Friday, October 9, 2009

Hell in a Cell - October 4, 2009 - Newark, New Jersey

Satan’s structure. The devil’s playground.

Whatever nickname you want to give it, Hell in a Cell is one the most violent and destructive matches any wrestler can compete in. Jim Ross incessantly says that careers will end and people will change after being in this match. Since its inception in 1997 at the In Your House: Badd Blood pay-per-view, Hell in a Cell has become one of the more popular matches to see with seventeen of them being contested within the last twelve years. This is probably because of it’s brutality. People love violence; it’s very entertaining.

The very first cell, according to the Hell in a Cell: The Greatest Hell in a Cell Matches of All Time DVD, was sixteen feet tall and weighed over two tons. Then, as stated in the WWE Encyclopedia, in 2006 the cell was reconstructed to be 30 x 30 with 3,500 square feet of steel beams and steel mesh. Guys like Undertaker, Triple H, Mankind, Batista, and many others have contested in it coming out never being the same. Mick Foley admitted on the DVD he was in four out of the first five cell matches and doesn't even remember he was, but he has the scares to prove it. The very first was between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. The best one out of all of them, in my opinion, was Undertaker vs. Mankind at King of the Ring in 1998. From the get go that match was pure brutality. 'Taker throwing Mick off the top of the cage onto the annoucer's table, then chokeslamming him through the cell, and the thumbtasks. But it is also where we've heard some of JR's most famous lines like "Good God all mighty. Good God all mighty. They killed him" and "As God as my witness he's broken in half."

Just one quick question before I start. Is it me or does the Hell in a Cell PPV kind of remind you of TNA’s PPV Lockdown? Somebody’s stealing ideas!! Anyway, let’s get to work shall we.

CM Punk vs. Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Hell in a Cell match:

After Montreal Screwjob III at Breaking Point they really didn’t do much to promote this. There were no mind games from ‘Taker, which is very unusual, and there were only two matches between them (one of them was an 8-man tag so they barely faced each other). At first they were only focusing on Teddy Long and the whole conspiracy thing. I have only one thing to say about that…WHO CARES?!?

On the September 18th episode of Smackdown we did have Punk come out to gloat about the fact that he made ‘Taker “tap” and state that he’s a champion the people could be proud of. However, the main focus of that night was Long coming out with a horde of security guards apologizing to everybody for what he did, but he did it to keep his job. Whatever. Then when he went out to his limo he was abducted by the Deadman himself. (By the way, ‘Taker saying “Buckle up, Teddy” was priceless. And Teddy’s face was just hilarious. Haha!!). If they wanted to concentrate on the conspiracy then play it out. Undertaker is known for his mind games so do it to Teddy. Give him another heart attack and let somebody else take over Smackdown for awhile, as long as it’s not Vickie Guerrero. I mean I used to love Teddy and how he ran Smackdown. Honestly, I thought he was one of the best, but now, especially with the whole conspiracy thing, he’s pissing me off. I also have another way they could’ve played out this feud, but I’ll get to that in a bit.

Now the next week on Smackdown (September 25) Punk came out once again to state all of his achievements including making ‘Taker tap at Breaking Point and calling himself the face of Smackdown and the poster boy of the WWE. Face of Smackdown…definitely. Poster boy of the WWE…sorry Punk, but that’s taken by the likes of John Cena, Triple H, and Undertaker. Anyway, after some time we hear the infamous bong and the lights go out. Then we hear the Druids music come on and they come out with a casket. Well you guys know what comes next. Teddy is in the coffin. Punk helps him out and unties him only to have him say that Hell’s Gate is legal, Punk will be facing Undertaker with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line at Hell in a Cell in the hellish structure, and he was facing him that night. Punk wasn’t exactly happy after that. Later on that night they faced off with Punk winning when ‘Taker couldn’t make it back in the ring by the end of the ref’s ten count.

Lastly, on October 2nd at the Decade of Smackdown celebration (I can’t believe it’s been ten amazing years already!! CONGRATULATIONS SMACKDOWN!!) there was the biggest 8-man tag team match in its history with John Cena, DX, and Undertaker vs. Randy Orton, Legacy, and CM Punk. That match was truly a great match. Sometimes 8-man tags can be very sloppy, but they all performed very well. Cena, DX, and 'Taker did win after 'Taker gave Orton the Tombstone Piledriver.

So after all of this I, honestly, don’t have a winner for this match. Like I said in my last post I want ‘Taker to win, but then that’s unfair to Punk making him look like a paper champion and I want Punk to win, but that would make ‘Taker look bad so here’s the other way I believe this feud should’ve been played out. They really should’ve saved it for Survivor Series. They could’ve build it with maybe a match here and there and, of course, mind games, which would’ve made the ending product that much better, instead of a screw job and then three weeks later another match. Plus, Survivor Series is where the world was introduced to the Undertaker. How great would it be on his eighteenth or nineteenth year of being with the WWE he won the World Heavyweight Championship; possibly for the last time.

In the end, ’Taker did win becoming World Heavyweight Champion for the seventh time. Even though I was completely shocked and pissed that they opened with this main event match it was still an amazing bout. I figured it wasn’t going to last long with the shape ‘Taker’s hips are in now, but for the ten to fifteen minutes it did last they kept the audience in aw. Punk took some nasty bumps like the one when ‘Taker pushed him off the apron right into the Cell, but it was a hard fought battle. This feud isn’t over yet and I’m very happy about that. That means more ‘Taker!!

John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship:

Technically, this feud started at Breaking Point. However, Ziggler became No.1 Contender for the Intercontinental title on the August 27th episode of WWE Superstars when he defeated Mike Knox and Finlay. He was suppose to face Rey Mysterio, who was champion at the time, at Breaking Point, but because of Mysterio’s suspension for “drug use” and Morrison just winning the belt on August 28th they postponed it until Hell in a Cell.

They did, however, have them interact at Breaking Point. Since the PPV was held in Montreal, Pat Patterson, a true legend in the business being the first man to hold the Intercontinental Championship and a native to Montreal, came out to address his home town crowd. As he talked about his storied career Ziggler came out. Patterson was kind enough to comment Ziggler on his amazing talent saying he has a very bright future ahead of him and wishes him luck, but Ziggler wasn’t as kind with his comeback making fun of him saying he didn’t know Patterson was still alive until he came out. He kept on insulting him saying they’re wasting valuable PPV time on someone no one even remembers. Then attacks the poor guy. Luckily, Morrison came to his rescue with his long, flowing hair and amazing abs and…um…sorry about that.

Then on Smackdown the following Friday (Sept. 18) Morrison had a match with Mike Knox with Ziggler doing commentary with Good ol’ JR and Todd Grisham. After he kicked Knox’s, most likely hairy, butt, Morrison grabbed a mike and said that Ziggler might be making a name for himself, but the only name the fans will be chanting is Mr. Ziggles. Really? Mr. Ziggles? Don’t get me wrong I love the name; it’s great. It just sounds like something Disney would call one of their characters. Anyway, in the course of the next two weeks before Hell in a Cell they had two matches against each other (both tag team matches) and a talk on the Abraham Washington show. That was actually so dumb and so degrading towards Ziggler that I actually felt bad for him.

Even though I think it’s definitely Ziggler’s time because, like Patterson said, he is very talented and is a great character with a prominent future ahead of him, Morrison is going to retain.

In the end, Morrison did retain with his finisher the Starship Pain. This feud is only just beginning and probably will continue until at least Survivor Series or maybe later than that. Who knows?!? I do like this feud, though, since it is building two rookies who will very soon be amazing superstars.

Alicia Fox vs. Mickie James for the Divas Championship:

Yay! I can finally say something about the Divas.

Before I talk about this atrocity I need to get something off of my chest. When Divas like Chyna, Trish Stratus, and Lita were around the Women’s Division in WWE was amazing!! They performed in a way a woman never did before, which made me very hopeful that one day I could get into it and be like them. All three women were truly my idols. Now we have Divas like Mickie James, Michelle McCool, and Maria who don’t know what they hell they’re doing in the ring and are an embarrassment to the Women’s Division. Yeah, there’s girls like Gail Kim and Natalya that are absolutely amazing performers, but they’re not being used correctly. Also, the Divas Title is a total sham and any woman who goes into the WWE saying “My life goal is to become Divas Champion” should be thrown out, immediately. The Women’s Championship is very prestigious being held by the likes of the Fabulous Moolah, Alundra Blayze, and Trish Stratus an unprecedented seven times. A title I would love to have myself, but only God knows if that’ll happen or not. So, in other words, thanks WWE for now letting the Divas just be plan ol’ eye candy instead of being the very strong, but very beautiful women they were.

Phew! I feel better now.

Ok, so this feud started when Alicia Fox defeated Gail Kim on Raw on September 14th to become the No.1 contender for the Divas Championship. Then the next week on Raw (Sept. 21) as Mickie James faced off against Beth Phoenix, Alicia sat at ring side scouting her opponent. After the match she attacked Mickie hitting her over the head with her belt. That’s it. That’s everything leading to Hell in a Cell. Wow…I’m so excited for this match. NOT!! Mickie is definitely going to retain because, one, there was no build to it, and, two, they're not going to give the belt to a true rookie; especially one who can’t wrestle if her life depended on it.

In the end, Mickie does retain. Moving on.

Big Show and Chris Jericho vs. Batista and Rey Mysterio for the Unified Tag Team Championships:

There wasn’t really any build for this match either, but I was very excited about it because of the fact we’re seeing Batista and Rey Mysterio teaming up again. I love these guys and just having Rey back after his senseless suspension over a month ago was awesome.

It all started when Batista returned on Raw on September 14th to announce that he was actually moving to Smackdown (and to get one last shot at Orton). That Friday (Sept. 18) he debuted much to the chagrin of Jericho. Batista made a match with Jericho for that night and he, to take a quote from JR, “whipped him like a government mule”. Show watched on and after the match made one with Batista for the next week. Of course, Batista accepted. The two behemoths faced off with Batista prevailing via disqualification because Jericho ran in. However, Jericho got what was coming to him when Batista put him in an ankle lock. Later that night, Batista announced he wanted to face Jerishow at Hell in a Cell with his partner being Rey Mysterio.

I really want Mysterio and Batista to win. They are such an unlikely tag team with Batista being 6’6”, 290 lbs, and a mat wrestler while Mysterio is 5’6”, 175 lbs, and a high flyer, but they mesh so well together. They were great in 2005 when they did it in loving memory of Eddie Guerrero (RIP) and I think they can do it again just for the hell of it.

In the end, Jerishow retained after Show hit a huge right fist on Mysterio. Darn it! Hopefully this isn’t over and they keep up with these teams. I like both teams and I think they’ll work well together, but we’ll see.

Randy Orton vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship in a Hell in a Cell:

Ah, the feud that never ends. Thank God this wasn’t the main event or I wouldn’t have been a happy camper. Let’s see, after Orton squealed like a pig at Breaking Point, the guest GM on Raw the next night, the lovely Trish Stratus, decided to make the match between Orton and Cena for Hell in a Cell. Out of the entire night that was the only thing she did that I disagree on. That night during an interview Cena said, “I promise you will see a different side of me.” A more brutal and vicious side of him. Why do I feel like he says that for every match, but in a different way?

Anyway, the next week on Raw (Sept. 21) Orton and Cena signed the contract for the match. After they did, Orton brought out his new arsenal…Jerishow. WTF?!? Why are Jericho and Show helping Orton? Where’s Legacy in all of this? But I digress. As soon as Jerishow came out MVP and Mark Henry came to help Cena. So later on that night Orton, Jericho, and Show went against Cena, MVP, and Mark Henry with this “awesome” stipulation. If Orton’s team wins Cena would have to face them in a Gauntlet Match the next week on Raw, but if Cena’s team wins Orton would have to face them in a Gauntlet Match. Well Orton’s team did win. On the September 28th Raw Cena first fought Jericho and won via DQ when Jericho wouldn’t let Cena out of the Walls of Jericho since he was at the ropes. After that was Show and again won via DQ. As Orton walked slowly down the ramp Jericho and Show attacked Cena to soften him up. Once Orton was in the ring Cena had the cell lowered down around them. Orton tried to run out and get away, but was too late. Again, WWE, making your top heel look like a pussy is not a good thing at all. Better rethink doing that. But Orton was able to get out, decided to climb the cage, Cena climbed after him, and gave him the Attitude Adjustment on top of the cell.

Cena is, obviously, going to win because he’s superman. He can overcome any adversity. Whenever he’s put in a tough situation he always comes out on top. Plus, he just won the title so they’re not going to have him lose it three weeks later; not their top babyface.

In the end, Orton became WWE Champion for the sixth time. CENA LOST!!! However, he should’ve won since Orton was tapping to the STF, but the referee was knocked out. Oh well! This feud, unfortunately, is still not over because you know Cena is going to say something to try to get his belt back. The feud that never ends will continue in my next post for Bragging Rights I guarantee it.

R-Truth vs. Drew McIntyre:

This was a total surprise. No text messages. No announcement on wwe.com. I wonder why they did that. But they have been building this feud very well and I really like it. (Mainly because of Drew!! What? So I have a soft spot for long-haired bad boys. Is that a bad thing?!? Haha!!). It all started on the August 28th Smackdown when Drew debuted facing R-Truth. Before the match even started Drew attacked R-Truth giving him a Double-underarm DDT. That’s an excellent way of putting yourself out there; being very aggressive.

Then on Sept. 4th R-Truth had a match, but before his opponent even came out Drew attacked him from behind. After his assault Drew grabbed a mike and said that since he was overlooked he decided to make his own statement by attacking R-Truth. He will continue to do so until he is finally signed onto Smackdown. He wasn’t lying when he said this because on Sept. 11th and Sept. 18th he viciously attacked R-Truth. Finally, on Sept. 25th Vince officially signed him. As he’s talking, R-Truth came out and attacked him. “The tides have turned.” Lastly, on Oct. 2nd, as Drew was making a toast to himself, R-Truth once again attacked him.

Since I didn’t know this match was happening until that night I can’t give my prediction on who would win, but I’m very happy that in the end Drew won with his signature Double-underarm DDT. I’m glad that they’re really building him to be something. I just hope they continue to build him and not give up on him like they did when he was Dave Taylor's protege back in 2007. He has a lot of potential and I think he can be huge in the WWE. This feud is definitely not over, I just hope next time they do announce it.

Miz vs. Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston for the United States Championship:

Ok, so let me get this straight. Because Swagger comes out saying that he deserves the US Title since he is the All-American American and steals the title one night from Kofi, that qualifies him to wrestle for the title. When did WWE change the rules to if you steal the title or proclaim that you deserve a title you get a title shot? I must’ve missed that memo. That means EVERYBODY should be getting a shot at a title, right? Again, WWE, great job. NOT!!

This is going to be such a quick overview. The Raw after Breaking Point Miz and Swagger teamed up to go against Kofi and Primo. Towards the end of the match Miz stole the US title, distracting Kofi so his team could win. The next week on Raw as Miz was being interviewed before his match with Evan Bourne, Kofi attacked him and took back his title. Later on, Kofi had a match with Swagger, which ended in a no contest because Miz came out to steal the title again. However, Swagger stopped him and took it for himself. Then on Raw on Sept. 25th Swagger faced off against Bourne and won. After the match he says he’s going to become the All-American American US Champion (try saying that five times fast). Miz then comes out and says he’s going to be the next US Champion. Well the egos collide with Swagger attacking Miz. As they fought Kofi came out to take back his title. It’s like a freakin’ game of hot potato. Lastly, on the Oct. 1st episode of WWE Superstars Kofi defeated Miz in a match, but Swagger came out afterwards to attack both men.

Kofi’s definitely going to win this match. The egotistical Miz and over-confident Swagger really don’t deserve the title in my eyes since they really haven’t proven themselves. Plus, they’re going to knock each other out to prove who’s better, which will give Kofi an easy win over these two bozos.

In the end, Kofi retains. The end of the match was pretty incredible, though. Swagger hit a Gutwrench powerbomb on Miz. Kofi hit the Trouble in Paradise on Swagger, but covered Miz. This isn’t over, either, so we might just see this feud go into Survivor Series. Hopefully not, but we might.

Finally, we come to our main event of the night…

DX vs. Legacy in a Hell in a Cell:

Unbelievable! Hunter really couldn’t handle the fact that he wasn’t main eventing at the PPVs so they make this the last match of the night instead of CM Punk vs. ‘Taker. Really sad.

So after Breaking Point, Legacy came out on Raw to gloat about the fact they made DX tap. “Are you ready…to welcome the dawning of a new era in WWE?” They stated that they aren’t known as the sons of Dusty Rhodes and the Million Dollar Man, but that they are the fathers of Legacy. LOVE IT!! Later on, Ted went against Shawn, but it ended in a no contest when Triple H attacked Cody and an all out brawl waged on throughout the arena. On the Sept. 21st Raw, Triple H went against Cody. This one ended in a DQ when they attacked Shawn throwing him onto the announcer’s table then hitting Hunter with a chair.

Finally, on the Sept. 28th Raw, Legacy came out showing a lot of respect by admitting that Hunter and Shawn are the best, but they will be the ones who end their careers. Then you hear Shawn saying, “BORING!” The cameras find them in a luxury box. Hunters says that Legacy is like a butt; not as much the cheeks, but the part in the middle. Sorry, I need to stop for one second to say one thing. You have Cody and Ted who are in their mid-twenties showing respect towards DX. You have Hunter and Shawn who are in their forties calling Legacy a butt. Who are the mature ones here? I rest my case.

Hunter continues by comparing himself and Shawn to David Banner and the Incredible Hulk. When Banner changes into the monster he doesn’t like it, but when they let their monsters out they love it. They went to go attack Legacy, but they ran.

Like I mentioned in my last post I think DX needs to end, but I LOVE this feud. The build for it is amazing. I love the fact that two rookies are being brought up and they’re really shining bright. I also love that they’re slowly cutting ties with Orton to be on their own. It’s kind of like Batista and Orton in Evolution. It was great that they were a part of it so their names could become well-known. Once they did they broke away and now they’re huge. I can totally see that happening for Cody and Ted; I really hope it does, too. I really want Legacy to win yet with Hunter and Shawn’s experience in the cell they’ll most likely prevail.

In the end, DX won after a pretty darn good match. The torture sequence went on longer than it should, but some of the things Legacy did to Shawn were brutal. I mean Ted’s dropkick to Shawn’s face while Cody held a chair there was painful. Unfortunately, I think this might be the end to this amazing feud. Hopefully, I’m wrong on that my fellow wrestling fanatics.

Thanks everybody for reading and I hope you enjoyed. I want to thank really quickly everybody who has been sending me comments (especially Donna and Issac!!). I really appreciate what you guys have said. I hope you continue to enjoy my blog and leaving comments so it can continue to get better. If you would like to send a comment or talk about wrestling you can e-mail me at wrestlingchick19@gmail.com. I would love to hear what you guys think so please don't hesitate to get in contact with me. Thanks again!

Much love and "Have a nice day!".