Credit – PWTorch
WWE Hell in a Cell PPV Results
October 27, 2013
Live in Miami, Fla.
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor
Hour 1 PPV Results
In 1997, the Hell in a Cell PPV was born. WWE showed a soundbyte of Mick Foley saying when he entered HIAC, he clearly knew something was wrong. Shawn Michaels and Edge also had soundbytes tied with snapshot video clips of Taker vs. Michaels and Taker vs. Mankind (Foley) from the early years of the Cell match. “There are no winners in HIAC, only survivors,” said Jim Ross in a classic soundbyte. “Clearly something’s wrong,” Foley said int he final soundbyte.
The video transitioned to clips from the WWE 2K14 video game as the presenting sponsor of the PPV. Live in the arena, full pyro and fireworks opened the PPV. Flames shot up on-stage as Michael Cole introduced the show from Miami. Cole said they are in King James’s house, but this is “the greatest brand in sports entertainment.” Justin Roberts then introduced the opening Tag Title match.
In-ring: Rhodes Bros’s remixed theme music played to bring out the Tag Champs with the Goldust Filter applied to their ring entrance. WWE then replayed Big Show KO’ing Shield to allow the Rhodes Bros. to capture the Tag Titles on Raw two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Show has been barred from the building after The Authority obtained a restraining order.
The other brother duo in the match, The Usos, were introduced next, then Cole & Co. were shown on-camera to hype the Tag Title match. Shield’s Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns then came through the crowd as Cole introduced the Spanish announce table with Rey Mysterio present. So, who will engage Rey during the PPV to set up Rey’s return feud? Meanwhile, Cole introduced this week’s WWE Math Fallacy that the Rhodes Bros. have a 33 percent chance of retaining the titles tonight.
1 — WWE tag champions RHODES BROS. (CODY RHODES & GOLDUST) vs. THE SHIELD (SETH ROLLINS & ROMAN REIGNS) vs. THE USOS — three-team match for the WWE Tag Titles
Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso started things off with a stalemate. Cody applauded Uso’s work, then locked up again. Goldust and Jey entered, then The Shield ruined everything when Reigns yanked down Goldust and rammed him into the ring apron. Shield then slowed down the pace and took the crowd out of the match by working on Goldust. Meanwhile, Lawler slipped in a promotional consideration for the “Bad Grandpa” movie featuring WWE celebrity Johnny Knoxville.
The crowd tried a rally clap for Goldust, who blocked a hip toss and back-slid Reigns for a close two count. But, Reigns came back with a hard elbow to the mouth for a nearfall. Shield slowed down the pace again, taking the crowd down. “Reigns DOMINATING AT THIS POINT!” Cole said out of nowhere. Rollins then tagged in and knocked Cody off the ring apron. Goldust was able to make the tag, but Cody was KO’ed on the floor. So, Goldust contemplating tagging in an Uso, but Reigns and Rollins took out Goldust and The Usos at one time.
Shield slowed the pace again by working on Goldust. Reigns then shouted toward the upper deck to draw some boos from the crowd. Reigns wanted a big corner splash, but Goldust snapped off a powerslam. Goldust then made the Rhodes Bros. corner to bring in Cody with a hot tag. Cody nailed a moonsault on Rollins for a close nearfall as The Usos stood in the corner watching.
Cody went for the Disaster Kick, but his proximity to the ropes allowed Jimmy Uso to tag in on Cody. The action broke down with bodies flying everywhere, then Jey Uso crashed on Goldust and Reigns ringside. Back in the ring, Jimmy Uso dropped Rollins with a lift-up Samoan Drop for a close two count. Jimmy tried a top-rope move, but Rollins crotched him. Cody then tagged in on the Uso, teased Cross Rhodes on Rollins, but Rollins blocked. They battled up-top, where Rhodes shifted their positioning to deliver a superplex from the top rope to the floor, taking out everyone int he match.
After the crowd buzzed over the superplex into a Sean of Humanity, Rhodes and Rollins rolled back into the ring. Rhodes tried a pin, but Uso came off the top with a splash to break up the pin just before three. Suddenly, Reigns came out of nowhere with a big spear to Uso. More chaos, then Rollins smashed Goldust with his leaping kick. But, Goldust and Cody hooked up moments later to set up Rollins for Cross Rhodes. Cody pinned Rollins for the win.
WINNERS: Rhodes Bros. at 14:38. Good opening match, providing enough excitement to overcome the cliched three-team tag format where the action breaks down, the ref loses control, and no one knows who the legal man is. Rhodes Bros. are clicking very well right now. (***)
Backstage: Shawn Michaels and Triple H were shown having a good ol’ time sharing stories and a few laughs.
In-ring: The Miz was introduced to the ring for a speaking part. Miz said that for weeks, the Wyatt Family has been stalking him. Friday on Smackdown, they beat him down to where he cannot compete in a match tonight. But, he is still able to fight. He told Bray Wyatt to get out of his Cracker Barrel rocking chair, leave his two hillbillies behind, and get out here now.
Instead, the feed cut to a shot of Bray Wyatt sitting in his rocking chair on the video screen. Bray told “Hollywood” that it pains him to see Miz in this broken state. Bray warned Miz about the monster who lives behind his eyes. The feed cut out and the screen went black. The lights then turned on to reveal Luke Harper and Erick Rowan in the ring to tackle and attack Miz. Cole dejectedly said this could get ugly fast.
For a change in tone, Kane’s pyro shot off and his music played. “Yes!” Cole shrieked as Kane walked down the aisle to big-boot Rowan. In the ring, Kane uppercut Harper before struggling to lift Harper in the air for a bodyslam. So, Kane just clotheslined Harper over the top rope to the outside. The Wyatts backed away from ringside as Kane eyeballed Miz. Miz let his guard down, then Kane grappled Miz and chokeslammed to a pop from the vocal males. Kane shot off his pyro as JBL guessed that perhaps Kane doesn’t like Miz TV, either.
To transition to the next match, WWE ran a spot for the WWE 2K14 video game out on Tuesday.
In-ring: Fandango’s music played to bring out Summer Rae to pave the way for Fandango. Some members of the crowd tried to re-live WrestleMania Weekend by Fandango’ing as the announcers cracked some dance jokes. “Keep it light and airy!” could almost be heard being shouted through the headsets. Once in the ring, Fandango shushed the crowd before cutting a promo about salsa dancing. “What you know is primitive and crude,” Fandango said. He said the only master of the art is Fahn…dan…go.
Suddenly, salsa music played for Fandango and Summer Rae to dance in the ring. For the interruption, Great Khali’s music played. Out came Great Khali, Natalya, and Hornswoggle. Apparently it’s a mixed tag match, with Summer Rae making her main roster in-ring debut.
2 — GREAT KHALI & NATALYA (w/Hornswoggle) vs. FANDANGO & SUMMER RAE — mixed tag match
Fandango and Khali started things off. Fandango avoided Khali’s charging-bull offense, then the Divas tagged in. Summer executed some offense, impressing JBL. But, she gloated too much, allowing Natalya to take down the rookie. Natalya then dragged Fandango into the ring, embarrassing him. Hornswoggle taunted Fandango on the outside, then Fandango tried to respond, but Khali palmed him back into the ring.
Khali wanted to finish Fandango, but Fandango made it to the heel corner to tag in Summer. Summer tried to mesmerize Khali, drawing Natalya into the ring for a response. After a brief struggle between the Divas, Summer rolled up Natalya for a quick three count. Cole made a betting joke that no one had Summer Rae winning a match tonight.
WINNERS: FandangoRae at 4:50. Expectantly oddball mixed tag match. The result perhaps puts Summer Rae in the Divas Title picture. Yes, with one win.
In-ring: Dean Ambrose was introduced to defend the U.S. Title. To shift the focus after the last match, Cole said they have a treat for the audience with this next bonus title match. Big E. Langston was then introduced as Ambrose’s opponent.
3 — U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE vs. BIG E. LANGSTON — U.S. Title match
Early in the match, Ambrose drove Langston to the corner to work the mid-section. “Turn me around!” Ambrose shouted audibly. Langston then spun Ambrose around to pound him in the corner. Ambrose cut off Langston as the crowd sat quietly with no emotional investment in Big E. following Langston’s abrupt face turn two weeks ago.
At 5:00, Ambrose sat down on Langston with a Camel Clutch as the crowd tried to get involved with a rally clap. Big E. then powered to his feet and ran Ambrose into the corner. Langston tried to follow with a big running splash, but Ambrose moved. The crowd was so quiet at this point that Ambrose was audibly heard again calling for a spot, this time a belly-to-belly suplex. Langston could not put him away, though.
Ambrose feigned bailing from the ring, not wanting anything to do with the rest of the match. This brought Langston to ringside, suckering him in. Back in the ring, Ambrose scored a nearfall, but Langston caught him on the ring apron. Langston then speared Ambrose through the ropes and Big E. fell to the outside with the U.S. champ. As the ref applied a ten count, Langston made it back into the ring, but Ambrose remained on the outside. Langston won via count-out, but did not win the title.
Post-match: Langston was shown with a big cut around his eye/cheek region. Langston then tracked down Ambrose on the outside, brought him back into the ring, and dropped him with the Big Ending. Langston, with blood on his cheek, then stood tall over Ambrose before they replayed the potential spot where Langston got the cut on his face.
WINNER: Langston via count-out at 8:43; Ambrose retains the U.S. Title. Not good. WWE’s arrogance thinking they can just turn folks face and heel on a whim and the crowd will emotionally invest hurt this match. (*1/2)
Announcers: Cole and Co. tried to feed to a Raw video package, but they were interrupted by the ominous Hell in a Cell music as the Cell began to be lowered to the ground for the first of two HIAC matches – C.M. Punk vs. Paul Heyman and Ryback.
Hour 2 PPV Results
In-ring: Cult of Personality played to bring out C.M. Punk for what Michael Cole labeled the 27th HIAC match in history. Too many uses during the Attitude Era. Plus, the match now has its own PPV. After Punk entered the Cell, Ryback’s music played to bring out Ryback by himself. No sign of Paul Heyman. JBL wondered where he is.
Suddenly, Heyman was shown standing on a moving scissors lift at the production stage. But, the Genie GS-3246 model scissors lift was stuck. Heyman’s production team driver could not get around the stage, prompting Punk and Ryback to stall in the Cell. Of note, a description of the scissors lift on the Genie website reads: “Ideal for maneuvering in tight spaces.” A few more tries eventually produced Heyman at the ringside area.
Before the match started, Heyman took a mic and told Punk that he was nothing when he discovered him. Heyman essentially called himself the devil and said he is the Best…In…Hell. Heyman was then lifted on top of the Cell roof, able to stare down at the match below. The bell sounded for Punk vs. Ryback to start, deflating the crowd since the heat wasn’t on Heyman for avoiding Punk, but on the promotion for booking a Punk-Ryback singles match to start. But, it also sets up for a potential major pop when/if Punk gets his hands on Heyman.
4 — C.M. PUNK vs. RYBACK & PAUL HEYMAN — Hell in a Cell handicap match
The vocal males picked up some “Goldberg” chants in the early going, then went quiet as Ryback worked on Punk one-on-one. Meanwhile, Lawler talked about Heyman being afraid of heights when a scaffold was involved 20 years ago. Lawler concluded that Heyman is more afraid of Punk than heights. In the ring, Ryback continued to dominate Punk as Heyman watched with a big smile on his face from the top of the Cell.
Ryback dropped the straps and vowed to finish Punk with Shell Shock, but Punk slipped out, ducked a charging Ryback, and scooped up a Kendo Stick that was introduced earlier in the match. Punk cracked the Kendo Stick over Ryback’s gut, then glared up at Heyman. Punk with a clothesline, then he climbed to the top turnbuckle to deliver a Macho Man elbow for a two count.
Punk then got the crowd involved by going under the ring to retrieve a table. Punk set up the table in the ring as Ryback continued to sell. But, Ryback suddenly got up and clotheslined Punk from behind. Ryback then crotched Punk across the side of the table, drawing laughter from Heyman. Ryback set up the table for a powerbomb, but Punk low-blowed Ryback and placed him on the table. Punk delivered another Macho Man elbow, this time taking Ryback through a table. Punk sold pain from the move, though.
Reset. At 13:30, both men slowly climbed to their feet. Punk popped Ryback with the Kendo Stick, then positioned him for Go To Sleep. Punk connected, then covered Ryback for a three count.
WINNER: Punk at 13:49. Basic singles match. A few memorable spots to not be completely unsatisfying for people who bought the PPV to see a handicap match before the post-match…
Post-match: Punk looked up at the Cell and saw that Heyman had nowhere to go. Punk placed a Kendo Stick in his trunks and climbed the Cell before standing on the roof opposite Heyman. Heyman begged off as he clutched the cord hanging from the roof of the Cell. Punk then kissed Heyman on the forehead and smashed him with the Kendo Stick over and over. The crowd shouted “Yes!” in the background as Heyman caught his breath.
Punk called for the GTS as Heyman tried crawling away. But, Punk grappled him for the GTS on the roof. Punk’s music then played – signaling the end of the segment – as Heyman remained flat on his back on top of the Cell. Punk had a chance to destroy the man for good, yet he was satisfied with some Kendo Stick shots and a GTS, the same treatment as Ryback during the match? Lawler tried to sell this as Punk completing his vow by saying Punk did everything to Heyman that he said he would do. In actuality, Punk’s promo on Raw set the bar for Punk to basically end Heyman if he got the chance. So, when he got the chance, his character was satisfied with the minimum.
Backstage: Renee Young brought in Daniel Bryan. Bryan said he hopes Shawn Michaels will do what’s best for business by being a fair and partial referee when Bryan faces Randy Orton for the WWE Title. Bryan then flashed back to WM28 when the Miami crowd (mixed with a majority of international fans) started the “Yes!” phenomenon. Bryan vowed to finally win the WWE Title (for a third time).
In-ring: Los Matadores’s music played to bring out Diego and Fernando. After they did their on-stage dance number, El Torito emerged through their capes. Real Americans were then introduced as the opposition. On the way to the ring, Zeb Colter cut a promo about Los Matadores needing to be locked in a cell because they are illegal. Like 80 percent of the audience, he said. Zeb turned his wrath toward El Torito, who had to be held back in the ring. Zeb said he cannot believe they have to breath the same air as those three “border-hopping banditos.” Zeb then led the Americans and some members of the crowd in their “We The People” declaration.
5 — REAL AMERICANS (JACK SWAGGER & ANTONIO CESARO w/Zeb Colter) vs. LOS MATADORES (DIEGO & FERNANDO w/El Torito)
The announcers used this as their comedown match to go off the rails with random commentary about black bulls, comic book characters, JBL’s old Justin Hawk gimmick (no reference to when Zeb managed him as Uncle Zebekiah), and cheap beer. The match built to Cesaro putting un matador in the Giant Swing, popping JBL. After 35 or so revolutions, which drew applause from the vocal males, Cesaro picked up steam again for a final five revolutions. Cesaro dizzily covered, but El Matador kicked out.
Sufficiently dizzy, Cesaro decided to bail to Swagger and Los Matadores also made a tag. Swagger walked into a face-first smash, but Cesaro broke up a pin. On the outside, Cesaro ran un Matadore into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Swagger took out the other Matadore, then slapped on the Patriot Lock. But, Matadore swung Swagger into Cesaro, sending the Americans reeling. Los Matadores then combined for a double-team move on Swagger for the pin and the win.
Post-match: El Torito entered the ring to celebrate with the winners as Zeb Colter randomly entered the ring on hands and knees to sell disdain over the outcome. Los Matadores then stopped and found Zeb face-down on the mat. Zeb woke up, then El Torito knocked him out of the ring with a charging bull charge. Cesaro also tried to get involved, but Torito sent him reeling with a huracanrana. Los Matadores and Torito then celebrated in the ring.
WINNERS: Los Matadores at 5:52. Basic tag team bufer match that belonged on Raw over PPV. Like most of the undercard. WWE’s lack of roster depth has really being exposed on PPV this month.
Video Package: John Cena’s journey from elbow procedure to rehab to returning at Hell in a Cell tonight.
In-ring: Alberto Del Rio’s music played to bring out the World Hvt. champion. Del Rio brought the Mexican flag with him and waved it in the ring. After a longer-than-usual pause, John Cena’s music played for the first time in two months to bring out WWE’s top star. John Cena emerged on-stage dressed in pink gear for the Susan G. Komen partnership. Cena paused on-stage to survey the crowd, soak it up, salute, and charge the ring. As Cena completed his pre-match routine, Cole ran down the long list of Cena’s career injuries. Lawler called him a living, breathing Superman.
Once everyone was in the ring, Lilian Garcia handled formal ring introductions. The general noise for Cena – mix of cheers and boos – was uncharacteristically light. Either the audience has been taken out of the show or there was indifference in the crowd. Lilian then introduced Del Rio in Spanish before the bell sounded.
6 — World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. JOHN CENA — World Hvt. Title match
The match started with Del Rio targeting Cena’s elbow injury, which was covered by a protective sleeve. The crowd picked up a brief “Let’s Go Cena / Cena Sucks” chant as Cena bailed to the floor to try to regroup. Back in the ring, Cena landed a left elbow smash, then bailed to the corner selling that he re-injured the elbow. Cena tried to re-engage Del Rio, but Del Rio pounded the elbow and continued the attack.
Lawler dejectedly talked about Cena not looking the Cena of old, then Cena tried a desperation STF, but Del Rio easily escaped and scored with a German Suplex for a two count. Del Rio then re-targeted the elbow as the announcers debated whether Cena came back too early.
As Del Rio continued to attack the elbow, WWE cut to a shot of World Title MITB holder Damien Sandow standing at a backstage monitor watching the match. Back in the ring, Del Rio climbed to the middle rope for a move, but after mocking Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” wave, Cena intercepted with a dropkick. Cena then delivered a sit-out slam, smiled, shrugged his shoulders to the hard camera, and delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena wanted an Attitude Adjustment, but Del Rio slipped out and nailed the Backstabber for a two count.
Another shot of Sandow anxiously waiting backstage, then Del Rio measured Cena for a corner kick, but Cena ducked and flowed into an AA tease. Del Rio escaped, then nailed a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two count. Del Rio followed with a single-arm DDT to the injured arm, then went for the Cross Arm-breaker, but Cena rolled through into an STF. Del Rio teased tapping out before getting two fingers on the bottom rope for a break.
Reset at 13:30. Cena tried following up, but Del Rio side-kicked him twice in the head. Del Rio rolled over a lifeless Cena, but he kicked out just before three. Del Rio then went right back to the Cross Arm-breaker. Cena tried to reduce the pressure by grabbing Del Rio’s arm, then he power-lifted Del Rio into the air for a big powerbomb to escape. JBL called it super-human as Cole’s audio malfunctioned.
Reset at 15:00. Both men came to their feet and Cena went for the AA again, but Del Rio escaped. Cena went for it again, and this time he connected to score a three count. Cena is World champion again. After the match, Cena knelt down on the mat and stared down at the title belt. Cena saluted the crowd as Cole played this up as a big moment in Cena’s career. Lawler added to the good feelings before Cena was shown telling JBL that he was wrong about him coming back too soon. The camera stayed with Cena up the entrance ramp to the back.
WINNER: Cena at 15:17 to capture the World Hvt. Title. Decent PPV title match. It wasn’t designed to steal the show since the focus was on Del Rio working the elbow throughout the match to set up Cena “overcoming the stacked deck” to win the title and complete his comeback story. (**1/2)
Survivor Series hype commercial: Bray Wyatt talked about alligators to promote Survivor Series.
All-Star Panel: Josh Mathews welcomed in Ziggler, R-Truth, and Kaitlyn to discuss Cena “pulling off magic” by capturing the World Title. Kaitlyn then hyped the Divas Title match up next. A.J. Lee’s music interrupted Kaitlyn mid-sentence.
Hour 3 PPV Results
In-ring: Divas champion A.J. Lee and Tamina Snuka came to the ring first for the Divas Title match. The Bellas were out next as the announcers noted this is a re-match from Battleground last month.
7 — Divas champion A.J. LEE (w/Tamina Snuka) vs. BRIE BELLA (w/Nikki Bella) — Divas Title match
A.J. taunted Brie early on, so Brie slapped her. A.J. sold being KO’ed, but Brie was only able to score a two count. A.J. recovered and began working on Brie. Meanwhile, Tamina and Nikki got into it ringside, momentarily drawing attention away from the match. A.J. used the chaos to her advantage, grappling Brie for the Black Widow to force a tap-out. A.J. retains her favorite prize.
WINNER: A.J. via submission at 5:40 to retain the Divas Title.
Backstage: Prime Time Players were shown playing the WWE 2K14 video game before Bob Backlund interrupted. Backlund said kids need to read, write, and learn arithmetic, not play video games. Titus said kids will not only learn how to be successful through the video game, but become immortal. Titus O’Neil convinced Bob of the virtues of the video game, then Darren Young helped him learn how to do the Millions of Dollars dance.
Backstage: Shawn Michaels, in a referee t-shirt, was shown having a somewhat spirited discussion with Triple H. Michaels sold being annoyed by Hunter telling him what to do, then walked off, leaving Hunter to stand hands-by-his-side selling concern.
Video Package: WWE reminded the audience that they voted for Shawn Michaels as special referee for Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title tonight. The video also reminded viewers that HBK trained Bryan, HBK doesn’t like Orton, and HBK’s best friend is Triple H.
In-ring: Shawn Michaels was introduced first for the WWE Title match. Cole said Michaels has guaranteed that a new champion will be determined inside the Hell in a Cell. Randy Orton was then introduced as Cole noted the WWE Title has been vacant for over two months. Daniel Bryan was introduced next to “Yes!” chants as Cole noted that Bryan is not scared of the Cell structure.
Before the Cell was lowered, Triple H’s music played to bring out the COO. JBL awkwardly called him “COO of the World Wrestling Entertainment” as Hunter brought out the vacant WWE Title belt. Hunter shook hands with Orton, gave Bryan a look at the belt and went for a handshake, but Bryan shook his head no. Hunter smirked, then handed the title over to Michaels. The Cell was then lowered after Michaels handed off the title belt and Hunter left the ring. The bell sounded at 10:29 p.m. EST, giving them about 20 minutes.
8 — RANDY ORTON vs. DANIEL BRYAN — Shawn Michaels special referee — Hell in a Cell match for vacant WWE Title
Bryan went after Orton with Yes! kicks early on, but walked into a dropkick for a one count. Cole noted these two know each other so well after headlining PPVs (and about 25 house shows) over the past few months. Orton then bumped Bryan off the ring apron into the Cell wall, rattling the chains. On the outside, Orton tried to whip Bryan into ring steps that Orton set up, but Bryan reversed and Orton ate the ring steps.
Back in the ring, Bryan ripped off a series of kicks to Orton’s back before hanging Orton upside down in the corner to deliver a running kick. Bryan then dropkicked Orton over the top rope to the outside, sending Orton reeling into the Cell wall. Bryan then flew to the outside with consecutive suicide dives that bounced Orton into the Cell wall. But, Bryan went for a third and Orton side-stepped him to send Bryan head-first into the Cell wall.
Back in the ring, Orton covered Bryan for a two count. Orton then called for the end as Michaels looked down at Bryan. Meanwhile, Cole again reminded the audience that they voted for HBK as special referee. In the corner, Orton delivered multiple headbutts, but he could not follow up, allowing Bryan to deliver a sunset flip powerbomb that rocked both men.
Reset at 10:00. They came to their feet and traded European Uppercuts to the tune of “Yes!” and “No!” in the crowd. Bryan then ducked a clothesline, bounced the ropes, and smashed Orton with a charging clothesline. Orton followed with corner dropkicks, then a corner huracanrana. Bryan wanted a top-rope headbutt and he connected to Orton’s shoulder for a two count.
Bryan wanted Yes! kicks, but Orton ducked a decisive blow, tried a roll-up, but Bryan slapped on the Yes! Lock. Orton reached the ropes, but HBK reminded Orton that there are no rope breaks in the Cell. On the floor, Bryan ran Orton into the Cell wall a few times before measuring Orton for a flying dropkick that rocked Orton into the Cell.
Bryan wasn’t done on the outside, as he went under the ring to retrieve a chair. Bryan jabbed the chair into Orton’s gut, then cracked it over Orton’s back. Another shot to the back. Bryan then went back under the ring and chucked about 10 chairs into the ring. Bryan got a crazy look in his eyes, then told a concerned HBK to get out of his way. Bryan delivered another chair shot to Orton’s back, then rolled him back into the ring.
In the ring at 15:00, Bryan went for another chair shot, but Orton thumbed him in the eye. Orton then began using chairs on Bryan. Orton paused to stack up the chairs that Bryan chucked into the ring, then took Bryan to the top turnbuckle. “No, no, no,” Cole said as Orton measured Bryan for an Orton Family Superplex onto the stack of chairs, but Bryan blocked, only to have Orton crotch him. Orton tried again, and this time he connected, with Bryan’s feet landing on the stack of chairs. HBK sold feeling the effects himself before counting a nearfall for Orton.
Suddenly, Triple H emerged from the back and walked down to ringside. Hunter argued with HBK about his count as the crowd greeted him with an “a-hole” chant. HBK and Hunter had a heated discussion, with HBK just pleading with Hunter to let him do his job. In the background, Orton had Bryan pinned with a t-bone suplex, but HBK was still engaged with Hunter. This brought over Orton to argue with Michaels, who told Hunter just to get off his back.
The focus returned to the ring, where Orton delivered a trademark DDT from the second rope. Orton then measured Bryan for the finish as Hunter radnomly started climbing the cage, telling Michaels to get ready. This distracted HBK, who was then bumped when Bryan shoved Orton into the ropes. Everyone down in the ring as Hunter sold concern. Hunter then asked for the Cell to be opened so they could “evaluate HBK’s health.” Meanwhile, Bryan scored a visual three count on Orton.
Hunter entered the Cell, where he shoved Bryan aside before pretending to check on Hunter. In the background, Bryan readied himself to KO Hunter, then when Hunter turned around, Bryan smashed Hunter in the face with his knee finisher. This apparently upset HBK, who frustratingly waited for Bryan to turn around to deliver a Superkick that whiffed. Bryan sold anyways. HBK sold inner conflict before checking on his buddy, Hunter. Orton then covered Bryan, HBK had a moment of realizing the consequences of his decision, then he counted a three count for the win.
Post-match: HBK dejectedly left the ring, not wanting to face the consequences of his actions. Once Michaels left the ring, Hunter recovered in the ring and was greeted by Orton, who celebrated their title victory. Bryan was then helped out of the ring selling the effects of HBK’s whiffed Superkick. The PPV signed off at 10:53 EST with Cole declaring that they have a new WWE champion, but questions linger.
WINNER: Orton at 22:08 to capture the WWE Title. Bryan was given the majority of offense in advance of losing the title match to retain some credibility coming out of his latest PPV title close-call. The story coming out of this is HBK’s friendship with Hunter won out over his sense of pride in Bryan, who he trained, but was this the type of outcome to get people excited for the rest of the fall season? As usual, follow-up is key and there is a potential Bryan vs. Hunter match in-play down the road, but there is still a sense that WWE does not realize people pay $55+ for these PPV events – two of which occurred this month. (***1/4)