BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
I’m going into this show with a bit of cautious optimism. I’ve not watched that much WWE programming in the past month so I’ve not been smothered by the WWE machine. My expectations for the WWE are so low these days that a three star match would get an applause out of me. I’ve seen tons of great workrate in the WWE in the past six months, but it’s just not grabbing me as something “special”. I feel turned off by the way Triple H and Stephanie’s character’s act and how Daniel Bryan’s storyline has gone. It’s made me uninterested in the entire WWE product. The NFL season is going full swing, the NBA season is starting, and the holiday hustle is upon on us. The WWE is not doing anything to make it “must see” for me. If you’re into things these days, awesome! It’s just not for me right now. I’m still watching and still keeping up though. That’s the curse of being a lifelong fan. You just can’t FULLY cut the cord.That said, I know a Hell in a Cell pay per view means we get at least one Hell in a Cell match. I’m a big fan of Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton so I looked forward to the match as much as I can knowing shenanigans would likely go down at the end. So I sat back and watched this show, armed with a loose Fast Forward button.
I had a decent time fast forwarding through this show. I ended up watching like an hour and half of it. I watch it before RAW the Monday after so I only have a limited amount of time. Just because I skipped it doesn’t mean I hated it. I had to be selective. Sadly, this means I neglect the diva’s division. I watched the opening Tag Team Title match. I’m still not sold on the Usos. They get over because they have no other choice. There just aren’t many babyface teams so they’re getting easy pops. They did good, but were still the weaker part of this solid three way. I really don’t have any complaints. I wish the Usos would click with me. They just don’t and I’m sure I’m not alone. As much as I enjoy Fandango, I have a long running tradition of not watching the Great Khali wrestle. Sadly, Fandango, Natalya, and Summer Rae were victims of bad match crossfire.
I really enjoyed Dean Ambrose and Big E. Langston. It wasn’t perfect, but it told a good story and showed off what these two can do in a nice eight or so minute match. This is a feud that I can get behind. I don’t want Ambrose to lose his US Title and would much rather see Big E. take the IC Title from Curtis Axel. But if I had to decide who I’d rather see Big E. wrestle and showcase himself with I’d go with Ambrose more times than not.
The Punk/Ryback/Heyman Cell Match was pretty much all spectacle. It was a lack luster match with really nothing memorable about it all. The only stuff that anyone will ever talk about is Paul’s awesome “I am the devil” promo and Punk beating him up on top of the Cell at the end. I’m already forgetting what happened. It just wasn’t fun for me. These are the tedious storylines that have turned me off.
Skipped right past Jack Swagger. I like Cesaro a lot and I’m still curious about Los Matadores, but I didn’t need to see this five minute lame match. I could have lived without seeing Alberto drop his belt to John Cena for no reason or heat at all. It just happened and it sucked. John Cena already has the demeanor as if he’s “just doing his part and rockin’ the B-show belt”. Like he’s got this aura of smirky “yeah, I’m better than this” going on. It sucks and is already clearly in our faces. Alberto Del Rio is one of the best wrestlers in the company today. He needs to be working with a few younger talents for a little. I’d love to see him take on a Big E. Langston or Kofi or even Miz for awhile. Just something different.
Skipped the divas match and went right into the main event. I enjoyed the match, but of course there was “antics” at the end. That kind of stuff kills any potential for me of being a “match of the year”. It could have very well been up there, but nope. Not after a Super kick and Triple H’s bullshit. I have no issue with storylines moving forward and finishes being teased for a while, but when the storylines suck it might as well be static on a screen. You know that whole “if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound” thing applies. If a great match happens and no one is around to give a shit about it does it even fucking matter?
Wrestling is broken. I’m getting my hammer ready.
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