BROCK LESNAR SHOCKINGLY RETURNS AND CAUSES CHAOS DURING
MAIN EVENT
Hell in a Cell was an eventful night that ended with
Brock Lesnar wreaking havoc on the main event and leaving the Universal
championship picture in chaos. It was far from the only contested ending, on a
night in which a new SmackDown women's champion was crowned and Seth Rollins,
Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre got two separate chances to tear
the house down.
HELL IN A CELL
MATCH FOR THE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP: ROMAN REIGNS (C)
VS. BRAUN
STROWMAN GOES TO A NO CONTEST
When a character on WWE TV goes out of his way to say a
certain rule or stipulation is going to prevent outside forces interfering in a
match, you can be confident that at least one outsider is going to figure into
the result of the match. Braun Strowman's assertion that Hell in a Cell would
be a fair way to determine whether he or Universal champion Roman Reigns would
walk out the victor without interference was nullified by watching just about
every Hell in a Cell match outside of the first one and seeing how easily
action spilled to the outside of the cage.
RATINGS SUMMARY
(3.25 OUT OF 5)
This match was captivating chaos with some incredible bumps.
The lack of a definitive winner hurt the final product, though. Booking aside,
this match was very entertaining.
- Storytelling:
0.50
- In-Ring
Execution: 0.50
- Match
Psychology: 0.75
- Timing:
0.50
- Innovation:
1.00
If we're going to talk about one of the most unsatisfying
endings to a fun (if insanely chaotic) match in recent memory, the way that the
main event of Hell in a Cell came to its end would still have to rank at or
near the top of that list.
Everything that happened leading up to the moment when a
replacement referee called the match off as a no contest was fun. Strowman used
the steel stairs, the cage and anything that wasn't nailed down as a means to
batter Reigns. Reigns fought back each and every time, sent Strowman into the
cage a few times in his own right and hit about a half-dozen Superman punches.
Strowman and Reigns each hit one finisher. Strowman countered
a Superman punch into a chokeslam that special guest referee Mick Foley nearly
accidentally counted to three on, as well as a powerslam. Reigns speared
Strowman through a table set up in the corner, which also only earned a
two-count. But from that moment on, the participants in the main event were an
afterthought.
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre ran down to the ring, with
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins predictably not far behind. All four men made it
to the top of the Hell in a Cell in a breathtaking but scary few minutes which
included a double clothesline between Ambrose and McIntyre that caused a big
impact. Rollins and Ziggler made the highlight reel as they slammed each
other's heads off the cage and sent each other flying off the side of Hell in a
Cell through tables.
Then it was time for Brock Lesnar to rear his head and
impose his will. As Paul Heyman tried to beg the referee for the key to the
lock securing the cage door, Lesnar decided he'd rather kick the steel door off
its hinges to gain entry. Heyman neutralized Foley with pepper spray to the
eyes, and Lesnar beat both Reigns and Strowman into oblivion -- using the door
and fragments of table, with an F-5 to each to cap off his efforts.
The match was immediately called off, and if you don't think
there's a triple threat grudge match to come, you simply haven't been paying
attention. But it was certainly a tough night for Raw general manager Baron
Corbin, who's feeling the pressure of his title in this moment.
Walking away from a match that's supposed to decide a
definitive winner without that clear winner emerging is a bait-and-switch
tactic born in the olden days of pro wrestling, to be sure. But it sure wasn't
a satisfying way for fans to leave the AT&T Center or for those watching at
home, especially considering how it wiped out the fun and chaotic nature of the
Money in the Bank briefcase as an afterthought.
RAW WOMEN'S
CHAMPIONSHIP: RONDA ROUSEY (C)
DEF. ALEXA BLISS
It came as no surprise that Ronda Rousey walked away from
her Raw women's championship match against Alexa Bliss with a submission
victory via armbar, but everything else leading up to that moment didn't quite
click.
RATINGS SUMMARY
(1.75 OUT OF 5)
Outside of Bliss' strategy in targeting Rousey's injured
ribs and some nicely executed offense by Rousey, this match never quite got
going. Both Bliss and Rousey have been strong in 2018, but this one ranks near
the bottom of their efforts.
- Storytelling:
0.25
- In-Ring
Execution: 0.50
- Match
Psychology: 0.50
- Timing:
0.25
- Innovation:
0.25
Rousey spent the majority of her title defense with Bliss
battering and bruising her ribs from every direction imaginable. In terms of a
performance, it sadly felt like it strained suspension of disbelief to its
limits as the larger and more acutely trained Rousey didn't make for a
believable underdog who should be fighting from behind. It's a stylistic choice
of what to do with her character, to be sure, but a lot of Rousey's appeal
comes from her experience and actual destructive powers from the world of mixed
martial arts.
Despite Bliss having injured Rousey's ribs in the lead-up to
this match, and the potential distractions on the outside, it took far too long
for Rousey to turn things around. When it did, with an over-the-top expression
change that happened in an instant, a judo-style spinning suplex and an armbar
caused Bliss to tap out almost instantaneously.
This finally puts Bliss in Rousey's rear-view mirror, but it
also leaves her dance card open for WWE Evolution. Monday's edition of Raw is
likely to provide either clues or outright answers to which direction Rousey's
heading in next -- and that step could be a crucial one as far as her long-term
career prospects.
MIXED TAG-TEAM
MATCH: MARYSE & THE MIZ DEF.
BRIE BELLA & DANIEL BRYAN
From the beginning, it was difficult to say what role Brie
Bella and Maryse would play in Sunday night's mixed tag-team match. They each
have a solid pedigree, but the truth is they were each subplots in the heated
feud between Daniel Bryan and The Miz.
RATINGS SUMMARY
(2.75 OUT OF 5)
In addition to the cat-and-mouse game between Maryse and Brie
Bella, there was some fun in-ring action. It was more of a solid TV match
though, as opposed to an anticipated PPV bout.
- Storytelling:
0.75
- In-Ring
Execution: 0.50
- Match
Psychology: 0.75
- Timing:
0.50
- Innovation:
0.25
In some ways, this mixed match seemed more like an
exhibition, perhaps even a halftime show, than it did in the next chapter of
Bryan versus The Miz rivalry. The two men went at it right away, but we had to
wait and wait ... and wait for their partners to enter the ring, as Maryse
wanted no part of the action.
The cowardly act elicited jeers from the crowd, and when
they finally did enter, about 10 minutes into the match, Bella cleaned house.
She had all the momentum and it seemed certain she and Bryan would come out on
top.
Somehow, someway, though, Maryse rolled up her foe in a
last-ditch effort to win the match. The heels reveled in their win as they
walked back to the locker room.
Make that advantage Miz again. Since his issue with Bryan
reignited weeks before SummerSlam, Miz has won the war of words and the battle
inside the ring. The strategy makes sense. It allows Bryan the opportunity to
play the David role, to wallow in his shortcomings before the inevitable win
when the spotlight is shining bright.
The problem is unless this comes at Survivor Series, which
does not seem like the ideal time, when will Bryan have that spotlight again?
Will this feud slowly linger until next year at the Royal Rumble? Longer?
Whatever it is, Bryan has a lot of work to do if he has
aspirations of retribution.
WWE
CHAMPIONSHIP: AJ STYLES (C)
DEF. SAMOA JOE
The big question heading into the WWE championship match
between AJ Styles and Samoa Joe was whether or not Joe was viewed as true world
champion material. Sunday didn't provide a definitive answer.
RATINGS SUMMARY
(2.75 OUT OF 5)
These two worked really hard and put forth an admirable
effort featuring a lot of stiff shots. The abrupt ending leaves the door open
for more battles down the road. This chapter of that story was solid, but
didn't kick into that next gear.
- Storytelling:
0.75
- In-Ring
Execution: 0.50
- Match
Psychology: 0.75
- Timing:
0.25
- Innovation:
0.50
Although Styles emerged with the victory and retained the
WWE championship, the ending was far from decisive; as the referee's arm was
dropping to the mat for the third count, Styles tapped out -- albeit out of the
view of the referee and the primary TV camera. This is sure to lead to
controversy and at least one more WWE title match between these two, as well as
an opportunity to truly prove the best of what they're capable of.
Up to the point when this match ended, Styles and Samoa Joe
were seemingly giving it their all. The level of physicality was there, but
whether it was the crowd not feeling the story that led to all of the tension
in this match, or sheer exhaustion after putting so much energy and excitement
into the Raw tag team title match, it felt as though something was missing.
That's not to say there weren't a few moments for each guy's
highlight reel, including Styles turning a torture rack into a spinning
powerbomb and the dizzying series of finisher counters that led us to the
controversial finish.
It's been a while since WWE has done a disputed finish in
such a high-profile match, but if it serves to ramp up the intensity and
emotion of fans while putting some distance from the wife and daughter
narrative, it will have fulfilled its purpose.
RAW TAG TEAM
CHAMPIONSHIPS: DOLPH ZIGGLER & DREW MCINTYRE (C)
DEF. DEAN AMBROSE & SETH ROLLINS
Take a breath. A deep one. From start to finish, this might
end up being the match of the night.
Surprising? Hardly. The chemistry between Seth Rollins, Dean
Ambrose, Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler is unparalleled in the WWE landscape
and that was never more apparent than Sunday night.
RATINGS SUMMARY
(4.50 OUT OF 5)
As expected from four of the premier superstars in the
company, this was an incredibly entertaining tag match. It was a high octane
affair full of drama. This was one of the better tag team matches of the year.
- Storytelling:
1.00
- In-Ring
Execution: `1.00
- Match
Psychology: 0.75
- Timing:
1.00
- Innovation:
0.75
Amid the suicide dives, frog splashes, superkicks, buckle
bombs, superplexes and Falcon Arrows, the action was nonstop, and you could
hear it in the reaction from the audience and through commentary. In the end,
it was the heels, thanks to a match-saving Claymore Kick from McIntyre (who was
not the legal man) on Rollins, just as Rollins was about to finish off Ziggler
to snare the titles.
It's not surprising the match ended without a title change.
At the moment, it's more important that Ziggler and McIntyre hold on to their
belts for the sake of relevancy. Rollins already owns the Intercontinental
title, and even if he didn't, the cachet of The Shield will keep him in the
main-event spotlight for the foreseeable future.
Ziggler and McIntyre are better together and carry more
figurative (and literal) weight than they do alone. Both were non-essential
figures in the WWE for some time recently, but teamed up with a new identity.
There's no question they're earning respect from the WWE universe. More so, by
aligning themselves with Braun Strowman, Ziggler and McIntyre will only grow
more relevant in the coming months.
SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S
CHAMPIONSHIP: BECKY LYNCH DEF. CHARLOTTE
FLAIR (C)
We've seen the best of Charlotte Flair when put up against a
specific caliber of opponent, and Sunday night's Hell in a Cell SmackDown
women's championship match against Becky Lynch proved just how good the
SmackDown women's division can be when two top-tier in-ring performers get a
chance to show their stuff.
RATINGS SUMMARY
(3.75 OUT OF 5)
This was a finely worked match by two superstars with an
immense amount of chemistry. Each sequence smoothly flowed into the next. We
were treated to a great one tonight.
- Storytelling:
0.75
- In-Ring
Execution: `0.75
- Match
Psychology: 1.00
- Timing:
0.75
- Innovation:
0.50
The psychology was clear from beginning to end, as Lynch and
Flair started with grappling and submission efforts, but Lynch was the dominant
aggressor throughout the bulk of the match. She worked on Flair's shoulder
throughout the contest with everything from a shoulder-first apron slam to an
innovative inverted hammerlock DDT. From a heated exchange of forearms to a
missed moonsault from Flair, it was clear these two long-time friends weren't
going to hold anything back in this match.
With the way these types of matches typically go, Lynch's
dominance during the bulk of the match and failed attempt at a Dis-Arm-Her
seemed to point toward a Flair victory, but there was one final twist to come.
Flair led shoulder-first with her damaged arm and appeared to hit a spear, only
for Lynch to roll through into a pin to gain a three-count victory and her
second career SmackDown women's title reign
As Flair made one final attempt to mend the bridge between
the two long-time friends, Lynch refused to accept Flair raising her hand in
victory -- removing even the slightest of doubts about the building animosity
between the two women. As we head into October and Evolution, there's a lot to
look forward to in terms of a title rematch between these two women, whenever
it may come.
HELL IN A
CELL: RANDY ORTON DEF. JEFF HARDY
If it was violence you expected between Jeff Hardy and Randy
Orton, it was violence you were granted.
RATINGS SUMMARY
(3.00 OUT OF 5)
This was a different Hell in a Cell match than expected. The
pace was slow and while we did get a big aerial spot out of Jeff Hardy, the
match was more about gruesome brutality. The end result was good, but not
great.
- Storytelling:
0.75
- In-Ring
Execution: `0.50
- Match
Psychology: 0.75
- Timing:
0.25
- Innovation:
1.00
The energy in the AT&T Center was sky-high as the Hell
in a Cell cage descended on the ring in the first main-card match of the night.
But the action between Hardy and Orton was slow and
methodical -- and marred by more acts of depravity. Yes, tables, ladders and
chairs were used, but that was the beginning. At one point, Orton found a
screwdriver under the ring, carried it inside and stuck it into Hardy's already
pierced ear, twisting it in a stomach-turning act of cruelty.
Hardy overcame the pain, but ultimately his biggest downfall
was his own undoing. Holding on to the top of the cage and swinging, Hardy
attempted to land a splash on Orton, who was lying on a table. But Orton moved
just in time and the impact of the fall incapacitated Hardy, who was then taken
out of the ring on a stretcher.
At this point, what more can we expect from Hardy and Orton?
The feud was built on a whim, and despite these next-level gruesome spots, it
never felt like anything the fans could truly embrace. It seemed as though
creative didn't have a good storyline for either and the beef was born out of
convenience.
The chemistry between Orton and Hardy wasn't terrible; Orton
can deliver pain and Hardy can endure high levels of pain. But here's hoping
each can move on and find rivals that resonate more than the one they had
together. In the end, this was a decent start to the pay-per-view, especially
with the implementation of the cage. But it also felt like the end of a feud
that never clicked in the first place.
SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM
CHAMPIONSHIPS: THE NEW DAY (C) DEF. RUSEV DAY (RUSEV & AIDEN ENGLISH)
At this point, New Day having a chip on their shoulder
because their match is on a pay-per-view kickoff show is essentially a given --
but Rusev Day stepped up in their own right. It wasn't a particularly long
match, but it was a faced-paced, fun opener as New Day ultimately retained.
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