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Coming out of Hell in a Cell, the landscape of WWE has definitely changed. Let's take a quick look at last night's card:
-Daniel Bryan d The Miz and John Morrison with the Labell Lock in a Submissions Count Anywhere Match to retain the United States Championship. It was a solid opener with good action, but making this a submission match with two guys who don't have submissions took away from it. Plus, I don't need to see Morrison doing his wacky gymnastics all over the arena. ***1/2
-Randy Orton d Sheamus in a Hell in a Cell match to retain the WWE Championship. This was a slow and plodding match that dragged until the end. The last few minutes were good, but these guys don't work well together because both have a slow, unexciting style. There was no purpose of having this match in the Cell. ***
-Edge d jack Swagger. Edge as a face sucks. I don't know why they felt the need to try and turn him again, because it never works. This match had no heat. It was a basic TV match. Not PPV quality. **
-Wade Barrett d John Cena for John Cena to join The Nexus. I really liked this match. It had a ton of heat, and Cena did a good job of carrying Barrett to a good match. I usually complain about over worked finishes, but it should make sense here since it looks like Husky Harris and McGuillicutty are joining The Nexus. ***3/4
-Natayla d Michelle McCool via DQ. This was one of the best Divas matches we've seen in ages. Unfortunately the finish came when Layla threw her shoe in the ring causing McCool to get disqualified but keep the title. **
-Kane d The Undertaker to retain the World Title. This was the worst WWE main event match in ages. Taker just doesn't have it anymore, and Kane never did. Add to the fact that once Paul Bearer got involved, everything turned to slow motion, it was painful to watch. I really don't want this program to continue. Worst match of the night, and it closed the show. *1/2.
I would give this show a 6/10. It was fine and noteworthy, but the dud of a main event really brought it down.
I also took two important things out of this show outside of the matches themselves. First, like I've said before, forcing gimmick matches because it's that time of year kills the gimmick match. There was no reason for either of the matches last night to take place inside the Hell in a Cell. Second, Hell in a Cell needs to be dropped in the PG WWE world. The lack of blood and violence kills these matches and makes the Cell pointless. The Cell didn't come into play in either of the matches. The announcers kept telling us how dangerous the Cell was. Well, we never got to see it.
As I said, things are about to get very interesting in WWE. Cena being forced to join The Nexus is the biggest move in literally years in WWE. There are a million ways this one could play out. WWE could turn this into a MAJOR money angle if done correctly. However, if they have jokey Cena making fun of The Nexus every week until he leaves the group by the next PPV, then it was a complete waste, and only served to bury The Nexus once and for all. If I were booking WWE, here's what I would do which is a guaranteed huge money program.
-First and most importantly, this angle cannot be rushed. This should be a long program, going all the way through WrestleMania.
-Barrett forces Cena to be The Nexus's enforcer.
-Cena carries out the task of attacking faces and authority figures in WWE against his will.
-Cena never once cuts a joking promo about The Nexus or any type of overly scripted promo. Cena should be virtually silent during this time, just using facials to show his disapproval of the acts he's being forced to commit.
-Around The Royal Rumble, Cena finally has his opportunity to gain his freedom from The Nexus. When he has the chance, he turns, and reveals he has been the leader of The Nexus the entire time.
-This will then set up a huge WrestleMania main event with Cena facing any of the following: The Undertaker, HHH, Randy Orton.
Unfortunately, I just can't see WWE doing an angle that lasts more than 3 weeks. It will be a real shame, because I just see this concluding with Cena breaking out of The Nexus and burying them all.
As for everything else tonight, it's being reported that The Bragging Rights teams will take shape tonight. As I've said earlier, I have zero interest in the Bragging Rights PPV. They advertise it as the one time a year that the Raw roster battles the Smackdown roster. Except for the fact that they switch shows every other week.
I'd be shocked if we see Orton vs Sheamus again. The match wasn't great last night. Maybe they move onto the rumored Orton and Miz program.
I have no idea what they're doing with John Morrison. Goofy jumping will only get you so far. He desperately needs a heel turn.
I would guess Daniel Bryan is done with The Miz. Does he face Alex Riley next? I don't know who else fits into the US Title picture.
Rhodes and McIntyre were completely buried on Smackdown. Maybe they can get buried again tonight.
