So I hate red. That Hell In a Cell was just killing my eyes. Perhaps my eyes are pansies. Either way, I wasn’t a fan of the all red cell.
Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy was a solid match with a whimper of an ending. For the PG era, this was violent and the sight of Orton’s skin tearing off his flesh was cringy (in a good way). The “big” Hardy stunt was ok, but I’m glad that the WWE didn’t have him do something insane.
Creative really missed the opportunity of really making Orton dangerous and despicable. Orton should’ve put the nail in the coffin by ending the match in a truly violent (but safe, of course) manner that would’ve further put over his character and how sick he has become. Instead, he came across as a heel just happy to win a match like a coward.
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair was a good match with an ending that I don’t fully agree with. First, I wasn’t a fan of the way the match started and how robotic the Women’s champion was in the beginning.
Flair has been getting her ass whooped since Summerslam, yet she showed no signs of anger or frustration coming down to the ring. Little wrinkles like this would’ve put over how personal this feud has become, but it was a normal routine of smile, pose, and walk gracefully to the ring.
Also, the match just started as a standard wrestling match. Again, Flair should’ve shown more aggression to help sell the story.
The reason I’m not fully on board with Lynch winning is due to the fact that it didn’t feel like it was the right moment. A double turn should’ve happened here. Charlotte should’ve won by nefarious means with Becky coming off as sympathetic. Flair mercilessly attacking Lynch to the point where the match couldn’t continue would’ve put her over as a heel.
Charlotte is so damn good as a heel, I don’t understand why the company wants her to be a babyface so badly. Having her gloat and admitting that she was purposely holding Lynch back would’ve put her over more.
Evolution would’ve been the perfect moment for Lynch to finally win the title after returning for vengeance at WWE Super Show-Down, Thus the Lynch/Flair match for the event would've been scrapped, have Flair defeat another opponent in Australia, and then Lynch would come out and attack Flair re-igniting the feud. Nevertheless, a good match and a nice moment that Lynch should’ve had at Summerslam.
Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler was arguably the best match of the night. Exciting action that had a nicely crafted story with a great ending. No complaints here.
Another strong match was Styles vs. Joe, with the lack of crowd heat the reason why I’m not labeling this as match of the night. The story perfectly fit the feud as Styles was ready to fight instead of a having a normal wrestling match. I also loved the ending. I was pissed at first because Joe looked like a dumbass for just lying there for the 3-count, but the story of Styles tapping was a clever way of keeping the rivalry going.
This also gives Styles some layers to his character. He reacted a bit when he saw the footage of him tapping. Is Styles truly an honorable babyface? Is he happy that he barely escaped with the WWE championship? Or is he fine with retaining the title by any means necessary?
One thing I would’ve changed is the way Styles entered the match. Had Styles came out, no posing, and intensely stared at Joe as he simply walked to the ring, it would’ve truly sold Styles’ mindset. Again, subtle moments like these really put over a storyline.
Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse was a fun match, with an ending that left a lot to be desired. Maryse should’ve won in a dirty manner, but instead she outsmarted Brie with a clean victory. Not very heelish in my sensitive eyes.
Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss was solid. Bliss was never believable on offense even though an attempt (a weak one) was made for Rousey to look vulnerable for once. Rousey sold well and had nice facial expressions.
Now, onto the cluster[frick] insanity known as the main event. The match was solid until Ambrose, Rollins, Ziggler, McIntyre, and Lesnar entered the picture. First, I had trouble suspending my disbelief that Reigns and Strowman were out during the long brawl between Ambrose, Rollins, Ziggler, and McIntyre. The distraction was unnecessary and it completely took me out of the match.
Then Brock Lesnar entered.
Oh dear god. So, creative decides to bury not only Braun Strowman, but their Universal champion Roman Reigns. After their long nap, Lesnar attacks both men in a tame manner and lays them out with one F-5 - one. [frick]ing. F-5 - and then the match is declared a no contest because apparently both men couldn’t compete any longer.
Didn’t Reigns kick out of a million F-5’s at WrestleMania? Didn’t Braun Strowman survive vehicular homicide last year? Actually, not just survive, but walk out of the ambulance unaided? But WWE wants me to believe that one F-5 has rendered both competitors unable to fight in a match that wasn't brutal or long enough to warrant this.
This was a crap ending and a lame way to get out of a real winner being determined. It’s also nice that WWE is fine with burying their young talent like Strowman and Reigns, just to make part-timer Brock Lesnar look good. This ending killed the match and left an extremely sour taste in my mouth leaving the event.
Overall, a good show with a shitty ending. If you like chaos for the sake of chaos, feel free to check out the main event. Otherwise, watch everything else, but skip that.