Hell in a Cell is two weeks away and the card for the show is taking shape. The card features at least two Hell in a Cell cage matches, which is always an attraction, plus matches that will continue to build storylines as wwe heads toward the end of the year. The Hell in a Cell pay per view is one of many "big shows" that is headlined by a gimmick match before the participants or purpose is known, which leads to many issues with the current product, but the gimmick match in this particular show usually produces some really good matches. However, the idea of Hell in a Cell the match was created to lead to a finality to a strong rivalry; the first version being The Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels with the debut of Kane many many years ago. WWE has produced a laundry list of memorable moments inside (and outside) the cell including Mankind being throw off and through the cell, Mick Foley's first attempt of retirement at the hands of Triple H, The bloody war between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar and so many more.
Hell in a Cell was created so that the simply saying the words Hell in a Cell made the crowd go crazy and the expectation of the match rose higher, now; wwe has a pay-per-view designated to always having that "special" match. The result of this show is that the cell is no longer "special" at all. The match was determined before the participants are which makes Hell in a Cell just another match, further emphasizing this point is the second bout held in the cell being John Cena versus Randy Orton. Sure, Orton and Cena have a long storied history with each other but this match was made last week on Raw on the premise that whomever doesn't get to wrestle Seth Rollins challenges Randy Orton; so there is no score to settle or grudge to finish, just a match that was made to be contended inside the confines of Hell in a Cell. So what is more important, the match or the feud?
I would suggest the obvious answer should be the grudge. The rivalry should be so heated that the only way to settle differences is by locking the hated combatants inside satan's playground; a bitter feud needs Hell in a Cell, it shouldn't be that Hell in a Cell needs participants. That is why gimmicky pay-per-views, except Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank, should be eliminated. This would make stipulation matches seem much more important and mean something to a storyline, instead of crow-baring a special match into a storyline whether needed or not. So how can Hell in a Cell be made important?
First, do something to make Seth Rollins versus Dean Ambrose in a cell must see. Dean Ambrose is a loose cannon not a cartoon character; he must be treated as such to make him reach his potential. Not pushing a hot dog cart or magically appearing at ringside but Dean Ambrose needs to be the lunatic fringe that Seth Rollins fears being locked into a cell with. Seth Rollins doesn't have to get beat up or embarrassed or have gak poured over his head; he needs to be the chicken-shit heel that he can be and get chased down by the brash psychotic Ambrose so that you, the fan, can't wait for Ambrose to finally get his hands on Rollins. This feud which was very hot for awhile fizzled slightly with Ambrose taking time off and Cena being inserted into it but I believe can be re-energized quickly. The only question is can a Dean Ambrose versus Seth Rollins headline a wwe pay-per-view?
Secondly, how can you inject some excitement into another John Cena versus Randy Orton match that was really thrown together hap-haphazardly?
I would include the return of Bray Wyatt into this match where Wyatt and his family produces a vignette that says he will be at Hell in a Cell, he will be in the cell and he will bring down the status quo. Three weeks of Wyatt taped promos has brought the Wyatt Family back to relevance and hopefully wwe won't allow him to falter again. Best way to catapult Bray Wyatt to the top? Insert him into the conclusion of John Cena and Randy and have him leave both men laying. This will create intrigue as to who he wants to take on and allows Bray Wyatt to be what he is best at: chaotic. There are less than subtle hints that Randy Orton may be turning baby face and perhaps him taking on Bray Wyatt would be a good first feud and allow Bray Wyatt to cement himself as a legit heel, which based on the video packages is where he is headed. I believe Bray Wyatt is something special and John Cena or Randy Orton would not be hurt being used as his return to the wwe universe.
Thirdly, make the secondary matches mean something. This is the first major show where Brock Lesnar is not defending his wwe world heavyweight championship but there will be titles defended. Why not make Dolph Ziggler versus Cesaro be important? Why not hype the idea that the intercontinental title is a major title and two incredibly gifted athletes will belt for the championship? Ziggler and Cesaro give this card the ability to have an excellent high caliber match that should have people on the edge of their seats from a wrestling perspective, which would be different from the two main attractions. The same can be said for the tag team title match they should have.
What is the negative of promoting a tag match that is almost certain to entertain the fans? The tag team division is a missed opportunity at such a high level because tag team wrestling, even simple tag team wrestling, is so fun to watch. It is wrestling by the numbers almost every time but the tag team formula is a proven winner and leads to exciting well paced action that typically is a crowd pleaser. Throw in the soap opera of the Bella twins, decent female wrestling with
A.J and Paige, Rusev's next battle and this show should be pretty good, but is it important?
The problem with the current landscape of professional wrestling, not just wwe but all of professional wrestling, is that nothing really seems important. This is a major issue especially with the advent of the wwe network and how reliant wwe's success is on the network. WWE needs to create subscribers and their strategy is by reminding you of the cost, at no end, or by pushing the app or this or that to create interest; however, the best way to create subscribers or product interest is by producing "must see" programming. All of the boom times in pro wrestling as started with high quality programming involving larger than life characters creating entertaining, intelligent and enthralling storyline that leads to dramatic, athletic and action packed matches. The product creates the interest; the product has always created the interest and the interest and fan base builds based on the quality of the product.
In closing, Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, Raw, Smackdown, Main Event and all wwe brand shows have to start feeling important again. The fan base should be made to feel that cannot miss the next show or the one after that and no way are they missing a pay-per-view.
The product should be so good that a wwe fan doesn't need to be reminded that there is a wwe network, or wwe has an app or they need to log on to wwe.com; the product should be so good that the fan base can't wait to log on to the website, should be viewing the app during the live weekly shows and watching the wwe network whenever time allows and for every pay-per-view.
The price shouldn't make the wwe network a no-brainer, the content should. And, it does; the network is awesome and is a dream come true for any wrestling fan but it is great because of the content not because of the stupid banter between michael cole, jbl and jerry lawler on a weekly basis.
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