The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
Hell in a Cell: Preview & Predictions!
The Kingfish Arnie Katz gets you ready for WWE’s first pay per view event of the fall season.
Hell in a Cell, WWE’s first pay per view is one of those gimmick shows. Sadly, WWE didn’t stick to the all-cage format, but the top matches, at least, will be conducted within the confines of the steel mesh.
It promises a lot of action, but don’t look for a lot of dramatic climaxes. WWE can definitely deliver in the ring, at least some of the time, so Hell in a Cell maybe good viewing even if it isn’t terribly significant.
Let’s look at the scheduled matches and delves into what fans might expect from Hell in a Cell.
John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Championship
The Story: After chasing Rey Mysterio, Ziggler had to redirect his quest for the title toward Morrison. Here he’ll get a crack at the man whom he feels “stole” the title out from under his nose.
My Prediction: It doesn’t seem possible that Dolph Ziggler can lose an IC title match yet again, but that’s probably what WWE plans to do. He’ll look good and the announcers will grudgingly praise his work, but John Morrison will get the decision. If I were booking, I would have Ziggler win and then drop the strap to Mysterio. That would set up a three-way fight at a convenient pay per view.
Predicted Grade: B
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz vs. Jack Swagger
United States Championship
The Story: Once again, the Jumpin’ Jamaican must pt his title on the line against multiple challengers. He’ll be the smallest man in the ring, but Kofi has the biggest heart. Fans must wonder: will it be enough?
My Prediction: This could touch off a feud between Swagger and The Miz, because neither of them will pin Kingston due to each other’s repeated disruptions. Kofi will inject the high spots at appropriate intervals and eventually catch The Miz after Swagger gets temporarily disabled.
Predicted Grade: B+
Mickie James vs. Alicia Fox
Divas Championship
The Story: Gail Kim’s title shot never materialized, because Fox beat her for the designation as the number-one contender for Mickie James’ belt. Fox has seemed to get the better of the champion in skirmishes, but she’ll have to defeat Mickie in the ring if she wants to wear the Divas Championship belt.
My Prediction: When WWE books its women’s division, it often seems like they toss the time-tested principles of booking a wrestling show out the window. Plot support is minimal and he quality of the ring work appears to get very little consideration.
Viewed in that light, there’s no reason why company favorite Alicia Fox shouldn’t take the title. Mickie James is a likely candidate for surgery and may need recuperation time. Fox is an interim champion who could pass it to another babyface or even a tweener like Beth Phoenix or Michelle McCool.
Predicted Grade: C+
Chris Jericho & Big Show vs. Batista & Rey Mysterio
Unified Tag Team Championship
The Story: The Masked Marvel has returned and Batista has come to Smackdown from RAW.Together, they will try to conquer one of the most powerful tag combinations of all time.
My Prediction: This match might kickoff a couple of one-on-one feud, which would be a better use of these four performers. There’s no reason for the champs to surrender their belts, even though they are not a particularly exciting team to watch. The faces will have to look very good, to say the least. A strong possibility is that something will take Batista out of the action, leaving Big Show to finish Rey Mysterio.
Predicted Grade: B
Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase
Hell in a Cell
The Story: The war continues between Legacy and DX. With the four of them inside the steel prison, this Grudge Match will be bloody and brutal.
My Prediction: This is the event’s toughest call. This seems like a bad place to end the feud, which would probably be the consequence of a DX victory, yet Triple H and HBK have looked bad in encounters with Legacy, both in and out of the ring. This state of affairs suggests a screw job ending or a post-match attack. I’ll go with the latter; DX winds, but takes a whuppin’ at the end.
Predicted Grade: A
John Cena vs. Randy Orton
WWE Championship
Hell in a Cell
The Story: This is the big rematch. Neither man will give an inch as the battle for the gold.
My Prediction: This could well be the night’s premier match. John Cena gets the decision, but both men will be battered and bloody by the time it ends.
Predicted Grade: A
CM Punk vs. The Undertaker
World Championship
Hell in a Cell Rules
The Story: The Undertaker has risen, again! He plans to seize control and make CM Punk pay for his pretentiousness.
My Prediction: It’s about time for CM Punk to drop the title and the Undertaker is a fairly logical choice. I expected him to start a championship run, though I thought it would begin later in the year. If Taker wins here, I don’t think he will keep it straight through to WrestleMania, but it could crate some intriguing match-ups.
Predicted Grade: A
Predicted Grade for Hell in a Cell: B+
That’s it for today. I’ll be back on Monday with another installment of the Internet’s fastest-rising daily wrestling column. I’ll have the recap and analysis of Hell in a Cell and you’ll be able to laugh at my predictions.
— Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
[email protected]
(9/3/09)