Before I go into this, I must admit that I’m not overly excited for Hell in a Cell, which actually quite upsets me, as it’s always been one of my favorite PPV’s. There are three matches I’m really invested in and I’m not sure I can tell you the rest of the card. I’m mildly irritated that Finn Balor isn’t even on the card but with his atrocious booking and inability to pick up any momentum, I’m also not surprised.
However, I have decided to give my head a bit of a shake and approach this with the same open-mindedness I had going into ‘All In’
With that being said….. here we go.
Dum, dum duuuum… Then…Now…Forever
The three matches I’m really looking forward to are Jeff Hardy v Randy Orton, Becky Lynch v Charlotte and AJ Styles v Samoa Joe.
Jeff Hardy v Randy Orton – Hell in a Cell match
Jeff and Randy are up first, which is smart. This match is going to be one for the ages as Jeff makes his HIAC debut, surprising really as, c’mon, it’s Jeff Hardy. Part of me is wondering if this is going to be Jeff’s swan song. With Matt retiring, you can’t help but wonder if Jeff won’t be too far behind. I’m convinced he’s either going down in a blaze of glory with some ridiculously epic spot that will end with him leaving in a body bag or he’s going to stand victorious, dancing on top of the cell. My gut tells me, Orton will win though and he’s going to pull Jeff’s ear off.
I absolutely love this Randy Orton. He’s the best ‘tweener’ character, something we don’t see a lot of this days. He’s a convincing and arrogant heel and I think he’s at his absolute best right now.
I adore Jeff Hardy, he’s one of my all time favorite guys but I’m still not bought into this face paint, watered down ‘Brother Nero’ gimmick he has going on.
Jeff gets a huge pop and the crowd are hyped and nervously excited as the ‘Delete’ chants ring out. I like the look he’s sporting, a nod to his New Brood days of mesh shirts.
30 seconds into the match and they’re both bouncing off the cell. These guys have worked together before and although they are polar opposite characters, they know each other well and you can see the trust they have in each other. It makes for a great start to the match.
Jeff thrusts a table into Randy’s gut, which he sells well and Jeff looks to be building momentum.
Put the ladder down Jeff!
A nicely landed chair shot and Orton is on the offensive with some vicious uppercuts.
And a quick turn and Jeff lands a sweet Poetry in Motion. He looks good, his composure is good and they’re taking time to recover between big spots. His hair flies about and he lands a couple of what I call ‘hairobic moves’ before Randy slows the pace again, in true
heel fashion.
Randy executes a picture perfect Superplex as the crowd start rallying behind Jeff.
Jeff pulls off a Whisper in the Wind and get’s a near fall.
I’m still scared, even more so as he picks up the ladder again and it then ends up upside down outside the ring. He blocks a Suplex and reverse it, picking Randy up and dropping him on the upturned later, belly first. I actually winced a little. That had to hurt.
The action goes back into the ring and chair shot after chair shot and then Randy starts whipping Jeff with this own belt. AAGGHH I hate Randy Orton right now!
Randy traps Jeff inside the ladder and starts beating it down on him, right into his shoulders.
A well placed sleeper by Randy outs him firmly in control but the anticipation builds as Jeff tries to come back to life. Bounce off the ropes and a snap scoop slam by Randy. Absolutely love that move.
And the toolbox and the screwdriver. Oh my, what is Randy doing? No! No! No! He put the screwdriver through Jeff’s flesh tunnel hole and just starts twisting it. This is kinda hard to watch, bordering on a little too far for my taste.
Randy turns around and blood spots are all over his back from when Jeff hit him with the studded belt.
Jeff looks done. The viper coils but Jeff moves and beats down on Orton again.
Jeff pulls a chair on top of Randy and heads to the top rope. Aghh Swanton Bomb in top of the chair which is on top of Randy. 1,2… he kicks out. The crowd goes nuts. Randy’s leg has skin hanging off it and blood trickling down his thigh.
There are two different sized ladders set up and a table, Randy is laid out on the table. What on earth is Jeff going to do now? I can’t believe this match, I can’t believe they’re both still going.
And Jeff climbs the ladder, up, up, up. Wait…what? Jeff Hardy is swinging from the top of the Cell. He is swinging from the top of a 30ft Cell. And he drops down, as Randy moves and he lands full speed, full body on the table, which shatters in half.
Randy insists on a pin. 1.2.3 Orton wins!
A stretcher comes out to cart Jeff off and a paint filled tear rolls from his eye. Is it the end?
What a match! What a start!
Blah, blah, blah, further promotion for things.
Becky Lynch v Charlotte (c) – Smackdown Womens Championship Match
Badass Becky is officially done with everyone’s crap. I am totally in love with this Becky, it’s exactly what she needed and gives her that ‘tweener’ character to work with and an edge the women’s division really needs right now.
Before this match gets going I have to comment on Charlotte. There is something way off with her right now. Something about the way she carries herself just doesn’t seem right. I don’t know if she’s carrying an injury or quite what it is but she looks uncomfortable and
she has done for a while.
The crowd is still really hyped. Having this match next is great booking.
The match starts at a nice pace, with a nice combination of moves and fluidity. Something you see when two people know each other and work well together. They are playing off the crowd and each other, which adds a nice depth to the story telling of this match. I really
really want Becky to win. I think it’s her time to be on top again and I think they’ve reached the point where they just have to put the belt on her.
The match continues with a nice series of mat grappling sequences and I am really enjoying the emphasis and precision Becky executes with. And she still hasn’t smiled! I can see some of the vintage heel characteristics creeping in, maxing out the count in the corner for example.
These two ladies display incredible flexibility and poise and they are an absolute delight to watch. The match is quick, there are big moves and they are both technically sounds.
Charlotte misses the Moonsault and Becky tries to lock in the Dis-arm-her but to no avail. Charlotte picks her up straight off the mat in an incredible display of strength. Near fall for Charlotte.
Becky heads to the top rope. No dice. Charlotte reverses a Boston crab and another near fall. Another Dis-arm-her attempt by Becky but
not successful.
A quick back and forth and a reversal by Becky. 1,2,3 Becky wins! New women’s champion! Yaaaasss!!
Charlotte lingers in the ring to try to raise Becky’s hand and she’s having none of it. She raises the belt, get’s right in Charlotte’s face and basically tells her to shove it. This just makes me love her even more.
Another brilliant match.
Recap of pre show – The New Day def Rusev Day to retain the SD Tag titles. Must remember to go back and watch that.
More promotion of events.
Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre(c) v Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose Raw Tag Team Title match.
Renee Young is on commentary! Yes! You go girl!
I don’t dislike the partnership between Dolph and Drew but I’m also not really bought into it yet. All I see is a nod to the HBK and Diesel partnership back in the day. Maybe that’s all I’m meant to see I suppose. We haven’t had this type of dynamic work much over the years and it definitely brings a new direction to Raw. So although I’m not 100% bought into it, I’m open to it and I’m interested to see where it will go.
Seth Rollins is a gem, a committed workhorse. He’s the true face of Raw. Burn it down. I love him, so damn much.
For now Ambrose is riding his return high, but I’m convinced it’s only a matter of time before he breaks off, turns on the SHIELD and you then have your biggest heel on Monday nights. My hubby predicted a 3 way match between the SHIELD members for Mania next year.
On paper Doplh and Seth is an awesome match. They could main event every PPV and I don’t think I’d ever get tired of seeing them.
I am a huge fan of Ziggler, always have been and I think this partnership with Drew is good for him and brings some life back to him as he was starting to stagnate a little.
Dean is in great shape. He is solid and sharp. His move set is definately not geared towards being a long-term face.
Seth delivers a Slingblade and an Enziguri with great emphasis and the match has a great momentum and pace. Drew trips Seth as he comes off the ropes, classic heel. He’s trying his hardest to work at his character but I actually question if he’s actually a good wrestler.
Are we distracted by his size, his hair, his accent? Does it matter? Probably not.
Seth has been in the ring a while and Dean is bouncing on the apron, desperate to get it. This sort of thing gets the crowd fired up and the anticipation starts to build.
At times this match seemed to flow well and at time sit felt disjointed. it’s been going a while now and we’ve seen more show boating and trash talking than actual wrestling moves but it tells a good story so I’m not complaining.
Dean finally gets tagged but Dolph is distracting the ref so he didn’t see the tag. Brilliant twist.
Dolph and Seth work brilliantly together and pull of some nice fluid sequences.
Dolph and Drew are outside the ring and Seth launches himself through the ropes and gets caught. Dean jumps too and ends up on top of them all.
I don’t know how Seth does this but he then manages to reverse a DDT into a Falcone Arrow. what an incredible move!
All 4 are now in the ring and it’s total chaos. 2 near falls. Zig Zag delivered and Seth kicks out. He climbs the ropes, lands a frog splash and another kick out.
Dean comes in, the pace is so fast, I’m struggling to write quick enough. Seth misses a body press on the outside and he looks done but then he’s back on the apron again. Seth sets up Dolph for a Falcone Arrow to be greeted with a Claymore by Drew. Drew and Dolph
retain and Drew carries Dolph and the titles up the ramp.
We are three for three. Another brilliant match.
The next match up is
AJ Styles (c) v Samoa Joe for the World Heavyweight Championship
Prediction is for AJ to retain.
AJ’s arms are a thing of beauty, I’m just sayin’
Another classic match between two guys who know each other so well. I just wonder what they can do differently to what they already did at Summerslam and as this match rolls on, it turns out, not a lot. It actually feels flat in places. AJ is one of the best wrestlers in the
world and Joe is giving him a good run for his money but other than a torture rack, it’s pretty much the same as Summerslam but they don’t have Wendy and Anney in the crowd to give it the extra personal touch.
They both pull off their trademark moves perfectly but I’m kinda bored with it. AJ bumps his face off the corner and there’s a bit of blood. AJ brushes off an attempt at a Muscle buster, hits an Enziguri and then lands a perfect Pele kick.
A Phenomenal forearm, Joe catches him and locks in the Cochina clutch, AJ bridges over him. 1,2,3 AJ wins but Joe is going nuts at the ref. A replay shows AJ did in fact tap out. This means we’re going to have to see this one more time at least.
A bit disappointed as it wasn’t as good as their last match.
Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella v The Miz and Maryse.
I’d forgotten this match was on the card to be honest and I wasn’t at all enthusiastic when I remembered.
I get that they’ve added to ladies to prolong the Miz v Bryan story line but I have a huge problem with them both being in the ring right now. I don’t see that they have a worthwhile part to play in the current women’s climate. This match is nothing more than a cash in on their reality TV success and frankly, I think they should stick to it. I expect nothing from this match apart from some showboating, overacting and cringe worthy comical release.
Please don’t take this to mean I didn’t adore these women back in the Diva’s era. They were there for the transition and they are fierce working Mamma’s but it just doesn’t feel like they belong in the ring right now.
Bryan and The Miz’s spots are great, purely because Bryan is an amazing wrestler with the heart of a lion and The Miz is a great showman.
As this match rolls on, Brie gets more and more irritating bouncing around on the outside of the ring and the camera is constantly glued to her. She tries to look angry and frustrated but it’s so over acted and not in the slightest bit believable.
I’m quickly done with this match. And I was very surprised that Maryse won clean.
Alexa Bliss v Ronda Rousey (c) Raw Womens Title
I love Alexa Bliss. Her rise and development has been staggering and I’m still so annoyed at how she was treated at Summerslam. She looked weak and she deserves better as she’s been a shining star ever since she was called up from NXT.
I also don’t think Rousey can be marketed as the baddest woman on the planet when she comes out grinning from ear to ear. Yeah, we get it, you’re happy to be there but play your character please. I honestly can’t stand her. She’s a ready-made star apparently but
everything about her is a contradiction. Her hair, her make up, her ring attire, I hate it. I also think having all these people at ringside distracts from what’s going on in the ring. My theory is that they have them all out there for exposure and to build the Evolution PPV.
And don’t get me started on Nattie’s new favourite hobby – plastic surgery.
I’m hoping once we get over the Rousey hype, her ability will speak for itself. There is no doubt she’s going to work hard, her enthusiasm and willingness to learn is obvious and she has definitely got some moves but please, stop ramming her down our throats.
There’s no way they’re going to put the belt back on Alexa, when in fact they should as he cements her as legitimate contender for Rousey, who at the moment, is being pushed to being untouchable. *Coughs, Brock Lesnar, Coughs*.
The match itself is actually pretty good. Alexa is looking strong, which is a surprise. Alexa pulls of a lovely acrobatic sequence and Rousey sells well. For all my ranting at the beginning of the match, I actually quite enjoyed it.
At this point, I’m at 100% correct predictions.
Moving on. Main event
Roman Reigns (c) v Brawn Strowman – MITB cash in – Mick Foley as guest referee. Universal Championship match. Hell in a Cell Match
I’m going to say it. I don’t think Foley should have been guest referee. I think he should have been on commentary. It puts him too close to the match and it further cements my theory that WWE have no faith in their top talent and always default to a nostalgic pop because of it. With an eye towards the future, we still dwell on the past.
I care not for this match. I am not a fan of either and I don’t care for the Universal Title at all.
I’m predicting a Dean & Seth and Dolph & Drew interference.
Brock?
Must
Turn
Brawn
Heel
Must
Get
Roman
Over
I nothing both of them.
I actually find myself daydreaming about who would be a good champion for the red brand.
Finn? Yes. I love Finn and they need to do something with him quite urgently
Lashley? Maybe. His comeback has been very dull though and he has no charisma
Elias? oooooh yes, I like that
Corbin? Hmmm. He can’t actually wrestle though
KO? ooooh yes, I like that even more
Ambrose? Maybe, once he’s gotten over his return high, re-established himself as a heel and turned on the other two.
Seth? I like that too but he’s IC champ
It doesn’t really matter because before long, Lesnar is going to come back for his rematch, win the belt back and we’ll be right back where we started.
Foley just botched a count. I roll my eyes.
This current title situation, this current freedom to speculate about it and breathe life back into it presents a better opportunity for the upper card, who have had nothing to work towards whilst Lesnar was champ. But we must accept the fact that this will not last. Prepare yourselves now so you aren’t disappointed when it happens.
Back to the match. Roman got a table out.
I don’t even want Brawn to win. If he did, his size immediately eliminates some of the upper card as legitimate competition. At least if Roman wins, it keeps the opportunity alive. I think I might want Roman to win.
Brawn has very little wrestling ability but he’s a big guys and we all know he’s only there to satisfy Vince’s hard on for big guys.
Roman spears Brawn through a table. That was actually pretty cool.
Here comes the cavalry to reinvigorate the crowd. These two cannot carry an interesting match so they send Dean, Seth, Dolph and Drew, the actual workhorses, to salvage something.
They all end up climbing the Cell and knocking each other about. Dolph and Seth make their way down, knocking each others head off the Cell and BOOM!!! Both of them fall to the ground, straight through the announce table.
Insert a mass of expletives as Brock Lesnar’s music hits.
I am done. I am so done. I am done with all three of these guys. I am done with this title. I’M DONE!
Corbin will give Lesnar his rematch and he’ll win and that’ll be the end of that.
And the ref stops the match.
What a ridiculous ending.
‘All In’ was a love letter to professional wrestling, the end of this match was a giant middle finger to it.
What a shame. This PPV was one of WWE’s best showings in a long time and I have really enjoyed watching it but that ending leaves a bad taste. Bar the last 5 minutes, this was actually a brilliant PPV.
