Ever since Triple H pedigreed Daniel Bryan and handed Randy Orton the WWE Championship at Summerslam, we were firmly placed upon this road straight to Hell in a Cell. The journey has had its peaks and valleys, but it has all led to this one climactic match-- Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton in Hell in a Cell. The result of this one match will heavily influence the Authority storyline from this point forward as well as the directions for Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, Big Show and Triple H leading to WrestleMania XXX.
Considering how Battleground felt less like a PPV and more like an episode of Raw, the storylines surrounding Hell in a Cell have been cooking for well over a month now. Even though there are only five matches announced for this show, Hell in a Cell hits all the major feuds taking place in the WWE right now. Creative will definitely add a match and/or segment to pad out time for the PPV and create buffers between big matches as it is very rare to see a five match card from WWE nowadays. Personally, I cannot fully articulate my feelings about this PPV. I am cautiously optimistic as Hell in a Cell feels like the climax of many ongoing storylines. At the same time due to this PPV being such a pivot point in all these feuds, this writer is worried that WWE in their infinite wisdom will find a way to screw it up. It is a very interesting predicament as in actuality Hell in a Cell can either make or break the rest of the year for WWE.
Cody Rhodes & Goldust (c) vs. The Shield vs. The Usos in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match for WWE Tag Team Championship
The trials and tribulations of the Rhodes Family has been the most enthralling program in WWE today. WWE has legitimately made the audience care so much for Cody and Goldust that they were able to take the tag titles from the Shield, something this writer did not think we would see for a long while. While this writer does not want to get hopes up for the resurrection of WWE's Tag Team division, putting the Rhodes Brothers as the champions of this division seems to have given the tag team division a much needed shot of adrenaline. Quality tag team matches have been main eventing Raw for the last two weeks and there are a good number of heel tag teams to challenge for the titles (The Shield, Wyatt Family and Real Americans to name a few). If there is more variety needed, WWE can easily bring a few tag teams up from NXT to fill the void such as Kidd & Gabriel and the Ascension. This Triple Threat Tag Team Match can be the first step in putting the spotlight firmly on tag teams once again as it could easily steal the show. WWE needs to figure out fast that this push cannot be sporadic. It has to be a major focus of WWE programming going forward in order for this push to truly work.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes & Goldust retain
AJ Lee (c) vs. Brie Bella for the Diva's Championship
No matter how hard WWE tries the Bellas will not magically garner support when there has been no official face turn on WWE programming whatsoever. Other than comfort Daniel Bryan after beatings, they have done nothing to categorize them as face. Handing the Diva's Title over to Brie will not automatically correct the crowd's view of the Bellas either. Just get us out of this lame program and move AJ and the Diva's Title onto something worthwhile.
Prediction: AJ Lee retains
CM Punk vs. Ryback & Paul Heyman in a Hell in a Cell Match
While this writer does love both CM Punk and Paul Heyman, this feud has gone on long enough. One can only go so long seeing Punk almost get his hands on Heyman just to be cut off by Curtis Axel or Ryback at the last minute. At first, it was entertaining; now it is boring. It is time for Punk to get his revenge on Heyman and move onto the WWE Championship. Considering this is a handicap match taking place in the confines of Hell in a Cell, do not expect a spectacular wrestling showcase. This match will be a brutal manhandling of both Ryback and Heyman and nothing more.
Prediction: CM Punk wins
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena for the World Heavyweight Championship
When John Cena announced he needed to take time off for surgery, nobody expected him back before Royal Rumble. Correction, nobody wanted him back before Royal Rumble. It is not very often that wrestling fans get a reprieve from John Cena's endlessly tiresome antics that when it does happen, we cherish it. John Cena may be able to compete, but just two months after leaving for surgery seems too soon to risk possible re-injury of WWE's top star. While Raw ratings might be down, there is no need for WWE to bring back John Cena to be an unnecessary addition to storylines already in motion. Also the incredible lack of hype for the announcement of Cena's return makes this entire situation seem very shortsighted on WWE's end. Placing Alberto Del Rio in the middle of this return is just a waste for the World Heavyweight Champion, which should be taking on actual contenders instead of being fed to the wolves. Maybe Cena's pairing with Del Rio at Hell in a Cell will introduce a new storyline about Cena returning to action too soon as his elbow has not properly healed yet. One can dream.
Prediction: Alberto Del Rio retains
Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan for the vacant WWE Championship in a Hell in a Cell Match with Shawn Michaels as the Special Guest Referee
If there is one match to watch this Sunday, it is Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan in Hell in a Cell. The ultimate showdown between Bryan and Orton has been building for two months and it is finally time to close the curtain on this chapter in their rivalry. Although the intensity of this feud has not built to the point that Hell in a Cell is particularly needed in this writer's opinion, the Cell adds a sense of finality to the match. Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton are trapped in an impenetrable cage with any sort of weapon at their disposal. If you thought their No Disqualification match from Raw a few months back was brutal, expect this Hell in a Cell match to turn the brutality up to eleven. Two men will enter the Cell, but only one will emerge with the WWE Championship around their waist. Do not forget that Shawn Michaels is officiating this match and has a history with both men. The Heartbreak Kid will definitely be a factor in the finish for this match. While Michaels trained Bryan, there is a possibility for HBK to turn on his pupil as Triple H hinted at on Monday with his comment that HBK will do what is "best for business". Big Show may also play a factor in the result of this match for better or worse. Nonetheless, this match has high expectations to live up to. Hopefully, WWE can pull it off and successfully start a new chapter of the Authority storyline.
Prediction: Randy Orton wins the WWE Championship
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Sunday, October 6, 2013
The Frontline of the WWE: Preview of WWE Battleground 2013
It seems that WWE never learns. One pay-per view a month is plenty. Adding these unnecessary PPVs in no way helps the product; in fact, it dilutes the product because you break the focus from building entertaining and engrossing storylines to promote a PPV that does not seem anywhere close to important. Especially with Hell in a Cell set for later this month, WWE's newest PPV Battleground feels like a generic throwaway PPV. Personally, this writer never hopes for any show to be a throwaway, but that is the nature of things. When establishing a new PPV, WWE needs to really make a strong first impression or risk going the ways of December to Dismember, Breaking Point or Capitol Punishment. There are some interesting storylines heading into Battleground; the one caveat being that Battleground feels more in lines with a big episode of Raw than a major PPV event as it is stuck in the middle of two pivotal PPVs (Night of Champions and Hell in a Cell). Well the wait will not be that long to see if this new PPV sinks or swims as Battleground originates from the First Niagara Center in Buffalo this Sunday evening.
Kofi Kingston vs. Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt has not had much to do since WWE Creative wrote Kane off of TV at Summerslam. Given the incredibly unique talent of the Wyatt Family, this writer would have thought WWE would spring at the opportunity to put together a little feud to keep them busy for the time being. No, all viewers got were more cryptic messages and squash matches. It seems WWE is stalling until they decide to bring Kane back into the fray. Speaking of the Big Red Monster, this match would be an excellent opportunity to bring Kane back into his feud with Bray Wyatt in some capacity. Be it an opponent or follower, Kane is desperately needed to give the Wyatt Family some much needed direction.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins
Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. The Shield
The feud between the Corporation and the Rhodes Family has been the most entertaining television on any current WWE programming. All starting with Triple H prematurely firing Cody Rhodes for losing a match to Randy Orton, this feud has slowly escalated over the past month to involve the entire Rhodes Family (Cody, Goldust and Dusty). In a last ditch effort to eradicate the Rhodes threat, Triple H gave them a proposition they could not refuse-- beat The Shield and Cody and Goldust get their jobs back, lose and the entire Rhodes Family is banned from the WWE. These huge stakes along with the great set-up make this match worth paying attention to this Sunday. With the right intensity, environment and direction, this simple tag team match could steal the show.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes & Goldust win
AJ Lee (c) vs. Brie Bella for the Diva's Championship
Well, it was wishful thinking that mixing the Diva's Title scene with the cast of Total Divas was just a one shot deal. WWE is back at it again this month. Now WWE will be cycling through the cast to individually challenge AJ. Outside of Natalya, this writer does not see any of the other divas taking the title away from WWE's resident crazy chick.
Prediction: AJ Lee retains
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Rob Van Dam in a Battleground Hardcore Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
With such a short period between Night of Champions and Battleground, it would not have been the best choice to build up a brand new challenger for Alberto Del Rio. The easiest and smartest choice was to continue this decent feud with Rob Van Dam and Ricardo Rodriguez especially after the disqualification ending to their match at Night of Champions. Given RVD's history of excellent hardcore matches and Del Rio's developing mean streak, this match should be an exciting bout to say the least. With RVD set to be taking a break after Battleground, this writer has a feeling Rodriguez will once again be joining forces with Alberto Del Rio.
Prediction: Alberto Del Rio retains
Curtis Axel (c) vs. R-Truth for the Intercontinental Championship
It really is hard to preview this match as there is absolutely no story or real significance for it. R-Truth beat Curtis Axel in a non-title match on Raw so guess that win warrants him a title opportunity. The only purpose for this match serves is being the buffer between the bigger matches on the card. Being the buffer is just what this match is going to be as it should be an average bout at best.
Prediction: Curtis Axel retains
CM Punk vs. Ryback
Placing Ryback into the hands of Paul Heyman was ingenious. There was no real direction for his character other than the obligatory Ryback bullying segment that appeared on every episode of Raw and Smackdown for the past few months. After Curtis Axel and Brock Lesnar, it was hard to think of somebody to keep CM Punk busy with Paul Heyman. Ryback fits the bill perfectly as there is history and chemistry between the two and he has nothing else to do. As it is only the first match between Punk and Ryback, expect the newest Paul Heyman guy to get the win in some underhanded way. Heyman needs to keep winning in order for this feud to continue. If Punk wins, he can finally exact his revenge against Heyman thus end of story and end of keeping Punk away for the WWE Title picture.
Prediction: Ryback wins
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton for the vacant WWE Championship
Speaking of the WWE Title picture, it has been an interesting three weeks. At Night of Champions, Daniel Bryan reclaimed the WWE Championship from Randy Orton, but things were not right in the world. When Scott Armstrong went to count the winning pinfall, he made an obviously quick count. This fast count was used by Triple H to strip Daniel Bryan of the WWE Championship the next night on Raw. While it was obvious Triple H orchestrated the entire fast count fiasco, you do have to applaud WWE for thinking of a neat way to extend this feud between Bryan and Orton without damaging the standing of either superstar. The Corporation storyline has made considerable strides in making the faces look on even footing with the heels, but all paths lead to a climactic multi-man match at Survivor Series. In order to get to that climax, there needs to be some adversity for the new leader of the locker room, Daniel Bryan. In some way, shape or form, Randy Orton has to leave Battleground as WWE Champion to keep this major storyline on course for Survivor Series.
Prediction: Randy Orton wins the WWE Championship
Kofi Kingston vs. Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt has not had much to do since WWE Creative wrote Kane off of TV at Summerslam. Given the incredibly unique talent of the Wyatt Family, this writer would have thought WWE would spring at the opportunity to put together a little feud to keep them busy for the time being. No, all viewers got were more cryptic messages and squash matches. It seems WWE is stalling until they decide to bring Kane back into the fray. Speaking of the Big Red Monster, this match would be an excellent opportunity to bring Kane back into his feud with Bray Wyatt in some capacity. Be it an opponent or follower, Kane is desperately needed to give the Wyatt Family some much needed direction.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins
Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. The Shield
The feud between the Corporation and the Rhodes Family has been the most entertaining television on any current WWE programming. All starting with Triple H prematurely firing Cody Rhodes for losing a match to Randy Orton, this feud has slowly escalated over the past month to involve the entire Rhodes Family (Cody, Goldust and Dusty). In a last ditch effort to eradicate the Rhodes threat, Triple H gave them a proposition they could not refuse-- beat The Shield and Cody and Goldust get their jobs back, lose and the entire Rhodes Family is banned from the WWE. These huge stakes along with the great set-up make this match worth paying attention to this Sunday. With the right intensity, environment and direction, this simple tag team match could steal the show.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes & Goldust win
AJ Lee (c) vs. Brie Bella for the Diva's Championship
Well, it was wishful thinking that mixing the Diva's Title scene with the cast of Total Divas was just a one shot deal. WWE is back at it again this month. Now WWE will be cycling through the cast to individually challenge AJ. Outside of Natalya, this writer does not see any of the other divas taking the title away from WWE's resident crazy chick.
Prediction: AJ Lee retains
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Rob Van Dam in a Battleground Hardcore Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
With such a short period between Night of Champions and Battleground, it would not have been the best choice to build up a brand new challenger for Alberto Del Rio. The easiest and smartest choice was to continue this decent feud with Rob Van Dam and Ricardo Rodriguez especially after the disqualification ending to their match at Night of Champions. Given RVD's history of excellent hardcore matches and Del Rio's developing mean streak, this match should be an exciting bout to say the least. With RVD set to be taking a break after Battleground, this writer has a feeling Rodriguez will once again be joining forces with Alberto Del Rio.
Prediction: Alberto Del Rio retains
Curtis Axel (c) vs. R-Truth for the Intercontinental Championship
It really is hard to preview this match as there is absolutely no story or real significance for it. R-Truth beat Curtis Axel in a non-title match on Raw so guess that win warrants him a title opportunity. The only purpose for this match serves is being the buffer between the bigger matches on the card. Being the buffer is just what this match is going to be as it should be an average bout at best.
Prediction: Curtis Axel retains
CM Punk vs. Ryback
Placing Ryback into the hands of Paul Heyman was ingenious. There was no real direction for his character other than the obligatory Ryback bullying segment that appeared on every episode of Raw and Smackdown for the past few months. After Curtis Axel and Brock Lesnar, it was hard to think of somebody to keep CM Punk busy with Paul Heyman. Ryback fits the bill perfectly as there is history and chemistry between the two and he has nothing else to do. As it is only the first match between Punk and Ryback, expect the newest Paul Heyman guy to get the win in some underhanded way. Heyman needs to keep winning in order for this feud to continue. If Punk wins, he can finally exact his revenge against Heyman thus end of story and end of keeping Punk away for the WWE Title picture.
Prediction: Ryback wins
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton for the vacant WWE Championship
Speaking of the WWE Title picture, it has been an interesting three weeks. At Night of Champions, Daniel Bryan reclaimed the WWE Championship from Randy Orton, but things were not right in the world. When Scott Armstrong went to count the winning pinfall, he made an obviously quick count. This fast count was used by Triple H to strip Daniel Bryan of the WWE Championship the next night on Raw. While it was obvious Triple H orchestrated the entire fast count fiasco, you do have to applaud WWE for thinking of a neat way to extend this feud between Bryan and Orton without damaging the standing of either superstar. The Corporation storyline has made considerable strides in making the faces look on even footing with the heels, but all paths lead to a climactic multi-man match at Survivor Series. In order to get to that climax, there needs to be some adversity for the new leader of the locker room, Daniel Bryan. In some way, shape or form, Randy Orton has to leave Battleground as WWE Champion to keep this major storyline on course for Survivor Series.
Prediction: Randy Orton wins the WWE Championship
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