This Sunday, the WWE presents it's third pay-per-view in six weeks, Hell in a Cell, which will likely see the culmination of many feud which began in the summer.
Unlike Battleground and Night of Champions before it, I'm really looking forward to this card, mainly because of the main event a finale between Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan that promises to crown a new WWE Champion, which Shawn Michaels as the guest referee, and the World Heavyweight Championship match, which features the return of John Cena. It also remains to be seen how the "fired" Big Show fits into this event and that alone is intriguing.
Here's a look at each announced match, as well as my predicted outcome. As always, if you're watching the PPV, follow me on Twitter @CCTChairShots for my insights during the show.
Intercontinental Championship PPV Kick-off
Curtis Axel (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. Big E Langston
I really want to like Curtis Axel, but I just don't find him that interesting or even that good in the ring. Unfortunately, I think there is a babyface turn coming here soon, when Ryback and Heyman ditch him, blaming their shortcomings against CM Punk on him. (Remember, he lost the Beat the Clock Challenge that allowed Punk to pick the stipulation for the match later in the night.) I think the dissension starts to really come into play here when Big E Langston defeats him for the Intercontinental Championship. Langston hasn't really shown much yet in his promos, but hopefully he's given more opportunity to speak and get himself over as a babyface. WWE, like they seemingly always do, will give him the IC title in an attempt to get him over without much build-up.
WINNER: And NEW Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston
Tag Team match
Real Americans w/ Zeb Colter vs. Los Matadores w/ El Torito
I'll be honest with you, I'd be fine with Los Matadores if not for the stupid mini dressed as a bull. They work a fun, exciting style, but the gimmick is too much. Sadly, it's because El Torito exists, you know Los Matadores are winning here -- that and it's their PPV debut, WWE won't squash that momentum right away. It's too bad, because I think the Real Americans would be interesting and credible contenders to the Rhodes boys, assuming they retain tag team gold. I do completely expect Antonio Cesaro to attempt his giant swing on both Fernando and Diego at the same time. We've seen him swing every giant, now I want to see him swing two people at once.
WINNERS: Los Matadores
Triple Threat for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Cody Rhodes and Goldust (c) vs. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso
Why are the Usos in this match? I realize they won a No. 1 contenders match a few weeks back, then never got their title shot, and that's fine, but this would've had a lot more heat if it was just the Rhodes boys versus The Shield again. The Usos are very good, so I don't want anyone to think I'm disparaging them, I just feel like they are "extras" and don't add much to the story here. Perhaps it's just a way to keep the belts on Cody and Goldust a little longer and give us one more rematch with the Shield. Yeah, let's go with that. The Rhodes when by turning the tables on the Shield, pinning one of the Usos after Roman Reigns hits a spear.
WINNER: And STILL WWE Tag Team Champions, Cody Rhodes and Goldust
Divas Championship
AJ Lee (c) w/ Tamina Snuka vs. Brie Bella w/ Nikki Bella
Realistically, I think AJ should retain because she's the best performer in the WWE's women's division. But I think the powers that be (the real ones, not the kayfabe Authority) have been dying to get the belt on one of the Bellas for months since they came back. Now that Nikki is healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bellas tried to pull off Twin Magic in this one, but get "caught" by Tamina, creating a distraction and allowing Brie to steal a victory. That would give the Authority (the kayfabe one now) reason to mess with Brie and actually give the Bellas a bit of an angle.
WINNER: And NEW Divas Champion, Brie Bella
Hell in a Cell handicap match
CM Punk vs. Ryback and Paul Heyman
The first of two Hell in a Cell matches at the show is actually a rematch of sorts from last year, when a heel CM Punk (with Paul Heyman as his manager) defended the WWE Championship against a babyface Ryback. Of course, that one ended when then-referee now Raw GM Brad Maddox made a fast count after Punk low-blowed Ryback. This is one of the few matches I'm torn on how it will end, because just like last year, I think both men need to come out of it looking strong. It really depends on what's next for CM Punk. At least one rumor is he's going to take time off again because of injuries (and with John Cena returning, WWE can afford to be without him for a bit). Personally, I'd like to see him get back in the WWE title scene, and I don't see another logical path for him if he wins this match and vanquishes Paul Heyman as promised. Here's an idea, somehow get Ryback locked outside of the cage so it's just Punk and Heyman 1-on-1 inside. Once Punk destroys Heyman and wins the match, the cage rises and Ryback brutally attacks Punk. His issues with Heyman settled provide some semblance of closure, even if he'll still owe Ryback one when he comes back.
WINNER: CM Punk
World Heavyweight Championship
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena
Cheering Cena isn't the popular thing to do for people who write about wrestling on the internet, but I think the guy is great, and I'm happy to see him back so soon. I've read some people complain that there isn't a reason to book Cena in a World championship match immediately upon his return, but let's be honest, this guy is the real face of the WWE and as long as the Authority is harping on what's "Best for Business," it's hard to argue that Cena is just that. While the match doesn't have a personal grudge to it, I think that's OK. Both Cena and Del Rio are all about being successful, with Cena's character working hard for his triumphs and Del Rio getting their by any means necessary. It's the classic face-heel dynamic. Add to it that Del Rio's finisher is the Cross-Armbreaker, and Cena is coming off (alleged) triceps surgery. (For the record, I have no insider knowledge, but do believe that reports that Cena's injury wasn't nearly as bad as was explained on television, hence him able to return so soon. Remember, when he announced he had a torn triceps the night after SummerSlam, that was news to everyone, as many thought he just needed his elbow drained. My guess is the injury was somewhere in between those two in severity.) Bottom line, the story this match will tell is Del Rio working the injured arm, only for Cena to ultimately overcome him. I suspect Cena will get hooked in the Cross-Armbreaker at some point, only to power out. I think there could be a great finishing sequence that sees Del Rio to go for his enziguri in the corner as Cena holds his arm, only to get caught in an Attitude Adjustment to end the match.
WINNER: And NEW World Heavyweight Champion, John Cena
***BONUS PREDICTION***
Money in the Bank cash-in for the World Heavyweight Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Damien Sandow
With Cena in obvious pain despite being the victor, it makes perfect sense for Damien Sandow to attempt to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot. After all, isn't that exactly what every other heel MITB briefcase holder has done. Here is where it's time to flip the script. Once the bell rings, Sandow charges in, but gets caught in the AA or the STF and becomes the second Money in the Bank winner to fail to cash-in. I mean, let's be honest, does anyone really view Sandow as a World champion? Maybe sometime, but his character is too gimmicky for that role right now. And while Cena defeating him will obviously make some meta-fans hate Cena even more, it works with his character being able to overcome adversity. He'll be the first person to cleanly throw back a Money in the Bank challenger during a surprise cash-in. It also adds to the lore of Money in the Bank, and adds a new layer to the cash-in that it's not entirely guaranteed.
WINNER: And STILL World Heavyweight Champion, John Cena
Hell in a Cell match for the vacant WWE Championship w/ special guest referee Shawn Michaels
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton
Bryan has be booked really strong in recent weeks and everything seems to be in his favor heading into this match, including the special guest referee Shawn Michaels, who has been painted as Bryan's mentor, an enemy of Orton, and -- while a long-time buddy of COO Triple H -- one who doesn't quite agree with the Authority right now. So beyond even the match itself, which promises to be the best of the series between these two competitors, the intrigue of will he or won't he with Michaels turning heel is a big part of the excitement around this match. As I wrote about Raw earlier this week, there are a lot of moving parts in this angle. The biggest is whether a Bryan-Triple H match is in the cards down the road. If so, I think Bryan can afford a loss here. If not, then Bryan absolutely needs to win the WWE Championship to prove the Game wrong. But here's the thing -- if Bryan wins the title, who does he defend it against? There aren't many obvious challengers to move up, whereas Orton could face CM Punk (if he sticks around) or Big Show (assuming he's "re-hired"). There are also the legitimate "Best for Business" reasons Orton should win the title. I really have no idea how they get there, but I think at the end of the night, we'll see ...
WINNER: And NEW WWE Champion Randy Orton
