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A lot of fans thought Hell in a Cell was a good show, despite how the main event ended. It was only natural that WWE would continue their momentum from the show on RAW. There was definitely some good on this episode, but it was a mixed bag overall. Unlike last night, I felt like I was losing interest in the action at points.
Chime in with how you felt about the show. Moreover, how excited are you about Super Show-Down and Crown Jewel, the two pay-per-views that will take place outside North America? Do you think international audiences will help or hurt the overall cause?
I really do hope that WWE takes both of these pay-per-views seriously. Because otherwise, we could be in for some extremely boring RAW episodes.
Here is my personal assessment of the events that transpired this week.
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#1 Best: Two (almost three) big title matches
So many of our readers were quite concerned that the Intercontinental Championship was getting buried because it was not announced as part of the proceedings at Hell in a Cell. I'm glad to report that the Championship is still very much in the thick of things. Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins had a fabulous match for the title, although they sold the fact that neither was really fit to compete. It was a fun little match, overall.
Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin was a great match too. We all knew that there was no way Corbin was becoming Champion, but the odds were certainly stacked in his favour. I loved how he came across as a corrupt power crazed General Manager all through the course of this particular contest.
We almost had a Ronda Rousey open challenge as well, right? That would've been cool!
A title match always gets the audience invested because a lot is at stake during the match....
#1 Worst: No Finn Balor at all
Remember how The Demon King returned at SummerSlam this year? Remember how he competed for the Universal Championship the very night after? And now, Finn Balor did not even make it to this week's show, at all. How far down has he fallen?
I really do hope that WWE books him in a feud or angle very soon. It's one thing to leave him off the proceedings at Hell in a Cell, but to leave him off RAW the night after is a bigger sin! I won't even mention Jinder Mahal who was nowhere to be seen at all. Or The Revival or the B-Team!
#2 Best: Keeping Drew McIntyre strong
Drew McIntyre and Dean Ambrose met atop Hell in a Cell last night. And no, nobody really saw them come down. I'm glad to know that both men did make it back down eventually.
Jokes aside, I loved their match at the top of the show. I liked the fact that both men had great chemistry even in a singles environment. I also liked how McIntyre picked up a clean win over the Lunatic Fringe.
This is a pretty good clip of the match finish. What a beautifully executed move.
#2 Worst: Different jobbers, very similar match
Braun Strowman wrestled jobbers for weeks until he was ready for the big time. So, WWE is trying to do much the same with The Authors of Pain. Somehow, it's not the same, and I find myself losing interest in them.
Maybe it's because the jobbers from Strowman's time each cut a promo before the match, making things a little more interesting. Maybe it's because Strowman had more charisma than the Authors of Pain do, at least at this stage of their sports entertainment career. Whatever it is, it's not working.
I do hope that The Authors of Pain get a storyline soon. It will be interesting to see how Maverick fits into the same as well.
#3 Best: The return of Nia Jax
Nia Jax was Ember Moon's mystery partner this week. The crowd erupted when she got the hot tag, as announcer Renee Young predicted they probably would. I thought she looked great and also made a great pairing with Ember Moon. Moon too, seemed fabulous.
Jax is back just in time for Evolution. I do wonder who she will face at the event.
#3 Worst: The Undertaker's return
I honestly believe that Triple H and The Undertaker showing up on different weeks is not helping the match. I lost interest in what Triple H had to say, midway through his promo on last week's show. This time, the same happened with The Undertaker. As exciting as the news about Kane's return was, this segment wasn't interesting.
I sincerely hope that the next time The Undertaker makes an appearances, Triple H makes one as well. If not, people may start losing interest in the 'dream match'.
#4 Best/worst: Bayley
It's easy to forget just how popular Bayley once was, because of how WWE has booked her. It was great to see her pick up a win on this week's show.
At the same time, I do wish WWE puts her in some kind of storyline soon. If not, her wins may soon become meaningless and pointless.
#4 Best/worst: Chad Gable
I love watching Chad Gable in action every week. I sincerely believe he can be a breakout singles star, if given the right opportunity. So, I don't mind him getting TV time every week.
Somehow, I don't see this pairing with Roode being the right device to get him over. Even if Roode turns heel, I see him as the bigger star. Gable will be the man he squashes, to get to the next level.
But for now, I will take what I get. Well worked matches from Gable on a weekly basis.
And a glimpse of the Goddess, even if she didn't become the RAW Women's Champion!
