Diva Delight! Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch called to main Raw roster

WWE’s newest batch of Diva’s make waves on Raw

After Monday night’s epic call up of three new and overdue Diva’s, WWE treated the fans to a new stance on the lacking diva’s division.

Once it made sure that Nikki Bella erased former WWE Diva AJ as the “longest reigning diva in WWE history” Nik claimed she “owned” the Diva gold. Failing to go down well with WWE owner Stephanie McMahon, the Authority diva herself issued some fair competition to the noticeably lacklustre efforts of flunkie failure Paige. Steph introduced Becky Lynch and Charlotte from NXT to assist Paige in her battles against the Bella Twins, Brie and Nikki with their gal pal Alicia Fox. Claiming no-one wanted to help Paige battle the terrible twins, Steph gave her some help. 

Though the two sets of three were not over with, yet. Naomi and Tamina would not be forgotten and made their claim on the fact they were developing the division. Steph agreed of their valid contributions and added an extra batch of beef to the tough trio. In came ‘The Boss’ Sasha Banks. The standout diva in NXT was put with the most badass, super team which really will shake up the divas division.

Wonderful attire, hair and style,
Becky Lynch arrives on Raw

So now the playing field has been set, what’s next for the gals and wheredo they go? While Stephanie McMahon is passionate about making the divas strong and overdid the ‘powerful women in sports’ sell, the gals have a strong focus. While Max Waltham was the true originator in developing, making the female wrestlers stand out, have equality and be noticed as a source of content fans truly want to see, without WWE’s endorsements or respect, the girls have now got a real chance to elevate themselves and the sport of women’s wrestling. How long WWE stay focused with it is another matter entirely.

The right choices were made to put them on the right teams, but is it really going to be the full effect it could desire? Sadly not. After our comedown back to reality after the extraordinary hype that made all seem good, the truth sets in. Becky Lynch was a necessary call up which may not have happened if it weren’t for circumstance. She looks amazing, buff and beautiful and is not shrinking violet. This one has powerful potential for WWE if they stay with it. She should not be neglected among the hype of others as she is a future player at this time for WWE. Alongside her is the stronger force of Sasha Banks. Banks has been underlooked in favour of others on NXT, but has more than proven herself to be ‘the one’ of the divas in NXT. She has it all in abundance and really needs strong booking. Sided with Tamina and Naomi, this team have the funky fresh, badass beauty to dominate.

Originally, before being injured, Bayley was considered in Lynch's place. While Bayley deserves a place on the roster, this was a blessing in disguise, as Lynch would be the better call-up at this time. Bayley will be much better as a singles or tag pal of Emma placing. 

All three newbie's granted their competition
with three, simultaneous submissions

This leads us to the final call up. Someone given her position simply due to “the lucky sperm club” Triple H once referred to. Stephanie made no excuses in hiding it and played up to the special, daddy roots for the female performer. Though she is Ric Flair’s baby girl and unknown what to do with her whilst waiting for original call up after December last year, WWE have not rushed the green lady into a wise place. Though the decision, once again from Max Waltham’s generous contributions, was to form a trio of the gals, but this time in different camps. The problem for Charlotte, despite her ignorant daddy from backroom chatter known as piffle that served no purpose to quality and sure fire self-destruct, is that she is too green for the main stage. While fans might do the same Paige moments, it is a bad idea to do the same thing with the same old without any thought process. Charlotte could well become the Paige Mark II, with damning results.

Ignorant flunkie Paige, called
up to fan favouritism only.

Paige was called up by Triple H under the notion that online fans gushed of her because she was making a bit of motion on NXT. NXT, which Triple H has tried to make his personalised brand, now festering with ignorant fellows, is no brand and still WWE’s developmental training ground. Paige was ultra-green and trying to manipulate the fans with a ‘we listen to you’ for good favour in a cheap and tacky manner was not beneficial to WWE, the diva’s division or Triple H. Triple H wants to make decisions that will be life changing for WWE, and rightly so. Trips is finding the pressure to be Vince McMahon’s successor with glowing plaudits, in his mind, well. Though in reality, it is anything but stable. Turbulent behaviour and advice to Triple H snubbed has become costly, especially with such ignorance plaguing his toy project, NXT. If Triple H figure out how to drive forward, instead of being an uptight aggressor to the fans in disguise trying to curry favour, Triple H may learn how to develop WWE for a wider future. Until then, his ego will destroy the inner walls of the company. Can Triple H stop abusing the throes of power for his own use and once do what is right? Anyone making a pathway that leads to nothing but negativity in product formation is not only soul destroying but very bad for business long term. It’s not personal, but for Triple H, he takes it as such. Find the sweet spot. 

The divas division does have a chance if WWE realise that Banks and Lynch alongside their respective pals will help them along. Lynch can take the ride until they need to disband. Lynch needs to be protected from Paige and Charlotte’s inadequacies if she is ever to truly make it. Yet she is one who can develop WWE’s female future. Charlotte is so inexperienced that the one thing which could ruin her, once again, is the fans. Over-praise, daddy roots and relying on a “Woooo!” will not boost her. Paige was gushed over by fans because it was ‘something new’ and then became nothing new. They finally realised her inadequacies. The ignorance on offer with Paige has become so toxic that WWE are in a precarious position. It needs to remove all ignorance if it is ever to survive a future, not dabble in it, instead. 

Fans' modern day greatest
diva champ of all time,
despite WWE's pencil
top eraser.

Buying someone for two years to train in NXT with an already stained ignorance state is not going to help WWE, only hinder it. The longer you write more things to get it over, the more you are stuck with them and cannot get rid of them. If you do so, then you cannot bail on them quick enough from ruining the core of the product and the entire fabric suffers. Without that, the company is always seen as inferior, lacking extra importance, taking away spots from probable stars that could make a future and lose fans along the way. Some will stay, but most will be disenchanted with WWE and what it stands for. The magic will be lost.

For the divas, the call up, initially, was a grand spectacle of love and change. Thought the real prospect of change is another thing WWE feel is only available in the foggy air of on-screen doing. If WWE looks like it is changing it, but still has the same principals in forming that decision, nothing has changed and it will revert to its ways once more eventually. This isn’t because of Vince McMahon realising it isn’t working, but because Triple H is desperate to seem like he can impose his favourites on the audience, festered with ignorance, without a seconds thought of the implications to its brand. WWE is a business. It takes a business mind, not personal favourites and friends, to be given such. This harms the show, not helps it. Crucial advice dismissed under the childish mantra of ‘I want to do what I want’ is tacky, sad and irrespective. The company cannot, and will not ever grow any further under this level of impositioning. No matter how much WWE throw at the product to make it change, in their defiance at any words that advise against because it wasn’t in tune with their idea, will falter. It isn’t about the idea neglect, but they may not see it. It’s exactly what you are trying to achieve, but going about it all the wrong way. This leads to loss. Money aside, can you really afford it?

You can also check out the Wrestling Wonders Pro Wrestling 25 at this link - WW Pro 25 for the annual lists on who are the most impressive and respected females of the sport over those past yearly entries. Many won't admit that this is where the look to for guidance, support and ideas for female wrestling evolution. We do not do it for this, we respect the Women who put on their excellent credentials. Copying it is not only cheap and sad, but everyone knows where it comes from and therefore, your opinion is inferior to influence. Same with the Wrestling Wonders Pro 50, all Male list. (Click here - WW Pro 50 Wonder List) No-one likes a glory hunter. 

© Max Waltham 16th July 2015

All Rights Reserved

WWE Survivor Series 2014

WWE Survivor Series 2014

Live from the Scottrade Centre in St. Louis Missouri on Pay Per View on Sunday 23rd November, WWE presented one of its Big Four, Survivor Series. Would WWE produce its “epic” show and what surprises would WWE deliver? Would they live up to the hype or be a one moment wear off instantly? Can it survive on the notion of a surprise when a lacking card was thrown together around one match and its hero?  Let’s find out…

Survivor Series opens up with Steph, Triple H and a special guest, Mr.McMahon!

“Thank you for such a warm welcome. I feel the love” Steph embraced the crowd.

Triple H pandered as he so often does for power. “Give it up for Vince McMahon!” he said.

“Woooooooooooooooooooooo!” Steph vividly cheered before an absurd rendition of “VINCE VINCE VINCE!”

Mr.McMahon claimed that this Survivor Series would change WWEs history and be “epic.” Seth Rollins going to win the gold? Brock turns up and costs Cena the win, but Seth cashes in!? Surely? That would be epic, right?

If Team Authority wins we are reminded of the late stipulation that all of John Cena’s teammates will be fired, but not Cena, of course.

Triple H got carried away and told Cena he would be “personably” responsible.

As soon as they’re gone, they will be forgotten. The crowd will drop them in a second. Steph added to Cena about the fickle fans who have no business understanding.

“Even if you can’t see us here, we’ll still be running the show, isn’t that right dad?” Steph barked.

“Not exactly what I had in mind.” Vince replied.

Both will retain their des jobs but have no influence” over the careers of WWE superstars. Yes. Vince layed down the law. The Authority would run its course, if defeated.

Hilariously Steph used her kids to granddad McMahon. Remember that promo against Paul Heyman getting a slap to “never use my kids”? Classic.

Stare down with Triple H. Ooh chemistry.

Vince uptalked SuperCena as the only one who could stop them.

“You’re a McMahon dammit! Don’t let me down!” Vince told his daughter.

Steph was then empowered by her father. “I love this! I’m a McMahon! Adversity only makes me stronger!”

Cena said The Authority had “No Chance in hell.”

There is always a chance but they are very slim when Cena’s in town.

There is a Spanish Announce table. Someone is going through that tonight.

WWE Tag Team Championship

Fatal 4 Way

The Uso’s Vs Stardust and Goldust (c) Vs The Miz and Damien Mizdow Vs Los Matadores

Stardust and Fernando begin the technical jostling. Great roll over pin attempt from Fernando. The Miz tags in from behind to battle the Matadorian. “We want Mizdow!” the crowd cheer. JBL tells us Papa Shango put a curse on Miz years ago. Quite possibly… Mizdow mimicks Miz who was being beaten down, to huge elation. Miz prompts for Mizdow and tells the crowd no. They boo vividly. It’s not Mizdow’s fault he’s lumbered with a loser. Uso’s both tagged in with Jimmy before then Jey replacing. Headlock on Fernando. Jey tipped over the rope by Stardust. Cheap, but no rules against it.

Stardust gets a legal tag and brings in Goldie. Goldust doesn’t lock a convincing hold with huge gaping issues on Uso. Stardust back in. “We want Mizdow!” One fall by Stardust. Stardust cheekily plays a tag for Mizdow and refuses. The crowd are dumb enough to be played. Uso falls into Los Matadores corner for a tag as he battles Miz with great skill. Jimmy saves the pin by Diego. Goldust gets a cheap outside clothesline from apron, allowing Miz to capitalise over Diego. Tag for Mizdow? No, but crowd cheer Mizdow and boo Miz until the tag is made! The crowd erupts! Goldust tagged himself in. Ha! WWE played you again.

Stadust comes back as the crowd gets riotous with Mizdow chants. The action between Star-d and Diego is ignored for Mizdow as Stardust yells you don’t want him but Stardust. Yeah, sure. Goldie returns. Two fall. Louder Mizdow chants no-one could ever deny. WWE don’t like Sandow, yet fans are in love with him. Will WWE finally cave in and admit defeat to turn a positive? Two fall from Goldust after some more action. El Torito rallies the crowd. Miz breaks a three count. Diego gets momentum back as the pair counter piledriver attempts. Both he and Stardust dropped one another down. Jimmy Uso returns. Uso is flung into Miz, on the apron who is now legal but forgotten. Uso smacks into Goldust as Michael Cole announces Jey is legal from tag from Jimmy who isn’t legal man as The  Miz still is. From knockdown tag.

The Uso’s switch tags now and then, which means neither of them are technically legal and doing all the work, but WWE forget this for real and ignore the blind tag on Miz earlier. This is WWE and their rules can be changed when they forget things for a ‘moment’ in the match. It makes them look sloppy.

El Torito then took the stage and launched onto everyone. Goldust stops his top turnbuckle climb. One of the Uso’s splashes heavy on Goldust. The Miz tags in quickly like a rat to grab the win but Mizdow tags in and covers Goldust to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. The Miz is shocked at the pin taken by his stunt double but grabs the titles and celebrates his easy opportunity to brag. Clearly WWE are going for the Kane/Daniel Bryan dysfunction angle again. Miz behaved more like Bryan too doing the jumping belt snatching and pandering for cheers. Mizdow was cheered, Miz was not. Selfish Miz keeps holding both the titles for himself. Not the best way to sell the tag titles.

Adam Rose is backstage selling merchandise with his Bunny and loser extras. Speaking of which, Titus and Slater enter to mock Rose. Rose showed a level of bitterness and possible change. As predictable and lacking is the card, Rose challenged a tag match for later in the evening. A thrown together card is not any chance “epic.”

Traditional Divas 4 on 4 Elimination match

Paige, Cameron, Summer Rae and Layla Vs Natalya w/ Tyson Kidd, Naomi, Emma and Alicia Fox

Summer Rae and Layla have magically turned nasty again after being lovely. Huh?

Paige takes the lead with Natalya guiding her to try and wrestle a non-flunkie match. Natalya uses weak non-connective knees. Baseball slide into Paige outside was ruined by Paige not selling and waiting to move and fall down with no effect. Layla tagged in. Missed kick as Emma comes in. Good roll over and back fling from Emma. Strong counters for both. Emma showing promise. Layla fighting for her place not to be sacked. Paige back in when Emma is beat down. Fluke opportunist uses weak knees on Emma who is convincing and smashes Paige back with a forearm. Paige uses the hair grab and calls her a “stupid cow” as they go to the top. Emma perfectly swings a suplex. Paige tags Cameron who barbs down on Emma. Slaps Emma after placing her on ropes from outside. “We want Mizdow!” Cameron fails to take the pin on Emma at two. Cameron tries but looks unconvincing just holding arms back and sitting there. Bland. Emma gets a little fan support and makes her way to the corner while fighting back technically. Naomi rips down Cameron, but walks into a gut kick. Reverses fling up backdrop. Alicia Fox in as Summer Rae runs in. Emma shoves her out. Natalya swing clotheslines Paige. The show is all messed now as Nat tries to stop Cameron who gets running bulldog. Cameron loses sight and Naomi rolls over Cameron to eliminate her.

Summer Rae screams as Naomi almost face down dropkicks her. The Kelly Kelly clones won’t work at this rate. Don’t copy it. Career will be over, dear. Rae dropped down on the floor and barges down the rest of the divas outside. Rae misses multiple attacks with Fox who drags in Paige. Crazy Fox takes all three divas down with cross body. Fox howls as Layla is sent in. Alicia ferociously deals with Layla. Fine, but it’s all a bit rushed and too frenzied that ruins the feel. Powerful backbreaker flip to knee to eliminate Layla.

Rae gets lifted to shoulders and misses tag to Paige. Paige cowardly moves from a Nattie attempt to attack. Paige uses a leg from outside to get a fluke attack and then enter the match. Misses a sharpshooter from Rae save. Rae is back in. Rae bashed off the apron as Paige looks over her with annoyance and throws her back in. Emma sets the pace on Rae. Locks in a very good Tarantula from nowhere. The Emma sandwich leads to a stunning submission back lock of Summer Rae who is now out of there. WWE should have given her a bit more power though to seem convincing as effect wore off a little. Emma stops Paige leaving, who is outnumbered.

Paige stomps on Emma. Emma fights back with a grasp of her leg very well. Natalya smashed with a kick. Nat flips over a strong suplex of Paige. Naomi misses a Moonsault from Paige’s knees up, both intended and a botch. Could have been bad. Naomi smashes Paige and covers her to get the victory for their team!

Pre Show

The “new and improved Fandango” has been placed with Rosa. Oh dear. He beat Justin Gabriel. Limp shouting loser Wade (Borette) Barrett came back with some “Bad News” doing the same old thing as before. Bore off. Cesaro also battled Jack Swagger in a nothing match as Cesaro is being quietly punished by WWE for speaking up on issues. He gave another powerful match well.

Panel Time!

Renee Young is with Booker T, Alex Riley and Paul Heyman.

Dean Ambrose Vs Bray Wyatt

“Don’t you know who I am? Don’t you know what it is I can do?” “I can fix you.” – Bray Wyatt.

After the opener both threw instant attacks. “Dean Ambrose doesn’t have a plan” Jerry Lawler said.

“Bray Wyatt doesn’t even know what he’s going to do” JBL responded.

Ambrose gets the advantage over Wyatt early on but both remain equals in standing, done well by all. Ambrose charges over the tope rope down smacked by an uppercut from Wyatt outside. Wyatt steps on Dean’s hand on the steps. Swift suplex over by Bray. Bray crafts Ambrose into back arm lock convincingly. Ambrose breaks free by biting. Ambrose then slammed into Wyatt, stopping his tracks. Both are knocked down outside as both run a clothesline. Countout begins as Wyatt breaks at 8 with Ambrose sliding in too. Both go face to face with headbutts and fists. Fast paced action and heavy hitting make for a strong battle. Ambrose mocks Wyatt with the crab upside down lunge from corner at the ropes.

Ambrose rolls up after frenzied interludes. Wyatt is trapped in ropes from outside as Ambrose kisses him and charges him down. Both are atop the turnbuckle as Ambrose fights off Wyatt, drops down, countered and the pair swift change until Wyatt chokeslams down Ambrose in another pressure cooker thrill.

Wyatt sits up top but misses a backdrop splash. Ambrose tries a two count. Ambrose flips to the top and elbows down Bray for two.  “This is awesome!” the crowd praise. Wyatt counters Ambrose for a powerbomb, missed and follows up with a nasty clothesline. Fantastic display. A fierce chokeslam on Dean on the steel steps outside. Wyatt gains two only. Wyatt gets a microphone and yells at Ambrose. “It didn’t have to be like this. You and me, we could have ruled the world. We’re special. I’m sorry man, but you chose your path.” Wyatt them hammers a fist at Ambrose. Wyatt reaches out for a chair from under the ring. Ambrose grabs the chair as Wyatt kneels for Ambrose to use it. Ambrose jabs the chair into Wyatt’s gut as the crowd erupts. “Ambrose made his decision” adds Michael Cole. The Dirty Deeds of Dean Ambrose is dropped as Bray Wyatt is slammed into the chair.

Ambrose gets a month too early and brings out the table. Racked and ready, Ambrose readies Wyatt. Ambrose goes high as Wyatt is on the wood plank. Dean Ambrose hurls down onto Bray Wyatt through the table to cover and win the match after. Ambrose puts another table over Wyatt and slams a chair. The Lunatic Fringe adds more chairs to the ring and throws them on Wyatt. Ambrose brings out the ladder now. Ambrose sets and climbs it. Looking out from the top Ambrose stands atop the ladder feeling victorious in snubbing Wyatt’s hand. Referee’s now enter to stop Ambrose jumping off the ladder and make him leave while tending to Wyatt.

The Authority line up their dressing room with a pre-necessary pep talk from leading guru of popularity choices Triple H. Steph highlights the prospect of earning money with a heartfelt plea for only a victory counts. This is a moment where everything changes for everyone Trips brags on about. Failure to win won’t warrant a fire. HHH will make sure you wish you were instead.

“If you’re not a champion, you never will be” Triple H says to Seth Rollins. Great way to demean your star worker. Triple H spoke way too long as usual. They were rattled though. “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!” they barked at Tripper’s boost.

Impromptu 

Adam Rose and The Bunny Vs Heath Slater and Titus O’Neil

It was quick and filled a hole, but what was the point? Adam Rose and The Bunny won.

Cena is seen giving his guys a pep talk now backstage.

WWE Divas Championship

AJ (c) Vs Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella

Brie stands behind AJ with the divas title on her shoulders as AJ is shocked. She turns around to stop Brie who kisses AJ in shock as Nikki Bella beats her down and then drops the Rack Attack to cover AJ for a three fall victory and become the new Divas championship. Her time is now. WWE replayed the Daniel Bryan moment over the Wrestlemania 28 AJ kiss loss title change. This made AJ look feeble but was passable. It would have been far better to have a longer match. WWE certainly had the time available. This would also have given both a better standing as a respected worker.

Traditional 5 on 5 Elimination Match

Team Cena Vs Team Authority

Kane, Luke Harper, Rusev w/ Lana, Seth Rolins and Mark Henry Vs John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Erick Rowan and Ryback

Having a front row seat are guests Stephanie and Tripper, The Authority.

Sheamus became injured beforehand; Luke Harper became Intercontinental champion from a shock win on television beforehand from Dolph Ziggler. Randy Orton was given a storyline injury to enhance intrigue.

Saviour of the WWE John Cena entered to huge boos. How can that be right? WWE need to figure strategy than just hope for the best.

Henry and Show start us off. Henry runs into a Knockout punch and Mark Henry is eliminated. Whoops! It is taking a bit of time to remove Henry from the ring by officials but that’s good for the fact he just been KO’ed.

The group convene as Harper distracts while superstar Seth Rollins enters to take the challenge. Strong leadership qualities here. Kane gets the tag in. Cena gets his tag to heavy upset. Cena has trouble clotheslining Kane but follows a dropkick in decent fashion. Erick Rowan squares off with Luke Harper. A swift replacement for Sheamus, Rowan was due to turn regardless, but got sped up. Seth tagged himself in. Rowan takes charge with heavy drills on Rollins.

Ryback rips into Rollins with heavy boos. The crowd is loudly intolerant to Ryback. Harper is now in instead as Ryback dismantles a prospect with a suplex. Kane in now. Ryback calls Kane “stupid” but fails to follow up with a two fall only after a splash. Rusev is now entering. Both smash fists. Rusev nabs a knee into Ryback, who failed to move closer to connect believability. The crowd chant for Ryback only for their hate for Rusev. Everyone clambers in for a beat down. Rollins curb stomps Ryback and Rusev batter rams Ryback and eliminates him from the match. Steph and Lana cheer with the finger pointing “YES!” in joy.

Big Show battles the Bulgarian Brute now. Show claps on a clutch but fails to follow a chokeslam as Harper tags in. Rollins returns to batter down Big Show. Kane comes in. Kane hits a good leg dropkick to the chest in a quick frenzy. Harper puts the Gator Roll on Show to wear down a submission. Show eventually slams down Harper to be free. IC loser Ziggler comes in now. Ziggs knocks Rollins off he apron and walks into a sidewalk slam from Harper for a close two pin. Rollins is back in. Rusev is back in.

Kane deals with Ziggles. Hard back slam swish which Cole says is the side walk slam. Not quite. Big Boot. Two fall. Harper returns. Slapped down Dolph Ziggler. Rusev back. Ziggler tries to fight back with tappy slaps as Rusev holds Ziggler over the top rope and knee jerks him hard. Seth deals now. Ziggler taking a pasting. Rollins smashed Ziggler into the corner post. It should have been three but two fall followed. Rusev applies an arm hold submission around the body well. Dolph jumps over Rusev and lands a DDT. Cena gets the tag and destroys house. Everyone gets a move. Rowan goes for a powerbomb on Rollins Flips him outside on people instead. Rusev high flies a leg kick. Rusev powerbombs Ziggler outside onto everyone.

The Spanish announce table is in play now. Ziggler is put on it as Rusev uses other table for height. Rusev goes high with a body jump splash as Ziggler slips away and Rusev smashes down through the table. Countouts are in play. Dolph makes the count as Rusev gets eliminated despite Jaime Noble and Joey Mercury trying to put him back in. Lana is dismayed. Kane picks up with Ziggs. Cena is tagged. The rapid rush Superman factor comes into play. The Five Knuckle Shuffle is followed with an Attitude Adjustment. Rollins Curb Stomp’s Cena. Cena messed it up again. Rowan and Harper get the tags and battle it out. Rowan on top. Shoves Kane off the outside. Harper gets an amazing roundhouse kick from Rowan. Wowsers! Kane tries but Rollins hits flying down charge and Harper smashes Erick Rowan down to eliminate him next.

The only guy on his feet, Big Show takes the challenge. All three stare him down. Cena gets to his feet as Big Show then smacks John Cena in the face with the KO punch. Seth Rollins clambers over John Cena as Stephanie cheers like nuts. Show shakes the hand of Triple H. Show then walks away. Show should have laid down to be pinned instead of walking out for stronger match effect. It was passable though.  Big Show is counted out.

Dolph Ziggler is the last man left. Steph gloats in Cena’s face. Soon enough Authority stronghold Kane gets eliminated by Dolph. Luke Harper then gets eliminated by Ziggler in quick fashion. Rollins is left.  Cheap roll up and a close two fall on Rollins from chance move by spot monkey Ziggler.

Ziggler climbs up top. Rollins jump misses and is knocked by a Fame Asser by Ziggs. Mercury comes in as Ziggler attacks. Two fall cover as Triple H sneakily pulls the ref out. It was rather stupid to let Rollins look so weak to punitive Ziggler. Noble and Mercury get stopped by Ziggler and knocked into Stephanie on the apron off into HHH outside. The Authority is down. Superkick to Mercury but Dolph misses Rollins. Many interactions as Ziggler gets another pin on Seth. Triple H then punches ref Rod Zapata. You b*tch. Lol. Triple H clotheslines down Ziggler. Hunter smashes down the Pedigree on Ziggs to keep his power. Triple H places Rollins over Ziggler as a ref arrives. Scott Armstrong arrives for The Authority and then WWE bring out… Sting!

WCW’s own has been and failed TNA washed up ignorance arrived. The rip-off Undertaker and modern age Max Waltham black and white paint charade arrived. The self-professed ICW got their boners. Look at bigger picture once the novelty wears off. It was a very lukewarm entrance to arrive, stand, stare down, attack Triple H and leave.

HHH lunges for Sting. Sting then backdrops Triple H. Sting then places Ziggler over Seth Rollins who are still somehow out of it for a good three to five minutes at least. Dolph Ziggler gets the cheap victory over Seth Rollins and survives by the skin of his fluke teeth. John Cena congratulates Ziggler who won thanks to Sting, an ignorant, honourable man helping him cheat.

Stephanie awakes to shock and realisation.

Oh No, No, Nooooooooooooooo! NaNaNaNahhh….

Both realise their power days are over. It’s back to running NXT Tripper.

“NaNaNaNa…” the crowd sing the song as a new theme song for The Authority.

“It’s not over!” Stephanie yells.

“You got fired” the crowd chant.

Stephanie goes ballistic in the ring! As the PPV draws to a close and The Authority’s leading days are seemingly over.

PPV Rating – 6/10

Men/Women of their matches – Damien Sandow, Emma, Bray Wyatt, Heath Slater, AJ, Seth Rollins

Man/Woman of the PPV – Emma

Survivor Series lately has the tradition of causing rifts with fans. For WWE they feel they can’t win and resort afterward to the same formula of the past instead once fans on the internet mindset complain. For fans their point is clear, they are frustrated that the show became so meekly booked to begin with. It wasn’t strong enough to gain sales with only Cena and another man of Triple H’s minute for popularity by using Ziggler either. Fans don’t want shoehorned matches thrown together at the last moment. They want a meaning and logical point to the build of such stakes. Why would they bother to fight The Authority too? Fans require strong names, good scenarios and a level of reason.  Last year’s Orton/Show main event was pants. No-one can remember the card. This year is a one match endeavour. That’s shambolic. Injuries have taken competitors away including Randy Orton, Sheamus and others. Some faked, some real, WWE have no big names other than John Cena. All the more reason to establish future. WWE cannot make a show with just John Cena alone. Even he needs people to pose a challenge, even though Cena will destroy all their momentum and plow through them. WWE decided to combat this, it would give the show away for free and provide surprises that made it “epic” instead. The secret, however was that the Network didn’t offer the show for free. You had to sign up with a payment option to be tricked into a six month signage to aces the ‘free’ show. Genius.

Sting’s arrival in WWE was for a record book and money making exercise only. It wasn’t for the fans. It was an attempt to influence sales of the disastrous Network and enhance merchandise sales. WWE are desperate. So much so that they booked Sting to try and hide that notion. Once the novelty of the ageing old timer wears off, what can Sting honestly bring to WWE as an old has been not even relatable to younger fans and not fully engaged with the modern ones living out a mild fantasy for two minutes? Ignorant, self-0centrerd and only there for the money, sting doesn’t care one bit for the fans, despite his character attempts. Dupe the fans and get the cash. Don’t be so easily played WWE Universe. It’s another John Cena moment with a rip off version to an old and modern ball grasper of the wrestling industry with Undertaker and Waltham.

Absent is the WWE champion as well, for a second running PPV. What show are WWE running here? With champ Brock Lesnar already seeking another jump back to the UFC arena, whilst wearing WWE’s transit championship, WWE needed to book a match or ditch the title from him in a TV/PPV loss. The title, resigned to nothingness, in no man’s land, is detrimental to business, company and performer. The title has lost its lineage and needs to be fixed instantly. As much a supporter of Lesnar we may be, there can be no reasoning to hold up the title. This is supposed to be the company’s flagship focal point. No man is bigger than they company, as once noted by WWE HQ themselves.

The surprise should have been used. WWE had two or three in place. Randy Orton, Sting and the hidden option. WWE should have caused Brock Lesnar to help The Authority and cost John Cena the win. Then Seth Rollins, who would have been eliminated, could have cashed in a won the title after Cena responds by battering Lesnar. The Authority could easily have lost and had this in place too, but I’m not going to tell you everyway all the time.

The tag off free PPV on the WWE Network all this November was no real selling point for an increase in sales. Lack of good content was not enough to produce such flocking surge of sales. Now, with WWE having a lot of performers out for whatever reason and only Cena, the company’s most divisive figure front of house, WWE still, after seven or more years failed to allow anyone through the main event blockade. Rollins is breaking past, but Antonio Cesaro is being blocked. Roman Reigns, Dolph Ziggler and others are not reliable. WWE cannot simply wait for them. Calling up mid card level to main event level in WWE’s mind might be strange but Damien Sandow, Curtis Axel (quietly relegated to Superstars to fill space) and NXT fringes are required. More coming on this at a soon but later date. Charlotte of course is and should come up as noted previously.

Some are capable of the main event floatation; others can replace them by calling up some but not all of NXT stars. It has never been more crucial for WWE to launch the new breed once again and fill up the surplus they take out of NXT. Talented people instead of silly favourites with no real skill for Triple H’s popularity machine need to be prioritised. Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Callihan and Kallisto won’t be the ones we want to envisage despite the “call up Paige” screams for internet ramblers. They are all distant failures. And they will fail. That’s a cast iron guarantee. They won’t be the future of the WWE, nor even NXT and were ‘orgasmic’ impulse hires by Triple ‘ I can prove to Vince I’m good enough’ H. Being good is not hiring what fickle fans bleat on about to feel a part of the WWE Universe. What makes them expert is finding real, relatable talent, not popularity or models. No-one said Seth Rollins was the bread winner of the future except for Max Waltham. Seth Rollins is the only star that we knew had the goods. You cannot deny this is apparent. Rollins is breaking the chain to the top imminently. He is the leader of WWE’s new age, but he cannot do it alone. Cesaro needs the main event boost. Axel should be brought up to the mid-card with Sandow, individually. NXT should import the high flying Briton with sheer skill. The rest, mentioned above, need to be let go. WWE has lost most of its workforce and more likely to come over the WWE Network launch and the new lot from NXT. WWE would have been in a stronger position if it maintained old stock with a few releases than all releases to make way for NXT newbies. Get rid of them all except for Finn Balor. He can wait two years to develop.  He isn’t that mesmeric as often perceived though there are plans for him.

The tag titles were a good multi match of interest. Miz and Mizdow where the only real options, but WWE are intent on making Damien ‘Max Waltham’ Sandow a joke character than a professional star that he is. He is loved by the public for his skill,(shocking) and is capable of his standards available. Lumbered with The Miz is detrimental to him. WWE need to dump Miz from him and push hard on Sandow. Miz needs future endeavours. He has reached his peak and is always given minor titles that no-one can believe is credible. He has nothing new to offer and it is probably better someone leaves on a decent note of their career than an awful one. It would have been better for Los Matadores to hold the tiles. Seriously. 

The traditional divas was a good match. What a shocker. When given enough time, even still rushed and a chance with fairly decent wrestling skills on show the divas can flourish. This was a good battle and everyone benefitted from it, even fluke diva Paige. Emma is clearly a star and worked fluently, technically and was the star of the show, shadowed by over-hype. Her skill is high and needs a boost. She displayed a bright future if WWE give her wrestling chances over comedy routines. She has it.

AJ was clearly going to lose. Rightly so, the title needed to switch to Bella. If she didn’t win it now, she never would. Her momentum is high and the title win seems to have repair the Bellas recent split. Is that lovely? False rumours continue to swirl around AJ including a family beginning for her and former WWE star and husband CM Punk. Whether true or not, AJ had to lose to enhance the division and make both performers meaningful. The problem was making it entirely brief. Both could have showed what they are capable of to earn true respect from fans with levels of excitement as well.

The team battle sold a lot of new talent and used Mark Henry well. It gave them allsoemthing and none really outstayed their welcome. Well, almost all. Dolph Ziggler only stayed so long because Sheamus was originally intended to be in his place. With a real injury Ziggler was the only back up option WWE had. Ever the dependable beau, Ziggler is nothing more than fodder for WWE. That is never a quality for any star to be placed into. His action is weak and desperate. WWE should have re-made the show with more of Cesaro, Axel, Sandow and Lesnar/Cena/Rolllins. Maybe next month, then.

WWE could launch a new group if it bothered, but it doesn't wish too. A supergroup of Cesaro, Orton and Axel would be good, but WWE would have to switch them and figure out new ways forward. Difficult when stuck in the past.

Fire Ryback. For real. He won’t ever grow. Do it now.

Ambrose and Wyatt was an epic challenge making the best of both young and developing stars. Wyatt can’t win all the time to give his opponents a chance, but WWE need to present him stronger as a supernatural being that has higher meaning than average man.

Post Survivor Series is often the ‘Wrestlemania season’ in terms of WWE planning. Holding Lesnar off till a defence in April is far too long for an absent title, no matter how invincible he seems. This direction was not thought through properly and hence this is the shabby result. Plus having a star who is secretly planning to jump, no matter how much we love him, is not acceptable as leading champion. Careful how cards are played Brock and WWE, this is 2004 all over again.

Once again, it was missed opportunities with a cheap plug of Sting to try and sell the Network pulling wool over fan eyes as entertaining. If the fans are willing to allow themselves to be duped then WWE will be laughing all the way to the bank. The only problem is that not only will WWE, the stars and the wrestling business suffer, the fans will not get any entertainment business or value. This is because they placed themselves into the bracket of accepting whatever bone is thrown to them. Now WWE will plan to feed anything it wants and expect you to willingly accept anything on offer.

© Max Waltham 25^th November 2014

WWE Hell in a Cell 2014

WWE Hell in a Cell 2014

Live on Sunday 26th October 2014 from the American Airlines Centre in Dallas, Texas, WWE presented its sixth annual Hell in a Cell themed Pay Per View. Would WWE use this to craft out a future foundation with two new upstarts among its two most stable performers? Could it also be bothered to help the lower cast talent in their attempts to have an all rounded approach or would WWE become forgetful for the big effects?

Let’s find out… 

Intercontinental Championship

2 out of 3 Falls

Dolph Ziggler (c) Vs Antonio Cesaro

The pair begin with holds by one another. A shoulder barge takes a technical side from Cesaro holding down Ziggler. Dolph missed a chance with a neckbreaker and dropkick as Cesaro goes for the Cesaro Swing instead. Ziggler cheaply reverses for a two fall pin. Cesaro drops Ziggler outside before bringing him back in for another Swing attempt. After taking a two count on Dolph Ziggler, the bleach blonde flowing champ rolled up Cesaro for a three fall cheap pin to get a 1-0 lead.

Cesaro returns with fists as the referee separates them to start the second fall. Cesaro lands the running uppercut for a two fall. Cesaro misses an elbow drop of the turnbuckle. Ziggler takes charge again. Cesaro returns with dominating offense now failing to get a pinfall. Ziggler locks on a sleeper hold as Cesaro climbs with the hold locked on. Cesaro turns it into a powerful suplex for another two fall. Cesaro catches Ziggler in mid-air with an uppercut. Two fall. Ziggler goes for a two count too. The pair counter one another. Ziggler was allowed to block the Neutralizer and smashed a lucky superkick from nowhere to follow the Zig Zag on Antonio Cesaro as Dolph Ziggler clambers over Cesaro for the win and overall series at two falls to nil. This made Cesaro look entirely weak with an extraordinary sell proving how underutilised he truly is. 

Nikki Bella Vs Brie Bella

• Become winner’s Personal Assistant or Leave WWE

Fighting it out once more the Total Divas finally went at it. Brie received “YES!” chants from the crowd. The pair take their moments each before were back to square one. Brie misses a corner moment as Nikki runs into an elbow. Brie charges onto Nikki’s shoulders as Nikki drops her down to the ground with a back breaker. Nikki hits knees into Brie’s face.  Fans chant for “JBL” since becoming bored. Brie counters to her feet and plants a Facebuster on Nikki for a two fall. Brie runs the ropes and charges outside at Nikki, trying to recharge. Brie lands a top turnbuckle dropkick back inside for another two count. Nikki counters with corner action and hits the Rack Attack for a two count. Brie uses the YES! Lock from her absent husband as Nikki reaches the rope break with her sneakers. Nikki whacks Brie with a ferocious forearm smash. Nikki Bella follows through with another Rack Attack to cover Brie Bella and win the match with a three fall victory. 

WWE Tag Team Championship

The Uso’s Vs Stardust and Goldust (c)

Stardust begins talking trash and slapped down instead. Jey Uso leads the ring action. Goldust enters as Jey remains in charge. Jimmy tags in to help double team. Stardust re-tags in and Goldust helps turn the battle around. Goldust comes back in with a hard slam gfor a two fall. The ‘dust’s continue to tag back and forth. Goldust then runs into an uppercut aas Jimmy dumps Goldie to the ground. Jey receives the tag and jumps on Goldust outside. Stardust is sent out as well. Jey then bounds over on him to the crowd delight. Jey returns Goldust to the ring and flies the cross body for a near three fall at two. The Samoan Drop was also added for another two count. The Rikish splash took another two fall. Stardust was taken out again as Goldie nailed a spinebuster for a clos two cont. Goldie uses chops in the corner to wear down the Uso. Ducking and throwing back an elbow gave the Uso’s more time. Goldust was smacked with a stunning superkick. The Uso’s soon both climbed corners with both their opponents. All are down after a superplex sensation drops everyone. Stardust then lands a cheap shot as legal man Goldust plants his finisher to halt both Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso to keep hold of the tag titles. 

Hell in a Cell

Randy Orton Vs John Cena

• Winner becomes #1 contender to Brock Lesnar's WWE World Heavyweight Championship

The winner of this battle will gain a number one contenders spot against absent WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar at a forthcoming Pay Per View. 

WWE’s two strongest players decided to go at it. Orton, clad in new and delicious grey tights took on dark black lower back shorts and arm-banded Cena. Cena battled back on the inner outside by the steps and cage wall. Cena was tapped into the wall and bounced off with no show of steel collision. A quick two fall in the ring came from Rand. Orton brings a chair into the ring. Cena blocks with a Fisherman’s Suplex. Orton comes back with head-butts. Cena gets smacked with the chair to the face as Orton takes a two count. 

The chair is placed into the corner between the ropes. Smooth DDT from sweet baby Orton. Another two fall only. Sweaty and tired Orton uses his stamina to slam Cena into the outside steps and pushes Cena into the steel wall. “Let’s Go Randy” from some fans was heard as Cena kicked out of another two fall. The Cena chants of indifference began when “Cena Sucks” started.

Cena jumped a clothesline on Randy to change the pace. Some close falls from Cena before both took a slowed down approach. Cena flung Orton outside carelessly as “that bought Cena some time” Michael Cole quipped.

Cena, holding Orton sideways push tapped him into the steel, which had no aggression whatsoever. Orton then slammed Cena from the corner post with effective power. This truly highlights the difference between wrestler and personality.

Orton took another two fall. Cena jumped over the ropes as a throw from Orton in a silly comedy fashion. Fans, so annoyed, calmly asked for an “RKO” as Cena started throwing Orton around the inner cage structure from the ring. Cena pulls out a table from under the ring. Orton cleverly pushed the tip of the table over as Cena tried to drop him through it and countered swiftly. Orton kept taking the near falls all over. Cena kicked out so quickly and so easily with no resistance that it makes fans lose interest, regardless of how great his opponent works for him.

Cena slid stopped the table clash as Orton dropped a thunderous RKO to rapture in the crowds. Cena instantly kicked out at two so easily which again detracted slightly. Cena was then smashed into the table with vicious intent from Orton, but Cena just dropped into it making an empty moment. Tables should be big deals and Cena blew the spot. He kicked out quick again with a two count.

Rand began dismantling the steel steps to bring into play. “Cena has not moved” JBL said after two to three minutes of Orton getting the steps to the centre of the ring. Orton pounds the mat as Cena rises and then back slams Orton into the steps with a follow up of five knuckle shuffle jump down looking entirely weak. Orton avoids an Attitude Adjustment to grab Cena’s knackers with a low blow. Those are legal in this battle, as Cole informs us. It may be dirty, but it’s allowed.  Orton lusciously licks his tongue as he stands over Cena with his towering abs and dripping sweat to limber up for a punt. He misses as Cena applies the no pressure STF hold. Cena’s comedy routine with open mouth and extended arms away from Orton’s jaw were as ludicrous as ever. It seems Cena can never be bothered to make it more effective and believable. 

Cena lifts the steps above his head in Superman fashion and hurls them over at Orton outside. This is the typical Cena routine in Hell structures. It looks insanely weak for him. Cena jumped up from the ground inside and just dropped Orton with a chance AA. Fast paced action is one thing, but that wasn’t it.

Cena slowly drops a second AA as Orton slammed a hugely amazing RKO counter on shoulder drop as Orton kept possuming. “Cena survived again” Cole tells us from the kick out. Cena tried to get a win but two fall again on Orton since his big move again. 

Cena brings in another table. Orton tried to stop Cena’s attempt when climbing the turnbuckle with a counter as Cena superplexed Orton off the top and through the table to get the win and cover Randy Orton for a John Cena victory and future title opportunity at Brock Lesnar’s heavyweight title. 

United States Championship

The Miz w/ Damien Sandow Vs Sheamus  (c)

The announcing duties of Cody Rhodes’ wife Eden is just horrible. WWE released Justin Roberts only two weeks ago, after Raw. WWE are testing out a female lead who isn’t Lillian Garcia and attempting to create a future whilst saving Renee Young for future broadcasting panels. Roberts departure was necessary but his replacement needs to be thought more clearly of.

Both trade blows as Miz is flung by Sheamus in a hip toss. Mizdow shares Miz’s pain on the outside as his stunt double miming all his actions. Miz gets the chops on the ropes treatment as Sandow places himself on the bottom ropes providing humour as Sheamus clubs away for ten.

Miz tries to use Sandow as bait for Sheamus who moves and Sandow is hit by Miz instead. Miz now takes an advantage over Sheamus in a quick turn of events by lucky changes. Sandow provides great humour outside where needed to get through the strain of both Miz and Sheamus in a match together. 

Sheamus runs at Miz in the corner to be lifted and shoved outside. Sheamus charges from the top turnbuckle for a two fall. Lacklustre Miz counters and charges as Sheamus takes control. Miz makes a sloppy non sell of backbreaker takeover. Cheap knees to the face of Sheamus and DDT follow. 

“Mizdow’s awesome! The crowd acknowledge. Miz rolls Sheamus around as a crushing backslam stops the wannabe star. Mizdow tells Sheamus not to do so on the apron as Miz rolls Sheamus over. Sheamus counters but the ref is busy with Mizdow. Miz cheaply rolls over the champ again but fails to win at two only from a Skull Crushing Finale. 

Sheamus smashes a Brogue Kick from nowhere on a declining Miz from the turnbuckle to retain the United States Championship in another lukewarm victory.

Mizdow lies on the floor feeling Miz’s pain. Sheamus plays with loser Miz to encourage Sandow’s miming humour. Sheamus makes them do the classic YMCA dance. Even JBL joins in. Yeehaw! Then a Brogue Kick ends the fun and games. It’s fun to stay at the… Y-M-C-A!!!!!!!!!!

Brie Bella packs luggage into the car as Nikki wants her smoothie she asked for from her sis. Trying to make amends with Nikki, Brie gets smothered in the smoothie, tipped all over her. “That was for you” Nikki says before leaving in the car. 

Rusev w/ Lana Vs Big Show

Ravishing Russian Lana, in a pretty in pink, sheen suit looked exactly that.

She asked the crowd to “Shut Up.” Lovely Lana asked for silence to listen to the Russian Anthem as Big Show then clambered out to greet Rusev instead. 

Big Show began clubbing Rusev into the corner. Big Show missed a big boot as Rusev blocked and slammed it down on his shoulders to take control. Rusev quickly worked down the legs of Show well and both looked very good at this.

The match slowed where Rusev worked over Show, who feigned pain convincingly. Show then used his tree trunk leg, as Cole put it, around Rusev to break free. Rusev flipped a powerful suplex to keep in charge. Show countered Rusev tying his legs up into a pretzel back body twist hold effectively. Rusev reached the rope to break free. 

Big Show changed pace and took control with a chokeslam attempt but was stopped by a walking Mark Henry down the ramp joining the match outside. Rusev turned Show over and placed him into the Camel Crush Accolade to beat Big Show in a smooth battle for the big behemoths. This was both their finest work to date. 

Mark Henry checked on Show as a dishonourable turn was being teased weeks into tonight. The two remained friends, at least for now. 

WWE Divas Championship

AJ (c) Vs Paige w/ Alicia Fox

AJ carries Paige through the battle as Paige uses headlock start ups and shove downs as usual with no impact. AJ keeps good flow and a high roundhouse kick to Paige. Outside Alicia goes for AJ. AJ jumps on Paige as flunkie Paige grabs AJ and flings her into the outside barricade unconvincingly. 

Novice diva Paige misses a head-butt on lying down AJ and stands around stalling for time looking clueless. She screams. Weak and unconnective knees and another yell fool nobody. AJ kicks out at one. Paige takes an easy submission on AJ whilst adding no emphasis or thrill to the match. Quieter than usual from the crowd, Paige keeps the match empty, loose and boring. AJ runs into a leg boot of Paige to keep the match interesting. AJ clips an impressive boot jab to Paige’s face to escape weardown. Two fall follows. Alicia pounds the outside in support for Paige. AJ locks on a body to a body wrap around hold. Paige counters, holding AJ to flipping her over. Paige taps AJ into the corner barricade again with no skill. A black man dressed in a white man muscle body suit and a Bray Wyatt fan sitting next to Mankind (not the real loser) was a joy in the crowd. They went back into the ring as Paige hit her head on the barricade on a counter. Alicia helped her back in the ring as AJ locked on the Black Widow submission to defeat fluke challenger Paige. Failure Paige attacked Alicia with a tap kick afterwards. Alicia was literally foxed by Paige’s selfish behaviour since failing to win. 

Hell in a Cell

Dean Ambrose Vs Seth Rollins

Ambrose came to the ring with a kendo stick and pulled lots of chairs from under the ring into the match. Ambrose decided to climb the top of the Cell now instead. Channelling The Sandman may be revolutionary but WWE need to book Ambrose well and not too much as a gimmick if to connect on a wider scale. For now, let’s see how it goes. It’s a start, I suppose.

Rollins arrives with the sweet chipmunk come water otter Jaime Noble and baldie Joey Mercury. They need some miracle grow though. Noble in tights is a win win. Corporate is a bit lacking. 

Oh no! Noble and Mercury are climbing both sides of the structure to reach Ambrose. Both ask Ambrose to go to the ring as the Kendo stick maniac unloads on them both. Rollins has climbed the side and ambushes Rollins up top as they both fight. The Authority stooges Noble and Mercury join in on an Ambrose beatdown. Rollins calls for Ambrose to be hurled off the cage as Ambrose fights them away. Rollins tries to climb off the cage as Ambrose stops him. Noble stops Ambrose as both Rollins and Dean descale the cell. Ambrose gets Rollins on the cell as both punch each other. Ambrose smashes a blow at Rollins as both then fall to the ground, crashing through the announce tables below. Ambrose dropped after Rollins. The crowd didn’t fully go wild, as it was slightly mistimed and awkward to place into history books, but enough to bypass for the momentary thrill. It was a tremendous ask of both, which the pair worked well with. Our favourite will always be the six-man, Undertaker-Rikishi chokeslam. That was epic. As a new age moment it was still okay. 

Ambrose breaks free from his stretcher and goes for Rollins untying him and flinging him into the cell. He smacks the cell door on Rollins and screams for the cell to be locked. Now the match officially begins as the cage is locked.

Ambrose finds duct tape in his bag of goodies. Hurt by Rollins taking control of his Shield supergroup breakdown, Dean dashes out chair smashes to Seth. Failing to accept his flaws, Ambrose blames Rollins for The Shield’s closure. Ambrose running dropkicks Rollins into the side cage perfectly. He sets a table in the cage wall corner and lifts Rollins up but Seth reverses free. Ambrose running launches at Seth through the ring to the cage wall.  Rollins fights off Ambrose suplexes twice and puts Ambrose into the chairs in the ring instead. Rollins adds another table to the mix. Titled from outside to in the ring edge by the apron, Rollins tries to suplex Ambrose over onto it but falls onto the table instead. Ambrose goes to the turnbuckle and elbow drops Rollins through. 

Ambrose shoves Rollins’ face into the steel as Kane craftily lets off smoke in Ambrose’s face through the cell with an extinguisher. Rollins powerbomb smashes Ambrose into the other corner table from earlier. 

Seth running footstomps over Ambrose for a two fall in-ring. Rollins brings in his briefcase and then smashes chair attacks on Ambrose. A swift flurry of powerful counter attacks and a clothesline for Ambrose who grabbed the case in an opportunistic flurry to smash Rollins instead. Ambrose finds cinder blocks from beneath the ring and brings them into play. 

The lights in the arena darken and a weird voice is heard chanting. 

A lantern is in the middle of the ring with smoke billowing out and a hologramic image inside. Then a figure jumps out and attacks Ambrose. It was Bray Wyatt! Bray Wyatt arrives in the crab leering over Ambrose, face to face. Wyatt bodyslams him to the mat. 

Wyatt kisses the forehead of Ambrose and plants Sister Abigail. Seth Rollins covered Dean Ambrose amid the confusion to be crowned the victor in the pair’s first Hell in a Cell outing with fans looking toward two future players to develop. Both can be proud of their actions this evening for the greater good of stabilising WWE as workable and growing options. 

PPV Rating – 5/10

Men/Women of their matches – Antonio Cesaro, Nikki Bella, Jey Uso, Randy Orton, Damien Sandow, Big Show, AJ, Seth Rollins 

Man/Woman of the PPV – Bray Wyatt

Big Show and Rusev entered their finest work for a long time tonight. Both have improved their game drastically. Small tweaks give the greatest of change. Proof that if you sit back, think and try hard enough, you can enter a great show. Let’s hope they don’t get complacent and fall back into comforting habits. Will WWE keep Big Show and Mark Henry together as a team or turn them? The answer is obvious as WWE usually turn either of the pair many times and feel both cannot be on the same side at the same time. We’ll have to see how WWE plays, but maybe the pair can at least tag on the post Raw.

The tag battle with the ‘dusts was always the most ludicrous decision to change the titles for. Still on them, the tag division is a joke and both of them aren’t really working out. If WWE are serious about the division it will get more teams and keep the competition available, especially with the ever workable Uso’s.   

The Divas division is also an empty one. While AJ holds it together with flunkies like Paige, no one else is available. While the ‘no title on Total Divas’ rule is right to enforce, the credibility of the title is waning. All thanks to putting it on Paige multiple times has proved costly. WWE need to put new challengers into the fray. Paige doesn’t have it and fails as a pure prospect in the ring. Triple H’s attempt to get fans on side by selecting favourite ‘men of the minute’ NXT call ups has added another failure to the show, ratings and WWE management ploy. Hire or call up capable divas. Sasha Banks should have been brought up but Triple H thought Paige was better because everyone was raving about her as fans on the internet often do. How did that turn out? They turned on her because they realised she couldn’t own it on the main shows. Look to Bayley and others as well. If there is a strong place for the chicks of NXT to hatch on Raw then the time would be now. 

Orton and Cena battled again. WWE are fast running out of options for Cena opponents. This one hasn’t been done in a while for WWE standards. It was a decent encounter, but mostly held by Randy alone. Failing to be respected fully, Orton, who is now signed to a part time contract, proves WWE need to stop neglecting its stars and boost its potential for the future. Cena and Orton will not be there forever. However, the time they still spend their, they have still got multiple years in them and need good, new challengers to play with. WW only have these two to try and build the new crew in WWE land. Options are running out fast. 

Rollins and Ambrose were allowed to be the main event. This was encouraging but somewhat distant at the same time. They needed bigger build up than the previous Raw’s coasting along. Nevertheless both pro’s made it work but it lacked a little magic and finesse overall. The angle off the cage was too difficult to fully control and lost a few hardcore fans. However, the match had a great outcome, led to new feuds and boosted both young stars going forward with fresher options. Their battle was cool but was only really a brawl. While this is Ambrose’s thing, it needs to be controlled so that it doesn't veer off in fan appreciation as a one dimensional act.

The Bella battle which saw the pair get back together as quick as they feuded for a Total Divas special new series has turned fans off. After tonight’s outcome, WWE can keep the month long program working but need to figure something better out long term. Fans are bored of the sisterly stupidity with no real reason behind it. 

Cesaro and Ziggler was a letdown. Why WWE make stipulations that they don’t even care about is baffling. Cesaro, even though had a strong presence, looked like a plus one stooge to the lacking credibility of Dolph Ziggler. Dolph can’t be a star WWE need and needs to drop the title soon. WWE should set a three way with Miz and Mizdow to pass the strap to Sandow on Raw and free up Ziggler, who plans to enter John Cena’s Survivor series team. Or WWE should drop him form the team to give Sandow a PPV win to raise the prestige of the IC title instead. Ziggler cannot carry it and is simply a loser with it. The fans don’t respect it or him. Forgetting about it won’t make it disappear. Cesaro was also not allowed to be a star credible of main and mid event status. 

In efforts to boost Ziggler, WWE ruined Cesaro once again. Cesaro, the most over of the two, had the most chance to be a respected star the Universe wants to see. Instead WWE banked on Ziggler, who has yet to do anything of interest and be a star in any right with WWE, let alone as a spare holder of an empty championship now often plagued as a punishment than a privilege. Maybe it was better Cesaro didn’t win, then. However WWE need to boost Cesaro to a heavier role in the company instead of relying on the absent Roman Reigns and some extras in transit to fill a hole. 

For WWE, reaLising the UK is a big market, should have advertised strongly that since the UK clocks go back one hour, fans were to lose one hour of programming. While not their fault, WWE will have naturally lost a few Brit fans in the confusion of clocks going back an hour, as is always the case this time of year. For Hell in a Cell, constantly dirty endings in the past have been causing the show to be rubbish from fan suggestions. 

However, unlike previous years where that view is warranted, this is far better as an ending and new beginning. It has set both Wyatt and Ambrose on a new path and given Rollins a chance to move further from an already dragging story between Ambrose. All three could be future prospects in WWE and letting them shine is the only way to create such future. 

A win for Ambrose would have meant nothing. However, the question remains, how much of that will be wasted again when Triple H returns his new ally and money taking sell out Chris Jericho, who after Wyatt tried to remain his star from Cena ruining it over the Summer, saw Jericho rip it apart entirely for the ‘thrill’ of ‘working with Wyatt’ to boost Jericho’s popularity. Jericho left after destroying Wyatt’s presence.

It was the first PPV which WWE did not host the World title which was quite disappointing. Despite Brock Lesnar being a great star, this should never have happened where the title was relegated to nothingness. WWE need to rectify its approach to diminishing its prestige with title and workforce. 

For WWE, the future still has a very long way to go. Whether they have no choice but to be financially pressured into it, WWE should not reward titles to those who they think are favourites and build instead on the talent available, which is vast. If WWE finally do this, as mentioned countless times, they may stand a chance at keeping a real future in place as WWE's most likeable and veteran stars are not as reliable as once thought. We really cannot rely on Triple H and his 'pot luck/pick and mix' attitude, either. Old hires, also, do not increase a newly defining wrestling age. 

© Max Waltham 28th October 2014