Los Angeles
SHEAMUS & RUSEV & KING BARRETT vs. CESARO & DOLPH ZIGGLER & NEVILLE: The pre-show match. It was RAW-type stuff with some good action at the end. The crowd loved Cesaro and popped big for his swing. Just fucking give him the title, already, Jesus Christ. **1/2
JOHN CENA vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO: These two fought two years ago at the "Hell in a Cell" ppv. I gave that match 1/2* and said that, "Cena and Del Rio bore me." Well Del Rio is back after wrestling in ROH and Lucha Underground and AAA in Mexico (he's still the AAA champ). Del Rio was the mystery opponent and they put him with manager Zeb Coulter, who used to be his nemesis. I guess it was a good surprise...albeit Del Rio is and always has been a bore so long-term it's a mistake. At least Cena had a great year and finally ended up in some great matches ten years too late. Nothing has changed with Del Rio. I'm curious now to see if his matches in AAA are just as boring and lifeless. This was perhaps Cena's worst match this year. And now we move on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. *
ROMAN REIGNS vs. BRAY WYATT "HELL IN A CELL": I wish instead of wasting the Cell on this match they'd have put the women's match or the Dudley's match in the Cell. This match didn't need a cell, as all they did was break tables and use a Singapore cane. They're ready to finally give Reigns the title it seems (he's facing Rollins next month at Survivor Series) and I still can't figure out why. The crowd's respond to him a bit more favorably then they did a year ago...but he's still awkward as fuck on the mic and his big Superman punch move is silly. He just seems like he's forcing it, like he's trying too hard. He's a complete fake. I don't buy it. And Bray is just not a good wrestler and his weird family gimmick is tired. The table spots were semi-cool. **
THE NEW DAY vs. THE DUDLEY BOYS: Already sick of The Dudley Boys. The New Day is funny on the mic but mediocre in the ring. A lame match. 1/2*
CHARLOTTE vs. NIKKI: There was one good spot; Nikki slammed Charlotte onto edge of the ring from the floor. The rest was typical, maybe a tad better than the usual women's matches on the big stage. **
SETH ROLLINS vs. KANE: Rollins put Kane through the Spanish announce table and it didn't break. The rest was lousy. I'd say I hope we never see Kane wrestle again but it looks like he'll be teaming up with The Undertaker to wrestle The Wyatt family at Survivor Series. Be gone, demon! Go back to whence you came from! Maybe they'll do an Exorcism match and Kane will lose and disappear. Where's Vince Russo when you need him? *
KEVIN OWENS vs. RYBACK: They did five minutes in the dead slot. It was forgettable. 1/2*
THE UNDERTAKER vs. BROCK LESNAR "HELL IN A CELL": Blood! Haven't seen that a lot lately in the WWE. Besides that, they did the kick- out-of-each-others finishers deal. That was at least dramatic. Lesnar also peeled back the ring mat to reveal the hard wooden bottom. Lesnar ended up getting slammed on the wood but then low-blowed 'Taker and finished him off with the F-5. Post-match the Wyatt family came out, beat up 'Taker, then carried him to the back. This match was about as good as their Summer Slam match. **1/2
