A2Z Analysiz: WWE Hell in a Cell 2010 (Kane, Undertaker)

PPVs, Reviews, Wrestling DVDs

American Airlines Arena – Dallas, Texas – October 3, 2010

Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker are on commentary.

MATCH #1: Triple Threat Submissions Count Anywhere Match for the United States Championship – Daniel Bryan vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz

Bryan has been the champion since 9.19.10 and this is his first defense. Everyone makes good use of the stipulation in the early going, trying some unique submissions. Bryan even busts out Cattle Mutilation and Striker gets made fun of for knowing what it’s called. All three fight down the aisle and through the crowd. Of course Morrison jumps off of the set to wipe out both opponents. Morrison uses the Texas Cloverleaf and Cole actually namedrops Dean Malenko, but Miz’s apprentice Alex Riley comes out and hurls Morrison down the aisle. That gives Bryan the chance to cinch Miz in the LeBell Lock and Miz taps out at 13:34! That was ridiculously fun and a hot opener; even Cole now admits that Daniel Bryan is the Real Deal.
Rating: ***¾

MATCH #2: Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship – Randy Orton vs. Sheamus

Orton has been the champion since 9.19.10 and this is his first defense. This is the twentieth ever Hell in a Cell match; the third for Orton (1-1) and the first for Sheamus. Despite never having competed in the Cell before, Sheamus dominates the opening minutes and utilizes the cage to his advantage. He tries to use the steps but Orton avoids them and uses the cage himself, and then is able to connect with the steps. They continue to trade control back and forth, with both men asserting their dominance at various points in time. Sheamus focuses on the ribs, which makes it hard for Orton to complete the RKO. He tries to use the steel steps in the ring, but Orton is able to powerslam him on them instead! Sheamus fights back and hits a Brogue Kick but Orton kicks out. He grabs a chair but misses wildly and Orton hits an RKO. Sheamus wisely rolls to the floor to avoid getting pinned. Orton follows him out but misses the Punt and Sheamus connects with another Brogue Kick. Back in the ring Orton kicks out again. Sheamus tries the High Cross off the steps but Orton counters it and hits the RKO to get the pin at 22:51. That was a really solid brawl that had a few lulls in it but for the most part was well worked.
Rating: ***

Alberto Del Rio comes out to cut a promo, bragging about his recent accomplishments and badmouthing the state of Texas. Edge comes out to interrupt him, because he was battling stupidity at this time. He badmouths Del Rio, and then Jack Swagger comes out to interrupt them. Swagger beats on Edge until the Anonymous Raw General Manager sends an e-mail stating that Edge and Swagger will have a match right now!

MATCH #3: Edge vs. Jack Swagger

The crowd is not interested in this at all. Swagger dominates the opening minutes, since he already had an advantage before the bell even rang. Edge makes the comeback but Swagger survives the offense and traps Edge in an Ankle Lock, which is a smart move due to Edge’s previously torn Achilles tendon. Swagger continues to control the match, but when he goes for the Vader Bomb Edge kicks him in the gut and follows up with the Impaler. Edge sets up for the Spear but Swagger catches him in the Gutwrench Powerbomb and Edge kicks out at two! Swagger locks on the Ankle Lock again but Edge rolls through it and is able to finally hit the Spear and get the win at 11:30. I really like both guys but this was pretty dull and the crowd had absolutely no investment in it, nor did they have reason to.
Rating: **

MATCH #4: If John Cena Wins, The Nexus Must Disband. If Wade Barrett Wins, John Cena Must Join the Nexus – John Cena vs. Wade Barrett

If anyone in the Nexus interferes, Barrett will automatically lose the match. I don’t see how that’s a special stipulation, since outside interference is generally cause for a DQ, but they’re making a big deal about this. Barrett dominates Cena early, keeping him on the mat. The other four Nexus members watch on from ringside, making sure not to interfere. Eventually Cena powers up and hits his signature comeback sequence. The Nexus surrounds the ring and then the Big Show and a host of others from the locker room come out and beat them all down! When the dust settles, Barrett resumes control while the crowd gets behind Cena. Barrett is the first one to hit a finisher, the Wasteland, but Cena just barely kicks out at two. Cena is able to lock in the STF, but a “fan” (Michael McGillicutty) tries to get in the ring, and while the referee is distracted, Husky Harris runs by and drills Cena with a foreign object, giving Barrett the pin at 17:49. The women and children in the crowd are quite upset. The match was quite good, and Barrett looked to be at Cena’s level in the ring, which makes it all the more puzzling as to why he’s persona non grata now.
Rating: ***½

MATCH #5: Unified Divas Championship Match – Michelle McCool vs. Natalya

Lay-Cool have been the champions since 9.19.10 and this is their second defense. These two actually battled in the inaugural Divas Championship match back at the Great American Bash 2008, with McCool coming out on top then. McCool mostly dominates but Layla tries to interfere anyway and it backfires. Natalya locks on the Sharpshooter but McCool counters it to a heel hook but Natalya reverses it right back. Layla gets on the apron and throws her show at Natalya for the DQ at 4:51. They might have had a good thing going but they cut it off before that could happen and the finish bites.
Rating: *¾

MATCH #6: Hell in a Cell Match for the World Heavyweight Championship – Kane vs. Undertaker

Kane has been the champion since 7.18.10 and this is his third defense. Obviously this is the twenty-first Hell in a Cell match; the eleventh for Undertaker (5-4-1) and the second for Kane (0-0-2). Kane attacks his half-brother before the bell can even ring and takes an unfair advantage. The door has to be locked before the bell can ring, and that takes a minute but here we go. This is a similar brawl to the Night of Champions match two weeks ago, as in it’s really boring. They do the silly corner mounted punches spot so that Undertaker can hit the Last Ride but Kane kicks out at two. Undertaker tries the Tombstone but Kane reverses it to one of his own but it only gets two. A frustrated Kane lays out the referee. Paul Bearer gets into the Cell when they pull the injured referee out, and the distraction allows Undertaker to come back and hit the Chokeslam. Undertaker produces some lightning somehow and goes for the Tombstone, but Bearer opens the urn and there’s a light inside that temporarily blinds the Undertaker. Bearer then gives the urn to Kane while Undertaker looks shocked. Kane cracks the urn across Undertaker’s skull and follows up with a Chokeslam for the pin at 21:40. The match was plodding and having Paul Bearer turn on Undertaker for the eighteenth time didn’t do anything to make it any more interesting.
Rating: *¾

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