SPOILER WARNING - IF YOU DON'T WANT THE RESULTS RUINED, DO NOT READ ON.
If you've never seen The CC Network's video reviews of WWE events before, my review system that I use for those as well as these blogs will be new to you. Matches are given star ratings in accordance with an average, accumulated score of five rating factors: Psychology (in-ring story), Move Variety, Crowd Reaction, Match Length and Pacing, as well as my overall enjoyment as a result of those factors.
THERE WILL BE NO ACCOMPANYING VIDEO DUE TO MY CURRENT HIATUS FROM UPLOADING NON-FRIDAY FLASHBACK REVIEWS TO THE CHANNEL.
Now time to get into the show. As I don't review the Pre-Show Match as part of the whole televised package, here's the result of that match:
Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado & Sin Cara def Tony Nese, Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari in a 6-Man Tag Team Match (9:41)
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ROMAN REIGNS (c) def RUSEV IN A HELL IN A CELL MATCH TO RETAIN THE WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP (24:36)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2
ROMAN REIGNS (c) def RUSEV IN A HELL IN A CELL MATCH TO RETAIN THE WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP (24:36)
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 1.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1
CORRECT PREDICTION: NO
FINAL RATING: *
People wonder what types of Cell bouts have caused the Hell In A Cell match to lose all credibility, I would say that Roman Reigns versus Rusev is a definition of the type. It was a match that already had its feud backwards, with Rusev portrayed a face role more than Reigns was just on attitude alone, and while considering the intensity the feud had over the last four months, this match made some sense, seeing it play out inside the Cell wasn't as rewarding as one would expect.
To be blunt, Reigns got brutalised in this match. He was hit with canes, the steel steps, rammed into the cell from all matter of angle, got his drive-by countered into a clothesline and had an Accolade applied on the steel steps WITH A CHAIN. All that would put any wrestler down, and get rightful vengeance for Rusev considering what Roman has done. Instead, Roman fought off this punishment, showing no signs of selling and won the match anyway. The story and hard-hitting nature of this match, supposed to build suspense and dread was almost non existent. Considering that Roman's protective vest neutered any and every weapon shot, that's understandable, but it's more how quickly the momentum shifted that made this match's sequences while flowing well lack a purpose and feel entirely unessecary. The crowd, who were pro-Rusev seemed to agree too, where outside of a Rusev's weapon usage and the occasional feigned table usage didn't do much to add fuel to the fire that needed to be lit to bring the match to life. Alongside that, this was a match where I suspected both men would want to kill each other, and based on the steady pace and lack of intensity on offer, the match became entirely frustrating, to the point where all of Rusev's efforts to sell his anger, frustration, desire and pain all really went to nothing, all in the want for Reigns to look strong. While the pace fit both mens ring styles and allowed them to keep the match going and not lose tact entirely, it reached its peak too late and should've ended sooner, as the longer it went on, it made the atmosphere worse. While I did like Rusev's prolonged periods of dominance from time to time, it wasn't kept enough or sold enough for me to care.
This match did have its moments, and picked up speed, but to have this match go longer than every match on the card with not too much to report on means it was nowhere near the aggressive and violent brawl I or many were expecting. Instead, it was a match that took a LOT of time to build itself up for a climax that didn't matter. While I usually can let Reigns no selling slide due to how he at least TRIES in other scenarios to give it a go when a big move hits, this match is one where it killed all immersion and suspension of disbelief and as a result made me question whether the drugs he got popped on a few months back were once again in his blood stream, because there was no way after what he went through, he should've won that comfortably. I will give him credit for selling the shoulder after time though, that's where I will give him some credit for following protocol. This match hit the barest of minimums, but honestly, if not for some horrible booking it could've been better and much more well received than what we got.
BAYLEY def DANA BROOKE (6:27)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2.5
People wonder what types of Cell bouts have caused the Hell In A Cell match to lose all credibility, I would say that Roman Reigns versus Rusev is a definition of the type. It was a match that already had its feud backwards, with Rusev portrayed a face role more than Reigns was just on attitude alone, and while considering the intensity the feud had over the last four months, this match made some sense, seeing it play out inside the Cell wasn't as rewarding as one would expect.
To be blunt, Reigns got brutalised in this match. He was hit with canes, the steel steps, rammed into the cell from all matter of angle, got his drive-by countered into a clothesline and had an Accolade applied on the steel steps WITH A CHAIN. All that would put any wrestler down, and get rightful vengeance for Rusev considering what Roman has done. Instead, Roman fought off this punishment, showing no signs of selling and won the match anyway. The story and hard-hitting nature of this match, supposed to build suspense and dread was almost non existent. Considering that Roman's protective vest neutered any and every weapon shot, that's understandable, but it's more how quickly the momentum shifted that made this match's sequences while flowing well lack a purpose and feel entirely unessecary. The crowd, who were pro-Rusev seemed to agree too, where outside of a Rusev's weapon usage and the occasional feigned table usage didn't do much to add fuel to the fire that needed to be lit to bring the match to life. Alongside that, this was a match where I suspected both men would want to kill each other, and based on the steady pace and lack of intensity on offer, the match became entirely frustrating, to the point where all of Rusev's efforts to sell his anger, frustration, desire and pain all really went to nothing, all in the want for Reigns to look strong. While the pace fit both mens ring styles and allowed them to keep the match going and not lose tact entirely, it reached its peak too late and should've ended sooner, as the longer it went on, it made the atmosphere worse. While I did like Rusev's prolonged periods of dominance from time to time, it wasn't kept enough or sold enough for me to care.
This match did have its moments, and picked up speed, but to have this match go longer than every match on the card with not too much to report on means it was nowhere near the aggressive and violent brawl I or many were expecting. Instead, it was a match that took a LOT of time to build itself up for a climax that didn't matter. While I usually can let Reigns no selling slide due to how he at least TRIES in other scenarios to give it a go when a big move hits, this match is one where it killed all immersion and suspension of disbelief and as a result made me question whether the drugs he got popped on a few months back were once again in his blood stream, because there was no way after what he went through, he should've won that comfortably. I will give him credit for selling the shoulder after time though, that's where I will give him some credit for following protocol. This match hit the barest of minimums, but honestly, if not for some horrible booking it could've been better and much more well received than what we got.
BAYLEY def DANA BROOKE (6:27)
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 1
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 1.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 2
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: *1/4
Dana Brooke and Bayley's feud while natural considering how it splintered off from Charlotte and Sasha's, didn't seem on television to hit the right mark. Whether it was because everyone hates Dana, or can't get into Bayley's stilted moveset yet fun gimmick is beyond me. I'm the biggest fan of Bayley around, but pairing one awkward mic worker and solid but not great in-ring worker with another didn't make for the most entertaining television. On PPV however, having the story of one-upmanship and power complex come through was just what this event needed following the Hell In A Cell Match that came before it.
Dana's immediate and continued targeting of Bayley's injured arm throughout the match was a joy to watch, with her showing more intensity than Reigns or Rusev did for most of their near twenty-five minute bout. She showed great pleasure in breaking down Bayley, berating her and reminding her who is the dominant woman in this feud and it played out greatly, with Bayley selling well too. The match went at a slow but steady pace with infrequent offence from Bayley speeding things up when needed to give it some flow and keep it going. Dana also showed off some nice moves with a handstand foot choke in the corner and an arm and leg back wrench being the highlights. While I can praise Dana all the way for what she added to this match, the crowd weren't into it. They were silent for long periods, waiting for momentum to shift and see Bayley fight back like we know she can. When it did eventually happen, they still didn't care as it made no sense considering how little offence the Doctor Of Huganomics got leading up to it, with her eventual win being anti-climactic rather than joyous, which what I think WWE were going for.
While I did enjoy this match from a storytelling standpoint, and showing that when the circumstances are right, Dana Brooke has potential, once you peel that away the match has little to stand on. It had just enough to be something watchable but went too quick for what went on to have its conclusion make any semblance of sense. If not for what the match offered in story making me want to watch, we'd be looking and a below one star contest. However, I'm happy that a match I thought would stink proved to be more than I expected. It may have been predictable, but they did what was nessecary to make its story and Dana Brooke look good considering how apathetic the crowd have been to it on RAW and this night. It may not have been too good to have my praise stretch further, but I will give both women credit for trying, and that's all I ask.
Dana Brooke and Bayley's feud while natural considering how it splintered off from Charlotte and Sasha's, didn't seem on television to hit the right mark. Whether it was because everyone hates Dana, or can't get into Bayley's stilted moveset yet fun gimmick is beyond me. I'm the biggest fan of Bayley around, but pairing one awkward mic worker and solid but not great in-ring worker with another didn't make for the most entertaining television. On PPV however, having the story of one-upmanship and power complex come through was just what this event needed following the Hell In A Cell Match that came before it.
Dana's immediate and continued targeting of Bayley's injured arm throughout the match was a joy to watch, with her showing more intensity than Reigns or Rusev did for most of their near twenty-five minute bout. She showed great pleasure in breaking down Bayley, berating her and reminding her who is the dominant woman in this feud and it played out greatly, with Bayley selling well too. The match went at a slow but steady pace with infrequent offence from Bayley speeding things up when needed to give it some flow and keep it going. Dana also showed off some nice moves with a handstand foot choke in the corner and an arm and leg back wrench being the highlights. While I can praise Dana all the way for what she added to this match, the crowd weren't into it. They were silent for long periods, waiting for momentum to shift and see Bayley fight back like we know she can. When it did eventually happen, they still didn't care as it made no sense considering how little offence the Doctor Of Huganomics got leading up to it, with her eventual win being anti-climactic rather than joyous, which what I think WWE were going for.
While I did enjoy this match from a storytelling standpoint, and showing that when the circumstances are right, Dana Brooke has potential, once you peel that away the match has little to stand on. It had just enough to be something watchable but went too quick for what went on to have its conclusion make any semblance of sense. If not for what the match offered in story making me want to watch, we'd be looking and a below one star contest. However, I'm happy that a match I thought would stink proved to be more than I expected. It may have been predictable, but they did what was nessecary to make its story and Dana Brooke look good considering how apathetic the crowd have been to it on RAW and this night. It may not have been too good to have my praise stretch further, but I will give both women credit for trying, and that's all I ask.
KARL ANDERSON AND LUKE GALLOWS def ENZO & BIG CASS (6:45)
PSYCHOLOGY: 1.5
For a match involving two teams who are polar opposites and really hate each other, I first have to ask why it didn't feel more intense than it did? Even more, I have to ask how Gallows & Anderson, via winning, look WEAKER than they were going into it? Well, when looking at this match in in-depth, it's easy to see why.
From the moment their Enzo & Cass's protracted but occasionally funny opening promo ended, the interest in the match died while their opponents got to the ring, which isn't surprising. To see Enzo and Cass go right for their opponents and overwhelm them, I again see no problem, they're almost in a second home and used their quick offence to rally the crowd behind them, insulting Gallows on the apron in the process. That's all good, but it's also where the match's good points end. Once Gallows & Anderson got ahold of proceedings and took momentum in their favour, the match nosedived. While I can appreciate the former Club heavy's move sets and devastating moves, seeing other teams be decimated by them for long periods only to recover and win means their offence has little to no impact, and while Enzo got decimated, Cass didn't seem phased and made these two agile yet strong competitors not have the BITE that their offence deserved. While the pace was kept consitent, momentum shifted slowly, while trying to enhance the dominance of Gallows & Anderson, didn't help them either way as the crowd while occasionally loud still don't appreciate the methodical ground game that accents their hard hitting strike and grapple game, which made the match feel slower than it should have. While Cass was disposed of, and Enzo pinned to give Gallows & Anderson their first PPV win in a while, they didn't look like they deserved it because Enzo and Cass were looking stronger going forward in the bout, which made me feel like that win was undeserved. If you look back to their Clash Of Champions clash with New Day, they dominated and lost, which as mentioned earlier ruined their credibility, so winning with not as much going on doesn't help matters much.
Overall, what's important is that Gallows & Anderson DID manage to pick up the win, with Enzo and Cass driving the match forward with good use of pace, crowd and psychology. However, when looking at the match as a whole, it went a little short and didn't give itself the time to mature, with an extra four or five minutes needed for a story to properly grow from it. The match's small parts when summed together have the potential for something good, but just didn't do enough to warrant much and as a result, it's another undercard bout that fails to deliver on itself, something of a running gag at this point and not something this event wants to hold.
KEVIN OWENS (c) def SETH ROLLINS IN A HELL IN A CELL MATCH TO RETAIN THE WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP (23:10)
PSYCHOLOGY: 3.5
Kevin Owens in a Hell In A Cell Match? Take all of my money. Owens taking on Seth Rollins' inside the Cell? Rob me at gunpoint why don't you. This was a match that on paper was going to be good regardless of outcome and in all fairness had the bitter rivalry to go with it. The Cell also had a purpose for this bout, to keep Chris Jericho out to ensure Rollins got a fair crack at Owens. All makes sense in love and cell-based warfare and through some ingenuity and some good spots, this match managed to live up to its billing and be a match worthy of main eventing any show, yet be in the mid-card here.
With Owens hurting Rollins' back last week, you'd think that would be the main story point of the match, you'd be wrong for about 50% of it, with the bout having half of its time going towards said back injury and Rollins' use of endurance to fight the pain, while the rest was solely focused on Chris Jericho's part in proceedings. Owens may have played cowardly early in showing apparent fear at a resurgent Rollins coming at him but it worked as a ploy to leave him open to be beaten down and have that back targeted whenever possible, with Owens taunting down at him like the true heel he is. He hit his Running Senton Splash onto the back, ripped the protective tape off and hit his cannonball into the cell wall, pushing the back into it, all with Rollins wincing and holding in periods as the endurance he built up after suffering his near career-ending knee injury came into effect allowing him to get back into the match. This first portion of the match was quick at times but methodical and slow enough to allow the intensity to come through and allow Owens' destruction to resonate. The crowd were hot for Rollins at the start but with Owens having momentum, they were a little absent and quiet as they watched their hero being picked apart, at times clapping out of respect at how resolute he was. Once momentum finally shifted to Rollins, Owens cleverly used a fire extinguisher on the referee allowing the cell to be unlocked and giving Jericho the chance to get in and lock the door. While it meant that Rollins' amped up the pace with some great moves and spots, with the Falcon Arrow on the apron and the Powerbomb through the tables got the crowd on their feet, the punishment of earlier started to finally show on Rollins as he couldn't get the pin with Jericho pulling the referee out of the ring even after being incapacitated by a Pedigree. Rollins, not selling the back, kicked out of a Pop-Up Powerbomb, in a dramatic moment before the power game of the dynamic duo set in, and with a powerbomb through two chairs, Owens came out on top, looking strong even with assistance with the crowd buzzing after what they'd witnessed.
The story of the match, the varied moves and great crowd reaction gave this match a big time feel while the pace fluctuating kept things flowing consistently alongside the good amount of time it had to build, to give this match the true devastating feel that a Hell In A Cell match needed. While at times Rollins wasn't selling his back ruined the feel of the pre-match storyline, Jericho's involvement by some great ingenuity by Owens meant it didn't feel forced and made up for whenever Rollins' end of the bargain wasn't holding up. The match needed say one or two big variant moves and more use of the cell to put its rating near four star territory, but all in all this match was the booster in quality the event needed, and it came just at the right time, halfway into the shows card.
BRIAN KENDRICK def TJ PERKINS (c) TO WIN THE WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10:30)
PSYCHOLOGY: 1.5
FINAL RATING: 1/2
It's safe to say that the Cruiserweight Division while providing us with some new talent to an already burgeoning Monday Night roster hasn't been used to its full potential, it's matches while athletically sound have been lacking a sense of importance, something has made the crowd apathetic to their talents and made any match feel underwhelming, including its main title feud which while being a decent affair at Clash Of Champions has burnt out a month later to where Brian Kendrick's title victory didn't have the impact it was meant to.
This title rematch was had a story that made no sense going in (why would Kendrick want Perkins to lay down for him when he's bested the champion week after week), so when push came to shove, the momentum was never really there. When you combine the crowd not caring due to the slower pace and less 'impressive' move set that was present in the 6-Man Cruiserweight opener and you get a match that was never going to live up to the pleasant bout that came a month before. It was one that went on for too long with much happening, and a botched wrist tape/rope wrapping spot that failed instantly the minute Perkins' tried to move, which instead of empowering the wiley Kendrick made his skills come into question and make the lean Perkins look stronger than many would expect. Even with its quality looking suspect, we did see some fluid move sequences and momentum shifting to allow both men to look equal and a nice bridging back suplex from Kendrick coming out of a wheelbarrow position was a nice treat, while the facade of Kendrick's knee problems playing to the sportsmanlike sensibility that Perkins holds allowing a cunning Kendrick to come out winning by being a devious cheat rather than hold legitimacy like he did in their prior PPV bout.
This was a match that should've been a more energetic one highlighted Perkin's determination and allowed Kendrick to thrive and showcase his ring awareness. While that was the plan, it didn't come off smoothly and desended into a match that with crowd apathy following Owens and Rollins' efforts and without the 'kicks and flips' being prominent, was to doom it without much thought. While it had minute glimpses of what was planned to make the match enthralling, seeing these two go at it on screen week after week and poor card placement meant it was tired and out of breath before getting out of the gate, which is disappointing to say the least. Imagine if this was on after Reigns VS Rusev, it would've done much better than what we got.
CESARO & SHEAMUS def THE NEW DAY (c) by DISQUALIFICATION, THE NEW DAY RETAIN THE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (11:19)
PSYCHOLOGY: 1.5
The New Day's lack of credible opponents on the RAW roster is now staunchly apparent, the notion that they must look strong even in the most random of defeats doesn't help them, in fact it makes the most important and defining period of their title reign look weaker by comparison. While the team of Cesaro and Sheamus had been entertaining to watch in seeing how their fractured tandem would survive going into the match, seeing them defeat their PPV opponents a week before the show was a negative move as this match unlike its RAW counterpart had no pulse and didn't seem to WANT to progress to something good regardless of the action within it.
To say that this match was a stilted and undignified mess would be cruel on the five competitors within it, but seeing as it started off with a Xavier Woods hurricanrana botch and failed to rally forward from it, is endemic of its lack of quality. While Cesaro and Sheamus shrugged off of tags, the apparent dissension that festered backstage prior to the match wasn't there once the bell rung, make the crowd not have a reason to really care, when you combine that with a sluggish pace and minimal offence that we have become accustomed to from all competitors, the match came across as one that wasn't a 'struck lightening twice' venture that I'm sure that RAW's creative team wanted it to be. While I'm being quite critical on this match, the end was actually the contest's only shining moment by having Sheamus hit Cesaro with a Brogue Kick and the resulting melee coming from a disqualification amped up the frustration the two winning parties already had and it makes many question how, who and when New Day will lose, considering they could barely come out of this match with their dignity. While many will criticise this finish as uninspired, it brought heat onto New Day as Demolition's record edges closer and makes their opponents have an even more volatile relationship that could explode in Mick Foley's face on RAW tonight.
However, this match outside of that moment was nothing more than a standard throwaway RAW match that didn't produce any real excitement. This should be a lesson to RAW's creative team, don't give away a match on free TV SIX DAYS before a major show, because not only did you put on the better match one week ago, but you sucked this match of all of its life because we'd already seen it done better. All in all this match shouldn't have scored this rating, but it did because of ineptitude on WWE's part, amplified by its placing in the spot before the main event, where the crowd were barely going to muster anything as they were saving themselves for the Women's Cell Match instead. WWE, next time, think things through and you'll come out with more than a ZERO for your efforts.
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 2
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 1.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 1
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: 3/4
FINAL RATING: 3/4
For a match involving two teams who are polar opposites and really hate each other, I first have to ask why it didn't feel more intense than it did? Even more, I have to ask how Gallows & Anderson, via winning, look WEAKER than they were going into it? Well, when looking at this match in in-depth, it's easy to see why.
From the moment their Enzo & Cass's protracted but occasionally funny opening promo ended, the interest in the match died while their opponents got to the ring, which isn't surprising. To see Enzo and Cass go right for their opponents and overwhelm them, I again see no problem, they're almost in a second home and used their quick offence to rally the crowd behind them, insulting Gallows on the apron in the process. That's all good, but it's also where the match's good points end. Once Gallows & Anderson got ahold of proceedings and took momentum in their favour, the match nosedived. While I can appreciate the former Club heavy's move sets and devastating moves, seeing other teams be decimated by them for long periods only to recover and win means their offence has little to no impact, and while Enzo got decimated, Cass didn't seem phased and made these two agile yet strong competitors not have the BITE that their offence deserved. While the pace was kept consitent, momentum shifted slowly, while trying to enhance the dominance of Gallows & Anderson, didn't help them either way as the crowd while occasionally loud still don't appreciate the methodical ground game that accents their hard hitting strike and grapple game, which made the match feel slower than it should have. While Cass was disposed of, and Enzo pinned to give Gallows & Anderson their first PPV win in a while, they didn't look like they deserved it because Enzo and Cass were looking stronger going forward in the bout, which made me feel like that win was undeserved. If you look back to their Clash Of Champions clash with New Day, they dominated and lost, which as mentioned earlier ruined their credibility, so winning with not as much going on doesn't help matters much.
Overall, what's important is that Gallows & Anderson DID manage to pick up the win, with Enzo and Cass driving the match forward with good use of pace, crowd and psychology. However, when looking at the match as a whole, it went a little short and didn't give itself the time to mature, with an extra four or five minutes needed for a story to properly grow from it. The match's small parts when summed together have the potential for something good, but just didn't do enough to warrant much and as a result, it's another undercard bout that fails to deliver on itself, something of a running gag at this point and not something this event wants to hold.
KEVIN OWENS (c) def SETH ROLLINS IN A HELL IN A CELL MATCH TO RETAIN THE WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP (23:10)
MOVE VARIETY: 2.5
CROWD REACTION: 3
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 4
MY ENJOYMENT: 3.5
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: ***1/2
FINAL RATING: ***1/2
Kevin Owens in a Hell In A Cell Match? Take all of my money. Owens taking on Seth Rollins' inside the Cell? Rob me at gunpoint why don't you. This was a match that on paper was going to be good regardless of outcome and in all fairness had the bitter rivalry to go with it. The Cell also had a purpose for this bout, to keep Chris Jericho out to ensure Rollins got a fair crack at Owens. All makes sense in love and cell-based warfare and through some ingenuity and some good spots, this match managed to live up to its billing and be a match worthy of main eventing any show, yet be in the mid-card here.
With Owens hurting Rollins' back last week, you'd think that would be the main story point of the match, you'd be wrong for about 50% of it, with the bout having half of its time going towards said back injury and Rollins' use of endurance to fight the pain, while the rest was solely focused on Chris Jericho's part in proceedings. Owens may have played cowardly early in showing apparent fear at a resurgent Rollins coming at him but it worked as a ploy to leave him open to be beaten down and have that back targeted whenever possible, with Owens taunting down at him like the true heel he is. He hit his Running Senton Splash onto the back, ripped the protective tape off and hit his cannonball into the cell wall, pushing the back into it, all with Rollins wincing and holding in periods as the endurance he built up after suffering his near career-ending knee injury came into effect allowing him to get back into the match. This first portion of the match was quick at times but methodical and slow enough to allow the intensity to come through and allow Owens' destruction to resonate. The crowd were hot for Rollins at the start but with Owens having momentum, they were a little absent and quiet as they watched their hero being picked apart, at times clapping out of respect at how resolute he was. Once momentum finally shifted to Rollins, Owens cleverly used a fire extinguisher on the referee allowing the cell to be unlocked and giving Jericho the chance to get in and lock the door. While it meant that Rollins' amped up the pace with some great moves and spots, with the Falcon Arrow on the apron and the Powerbomb through the tables got the crowd on their feet, the punishment of earlier started to finally show on Rollins as he couldn't get the pin with Jericho pulling the referee out of the ring even after being incapacitated by a Pedigree. Rollins, not selling the back, kicked out of a Pop-Up Powerbomb, in a dramatic moment before the power game of the dynamic duo set in, and with a powerbomb through two chairs, Owens came out on top, looking strong even with assistance with the crowd buzzing after what they'd witnessed.
The story of the match, the varied moves and great crowd reaction gave this match a big time feel while the pace fluctuating kept things flowing consistently alongside the good amount of time it had to build, to give this match the true devastating feel that a Hell In A Cell match needed. While at times Rollins wasn't selling his back ruined the feel of the pre-match storyline, Jericho's involvement by some great ingenuity by Owens meant it didn't feel forced and made up for whenever Rollins' end of the bargain wasn't holding up. The match needed say one or two big variant moves and more use of the cell to put its rating near four star territory, but all in all this match was the booster in quality the event needed, and it came just at the right time, halfway into the shows card.
BRIAN KENDRICK def TJ PERKINS (c) TO WIN THE WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10:30)
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 1
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: 1/2
It's safe to say that the Cruiserweight Division while providing us with some new talent to an already burgeoning Monday Night roster hasn't been used to its full potential, it's matches while athletically sound have been lacking a sense of importance, something has made the crowd apathetic to their talents and made any match feel underwhelming, including its main title feud which while being a decent affair at Clash Of Champions has burnt out a month later to where Brian Kendrick's title victory didn't have the impact it was meant to.
This title rematch was had a story that made no sense going in (why would Kendrick want Perkins to lay down for him when he's bested the champion week after week), so when push came to shove, the momentum was never really there. When you combine the crowd not caring due to the slower pace and less 'impressive' move set that was present in the 6-Man Cruiserweight opener and you get a match that was never going to live up to the pleasant bout that came a month before. It was one that went on for too long with much happening, and a botched wrist tape/rope wrapping spot that failed instantly the minute Perkins' tried to move, which instead of empowering the wiley Kendrick made his skills come into question and make the lean Perkins look stronger than many would expect. Even with its quality looking suspect, we did see some fluid move sequences and momentum shifting to allow both men to look equal and a nice bridging back suplex from Kendrick coming out of a wheelbarrow position was a nice treat, while the facade of Kendrick's knee problems playing to the sportsmanlike sensibility that Perkins holds allowing a cunning Kendrick to come out winning by being a devious cheat rather than hold legitimacy like he did in their prior PPV bout.
This was a match that should've been a more energetic one highlighted Perkin's determination and allowed Kendrick to thrive and showcase his ring awareness. While that was the plan, it didn't come off smoothly and desended into a match that with crowd apathy following Owens and Rollins' efforts and without the 'kicks and flips' being prominent, was to doom it without much thought. While it had minute glimpses of what was planned to make the match enthralling, seeing these two go at it on screen week after week and poor card placement meant it was tired and out of breath before getting out of the gate, which is disappointing to say the least. Imagine if this was on after Reigns VS Rusev, it would've done much better than what we got.
CESARO & SHEAMUS def THE NEW DAY (c) by DISQUALIFICATION, THE NEW DAY RETAIN THE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (11:19)
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 1
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 1
MY ENJOYMENT: 1
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: ZERO
FINAL RATING: ZERO
The New Day's lack of credible opponents on the RAW roster is now staunchly apparent, the notion that they must look strong even in the most random of defeats doesn't help them, in fact it makes the most important and defining period of their title reign look weaker by comparison. While the team of Cesaro and Sheamus had been entertaining to watch in seeing how their fractured tandem would survive going into the match, seeing them defeat their PPV opponents a week before the show was a negative move as this match unlike its RAW counterpart had no pulse and didn't seem to WANT to progress to something good regardless of the action within it.
To say that this match was a stilted and undignified mess would be cruel on the five competitors within it, but seeing as it started off with a Xavier Woods hurricanrana botch and failed to rally forward from it, is endemic of its lack of quality. While Cesaro and Sheamus shrugged off of tags, the apparent dissension that festered backstage prior to the match wasn't there once the bell rung, make the crowd not have a reason to really care, when you combine that with a sluggish pace and minimal offence that we have become accustomed to from all competitors, the match came across as one that wasn't a 'struck lightening twice' venture that I'm sure that RAW's creative team wanted it to be. While I'm being quite critical on this match, the end was actually the contest's only shining moment by having Sheamus hit Cesaro with a Brogue Kick and the resulting melee coming from a disqualification amped up the frustration the two winning parties already had and it makes many question how, who and when New Day will lose, considering they could barely come out of this match with their dignity. While many will criticise this finish as uninspired, it brought heat onto New Day as Demolition's record edges closer and makes their opponents have an even more volatile relationship that could explode in Mick Foley's face on RAW tonight.
However, this match outside of that moment was nothing more than a standard throwaway RAW match that didn't produce any real excitement. This should be a lesson to RAW's creative team, don't give away a match on free TV SIX DAYS before a major show, because not only did you put on the better match one week ago, but you sucked this match of all of its life because we'd already seen it done better. All in all this match shouldn't have scored this rating, but it did because of ineptitude on WWE's part, amplified by its placing in the spot before the main event, where the crowd were barely going to muster anything as they were saving themselves for the Women's Cell Match instead. WWE, next time, think things through and you'll come out with more than a ZERO for your efforts.
CHARLOTTE FLAIR def SASHA BANKS (c) IN A HELL IN A CELL MATCH TO WIN THE RAW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP (19:50)
PSYCHOLOGY: 4
The first time Women main evented a PPV show, and were inside the Hell In A Cell. To say that means this match is historic before any bell rang, with both of these women coming out with entrances to match the occasion. As the Cell matches of earlier in the night ramped up the intensity and violence as the match went on, it became apparent that this one would have to rival some of the Cell's greatest bouts in order to succeed. I can say, that even though it didn't take too many risks, it sure managed to make itself a memorable and exhilarating contest.
With Charlotte's attack and subsequent powerbomb of Sasha through the announce table before the bell had even rang, we got a protracted but lovely story-building segment were 'The Boss' was nearly carted out on a stretcher only for her to get back in the ring and refuse help. Once the bell finally rung, all hell broke loose as these two long-term rivals tried to kill each other. This was a fight, not a wrestling match and it came through beautifully with the sheer risks these two were taking, with every move being reacted to with trepidation by the commentators and watching audience. While not all moves came off with two botched table spots ruining the flow and feel of the match as a whole, the addition of chairs and unique usage of the cell wall with a spiderman grab and leap by Sasha and a monkey flip into the wall by Charlotte exercising this matches simple barbarism. The addition of chairs to the match made it worse, with a side walk slam reminiscent of HBK VS Triple H from SummerSlam 2002 making Sasha's battered back even worse than it was before. Sasha also used the chairs intuitively, with a double knee turnbuckle press into one and getting out of the Figure 8 with a chair to the chest. No matter what Sasha did, Charlotte fought back even harder, emphasising that these two were not only equally goof, but equally passionate and it gave this match a flavour of unpredictability that the fans ate up. Momentum shifted all over the place and the pace kept consistent despite occasional stoppages with Charlotte targeting the injured back with every move she got, and while Sasha got back into it, a turnbuckle table spot failed and one Natural Selection later, Charlotte's unbeaten PPV record remained in tact.
While the finish was unexpected and out of place, the rest of the match minus the table botches was great and it built greatly as the time went on. Considering the pre-amble took up nearly TEN MINUTES, this match could've easily been longest match of the night and in my opinion should've had the bell rung anyway just to make it have more impact and go even longer to build the drama naturally rather than have the matches' beginning feel forced. While at times the risks taken didn't pay off, Sasha's selling was so good, I couldn't tell if she was legit hurt. All in all, this was the type of ferocious match that the event needed and it showed that the women could tell a better story than most of the men in what was a stellar contest of endurance and physicality that did exactly what it needed to do, it kept Charlotte strong while Sasha came out of it looking like a badass. While it didn't go upwards of its four star mark due to those botches, it could've been much more, but to have it rank as the best main roster women's match I've ever seen, I could think of no better accolade for it to get.
MOVE VARIETY: 3
CROWD REACTION: 4
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 4
MY ENJOYMENT: 4
CORRECT PREDICTION: NO
FINAL RATING: ****
FINAL RATING: ****
The first time Women main evented a PPV show, and were inside the Hell In A Cell. To say that means this match is historic before any bell rang, with both of these women coming out with entrances to match the occasion. As the Cell matches of earlier in the night ramped up the intensity and violence as the match went on, it became apparent that this one would have to rival some of the Cell's greatest bouts in order to succeed. I can say, that even though it didn't take too many risks, it sure managed to make itself a memorable and exhilarating contest.
With Charlotte's attack and subsequent powerbomb of Sasha through the announce table before the bell had even rang, we got a protracted but lovely story-building segment were 'The Boss' was nearly carted out on a stretcher only for her to get back in the ring and refuse help. Once the bell finally rung, all hell broke loose as these two long-term rivals tried to kill each other. This was a fight, not a wrestling match and it came through beautifully with the sheer risks these two were taking, with every move being reacted to with trepidation by the commentators and watching audience. While not all moves came off with two botched table spots ruining the flow and feel of the match as a whole, the addition of chairs and unique usage of the cell wall with a spiderman grab and leap by Sasha and a monkey flip into the wall by Charlotte exercising this matches simple barbarism. The addition of chairs to the match made it worse, with a side walk slam reminiscent of HBK VS Triple H from SummerSlam 2002 making Sasha's battered back even worse than it was before. Sasha also used the chairs intuitively, with a double knee turnbuckle press into one and getting out of the Figure 8 with a chair to the chest. No matter what Sasha did, Charlotte fought back even harder, emphasising that these two were not only equally goof, but equally passionate and it gave this match a flavour of unpredictability that the fans ate up. Momentum shifted all over the place and the pace kept consistent despite occasional stoppages with Charlotte targeting the injured back with every move she got, and while Sasha got back into it, a turnbuckle table spot failed and one Natural Selection later, Charlotte's unbeaten PPV record remained in tact.
While the finish was unexpected and out of place, the rest of the match minus the table botches was great and it built greatly as the time went on. Considering the pre-amble took up nearly TEN MINUTES, this match could've easily been longest match of the night and in my opinion should've had the bell rung anyway just to make it have more impact and go even longer to build the drama naturally rather than have the matches' beginning feel forced. While at times the risks taken didn't pay off, Sasha's selling was so good, I couldn't tell if she was legit hurt. All in all, this was the type of ferocious match that the event needed and it showed that the women could tell a better story than most of the men in what was a stellar contest of endurance and physicality that did exactly what it needed to do, it kept Charlotte strong while Sasha came out of it looking like a badass. While it didn't go upwards of its four star mark due to those botches, it could've been much more, but to have it rank as the best main roster women's match I've ever seen, I could think of no better accolade for it to get.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Considering No Mercy's poor performance, I was expecting this show to ramp up pressure on the blue brand and showcase RAW's talent pool under stipulation could deliver the goods. I'm sad to say, that outside of two of the 'Triple Main Event' matches, the card stunk and its quality declines rapidly as a result.
While having a four and three and a half star match respectively on the card is great and gives it some breathing room, the rest of the undercard including the other part of the 'Triple Main Event' felt unbelievably flat, with the undercard showcasing massive issues in regards to story building on the weekly show, because without the flames burning to give them life, the matches as in-ring contests didn't have anything to get this Boston crowd excited and as a result, have me at home wondering how matches with good wrestlers in them could disappoint and leave me questioning how a three-hour show could struggle to build these matches up right? When you combine the match placement on the card occasionally not working and some matches going shorter than nessecary to accommodate the Hell In A Cell matches, the event at times felt rushed and lacking cohesion, which resulted in an event that up until the main event had mostly left me wondering why I'm still watching. Luckily, the main event and Universal Championship matches gave the card enough clout to have me thinking I had spent my time wisely, too bad I had to sit through nearly two hours of mostly rubbish to get to it.
While SmackDown failed at supporting its undercard at No Mercy, they had to deal with a Presidential Debate, resulting in a card reshuffle at the last minute that dogged the night. Hell In A Cell had no such issue, and followed the same platform as the blue brand, showcasing problems with their weekly show that need fixing in order for their PPV quality to improve. As next month we have a duel-branded show, it may not seem too bad, but we'll have to wait and see, as this PPV's results and quality leaves me wondering how a FOUR-HOUR Survivor Series can pick this companies' PPV product out of a pit that's starting to fill with dirt as the winter nights loom over it. This was the worst PPV of the year so far, and I'm hoping it picks up soon or we could find the once proud 2016 PPV calendar be buried under the weight of my own irritation and disappointment.
While having a four and three and a half star match respectively on the card is great and gives it some breathing room, the rest of the undercard including the other part of the 'Triple Main Event' felt unbelievably flat, with the undercard showcasing massive issues in regards to story building on the weekly show, because without the flames burning to give them life, the matches as in-ring contests didn't have anything to get this Boston crowd excited and as a result, have me at home wondering how matches with good wrestlers in them could disappoint and leave me questioning how a three-hour show could struggle to build these matches up right? When you combine the match placement on the card occasionally not working and some matches going shorter than nessecary to accommodate the Hell In A Cell matches, the event at times felt rushed and lacking cohesion, which resulted in an event that up until the main event had mostly left me wondering why I'm still watching. Luckily, the main event and Universal Championship matches gave the card enough clout to have me thinking I had spent my time wisely, too bad I had to sit through nearly two hours of mostly rubbish to get to it.
While SmackDown failed at supporting its undercard at No Mercy, they had to deal with a Presidential Debate, resulting in a card reshuffle at the last minute that dogged the night. Hell In A Cell had no such issue, and followed the same platform as the blue brand, showcasing problems with their weekly show that need fixing in order for their PPV quality to improve. As next month we have a duel-branded show, it may not seem too bad, but we'll have to wait and see, as this PPV's results and quality leaves me wondering how a FOUR-HOUR Survivor Series can pick this companies' PPV product out of a pit that's starting to fill with dirt as the winter nights loom over it. This was the worst PPV of the year so far, and I'm hoping it picks up soon or we could find the once proud 2016 PPV calendar be buried under the weight of my own irritation and disappointment.
HELL IN A CELL 2016 GETS A 3.25 OUT OF 10
In relation to other 2016 events, it lines up as follows:
Payback: 7.75/10
Royal Rumble: 6/10
Battleground: 6/10
WrestleMania 32: 6/10
Backlash: 5.75/10
SummerSlam: 5.5/10
Clash Of Champions: 5.25/10
Extreme Rules: 4.75/10
Money In The Bank: 4.5/10
Fastlane: 4.25/10
No Mercy: 4/10
Hell In A Cell: 3.25/10
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In relation to other 2016 events, it lines up as follows:
Payback: 7.75/10
Royal Rumble: 6/10
Battleground: 6/10
WrestleMania 32: 6/10
Backlash: 5.75/10
SummerSlam: 5.5/10
Clash Of Champions: 5.25/10
Extreme Rules: 4.75/10
Money In The Bank: 4.5/10
Fastlane: 4.25/10
No Mercy: 4/10
Hell In A Cell: 3.25/10
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I've been Freddy Thomas, you've been people reading. This has been the Hell In A Cell 2016 Review for The CC Network Blog and I'll see you all next time.
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