CM Punk retained the WWE championship over Ryback. I am still not sure whether I liked the finish of this one or not. The match was actually pretty good, a lot better than I expected. The story here is that Punk was scared of Ryback throughout the match. Ryback was dominating Punk until Paul Heyman unleashed a fire extinguisher on Ryback from outside. Punk also used a kendo stick on Ryback. Once Ryback recovered he took control of Punk. Ryback finally got Punk up for Shellshock but referee Brad Maddox stopped him and nailed Ryback with a low blow, Punk rolled up Ryback, the referee counted a fast three and declared Punk the winner.
Ryback destroyed the referee as expected after the match. He then chased Punk all of the way on to the top of the cage. Ryback finally got Punk and dropped him on top of the cage. The crowd chanted “feed me more!” quickly forgetting that they just got screwed in a Hell in a Cell match. The WWE couldn’t have gotten a better reaction out of the fans if they coached them.
I do have to say this. I absolutely hate these spots at the top of the cage. It isn’t worth it and no matter how much you try, it isn’t safe. One of these days someone is going to get real hurt up there and it may not end pretty. You would think that the WWE would learn from some terrible lessons in the past that their superstars are wrestlers and not stuntmen.
I think that the WWE missed a golden opportunity here with Ryback. Do I think Ryback is the best wrestler on the roster? Of course not but they had something with Ryback that they haven’t had with a new star in a long time. They had a guy who was fresh and has not been tarnished by WWE booking. It was the first time in ages that they had an undefeated star ready to ascend to the next level. Every time they get ready to elevate a guy they beat him for months to the point that fans don’t believe in him when he finally gets there. The fans believed in Ryback and by their own dumb luck, they had the perfect situation to create a new superstar. Instead they played the status quo at a time when ratings are falling and buyrates are stagnant. I think they blew an opportunity that they won’t have in a long, long time.
The plus here is that Ryback closed the show strong. The fans were chanting, he went on a rampage, and the last scene of the show was Ryback standing atop of the cage. However, at the end of the day he still has a loss on his record. They’ll never get the undefeated streak back. The perfect scenario is gone. It is almost a lock that the road to WrestleMania stops at the Royal Rumble with Punk vs. Rock and Cena vs. Rock on the big show.
My guess is that they will come back at Tables, Ladders, and Chairs with some kind of a Triple Threat Match with Punk vs. Ryback vs. John Cena. Ryback is in a good place where you can get some mileage with him at the top for a few more weeks. But once TLC passes you’ll have just another guy on the roster that was beaten by the best. I wouldn’t be completely shocked to see some kind of a turn at TLC on Cena and go with a Cena vs. Ryback program through the Rumble, but that is just a complete guess.
In the other championship main-event, The Big Show defeated Sheamus to become the new WWE world heavyweight champion. This one was a lot better than I expected as well. Both guys kicked out of each others finisher but it was Sheamus kicking out of the WMD that stunned the crowd. Sheamus missed a second Brogue kick and was countered with another knockout punch. The Big Show scored the clean pin and a surprise win…at least to this blogger.
I have to wonder if this leads to a Dolph Ziggler babyface turn. Show did a promo later in the show saying that nobody in the WWE can beat him for the title. Ziggler teased that he would cash in at Hell in a Cell but it was not to be. I don’t necessarily think the time is ready yet for Ziggler, as he has been beaten quite a bit lately. However, a fresh babyface turn could be exactly what he needs. Regardless, my hunch is that Show is nothing more than a transitional champion here for Ziggler and to set up a possible Ziggler vs. Sheamus (babyface vs. babyface?) match at WrestleMania 29.
Once the show ended it all became clear. The Show title switch was a make-good of sorts to the fans in Atlanta and at home for screwing them in the main-event. I am convinced even more with the way the show ended that Show’s title reign will be a short one.
All in all it was a decent pay per view. The two main-events were entertaining and at times really fun to watch. I wouldn’t go out of your way to watch it, but I’d certainly give it a look once it gets to Netflix or your Walmart $5 DVD bin.
CM Punk defeated Ryback to retain the WWE championship
The Big Show defeated Sheamus to win the WWE world heavyweight title
Eve defeated Kaitlyn and Layla to retain the WWE Divas Championship
Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara defeated the Primetime Players
Antonio Cesaro defeated Justin Gabriel to retain the WWE United States Championship:
Kofi Kingston defeated The Miz by pinfall to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship:
Team Rhodes Scholars defeated Team Hell No via disqualification for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Randy Orton defeated Alberto Del Rio
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Eric G.
Eric is the owner and editor-in-chief of the Camel Clutch Blog. Eric has worked in the pro wrestling industry since 1995 as a ring announcer in ECW and a commentator/host on television, PPV, and home video. Eric also hosted Pro Wrestling Radio on terrestrial radio from 1998-2009. Check out some of Eric's work on his IMDB bio and Wikipedia. Eric has an MBA from Temple University's Fox School of Business.
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