped up for this main event! I have grown tired of watching Punk face John Cena time and time again. Ryback would hopefully infuse some new life into the Saga of C.M. Punk, the self proclaimed "best in the world".
In a short amount of time, Ryback has risen from relative unknown to fan favorite. I like Ryback, but anyone who watched wrestling in the late 90's cant help but draw comparisons to Bill Goldberg. Massive size, strength, and undefeated streak, it all seems a bit.... familiar. Ryback does however, seem like the perfect foil for the loud abnoxious Punk.
This had all the makings of a memorable match, Throw the menacing cell into the mix, and we could have had a truly great match on our hands. But of course, the WWE had to go and ruin all that potential by utilizing the old bad guy referee routine.
Right as Ryback was about to hit Punk with the shell shock and seemingly bring Punks near year long title reign to an end, The ref hit Ryback with a low blow, then aided Punk with a quick 1 2 3.
Punk haters did get some satisfaction when Ryback chased Punk to the top of the cage and slammed him to the steel. Not only was the ending a huge let down, the match ended about 10 minutes early. I found myself wondering if something went wrong with the planning somewhere, was Punk supposed to crash through the top of the cell to the mat below? Hell in the Cell matches from the past would leave one to think that a wow moment was about to happen, but alas.... it was not meant to be. It will be interesting to see where they take Ryback from here. Will he continue to be a main event staple, or be shuffled back in the pack when Cena's arm is healthy again? Only time will tell.
Your winner: Punk retains the title (via cheating ref) Match grade: B-
In the end, the night was enjoyable as always, but the ending left much to be desired and lacked a wow factor. This is starting to become a pattern with WWE PPV's, they often don't live up the month long hype. Here's hoping that trend begins to change with next months Survivor Series.
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