Hell in a Cell 2017 predictions

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've talked before about not being a big fan of the Hell in a Cell as a pay per view event. I love the match and in my 1-2-3 cents, it's a time to settle a score. Not every rivalry needs to end up there and instead of it being a yearly mandate, it should be a more organic and natural progression to the match. I still like the idea of Halloween Havoc replacing HIAC as a yearly event, but I digress. We're hours away from this year's HIAC, so here are my quick picks.

Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin will beat the Hype Bros and the heel turn of Zack Ryder will be complete.

Bobby Roode will defeat Dolph Ziggler. I like both of these guys and still believe Roode's Glorious gimmick is better suited for a heel. 

Natalya will retain against Charlotte Flair. I like the idea of building more of a rivalry between these two. I want Natalya's run to mean something and not just be a transitional champion. 

Rusev will beat Randy Orton. He needs the win.

AJ Styles will beat (I hope) Baron Corbin. AJ, of course, doesn't need the U.S. Championship. I can't imagine Corbin's alleged 'dog-house' time is over yet, but stranger things have happened.

Shane McMahon will beat Kevin Owens in the Hell in a Cell falls-count-anywhere match. I've gone back and forth on this, but with the falls-count-anywhere stipulation, more McMahons can interfere and help Shane win and get redemption for his family. 

The New Day will retain against the Usos in the second Hell in a Cell match. I like both teams, but I'd rather New Day move forward as champs.

Shinsuke Nakamura will win the WWE Championship from Jinder Mahal. I've grown bored of Mahal. I'd like to see what WWE does with Nakamura as champ and hopefully, this puts the wheels in motion for a program with AJ.

What are your picks? Weigh in here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page.

Retire the Hell in a Cell PPV this year

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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If you've been keeping up with the blogs and podcasts here from My 1-2-3 Cents you've heard Chad and I both talk about the overuse of the Hell in a Cell matchup with the specialty pay per view. The 2016 show will feature three HIAC matches, plus the one from WrestleMania 32. 

At one time HIAC was a special match that fans anticipated. Now it's an expectation and no only do fans expect at least a couple of these matches in October each year, they also expect to be wowed each time the Superstars step into the cage. Don't get me wrong, I like the Hell in a Cell match. I was in the crowd at the very first one in 1997. 

But it's just not so special anymore. I have no doubt at this year's show all six competitors, including Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks (the first women to compete in the structure), will do an amazing job. I'm not sold that all three rivalries need to be settled in HIAC. I just hope no one gets hurt trying to one-up the other as the show goes on.

Chamber of Horrors
Courtesy: WWE

Here's what I'd like to see in October 2017: the return of Halloween Havoc (I blogged about it earlier this month). Include two HIAC matches there. One would be a "serious" match and one with more of a campy feel with the Chamber of Horrors theme. That match from Havoc '91 featured several "instruments of torture" the wrestlers used on one another during the battle. It was hokey as hell but lots of fun. 

Halloween Havoc 2017 can feature other ghosts and ghouls like the previous events did. Maybe Gangrel can return for a spot match. Kevin Throne, Ariel and the return of The Creatures (two masked wrestlers) could all be a part of the show. Just no Monster Truck matches. 

Bored as Hell

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
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Kevin touched on Mick Foley’s passionate anti-Hell In A Cell promo from RAW.  While I agree Foley showed passion in his speech, I had a different take away on the segment. After listening to Mick rant for ten minutes, I was thinking he’s even more crazy than I thought. 

Mick brought up his injuries from wrestling inside (or more accurately, on top of) Hell In a Cell. If there’s any wrestler who can blame injuries on the “demonic cage” it is most certainly Mick Foley. Being thrown off the top as well was falling through the top of the cage (twice), Mick can definitely make the claim the Cell shortens the careers of those who step through it’s menacing door. Except history would refute those claims. 

The first HIAC
Courtesy: WWE

Prior to this year’s Hell In A Cell show which features a TRIPLE MAIN EVENT OF THREE HELL IN A CELL MATCHES, there have been 30 HIAC matches since its debut on October 5, 1997. Of the wrestlers who have competed in HIAC matches, only CM Punk hasn’t had some sort of physical activity inside a wrestling ring in the past two years. For a match that is so dangerous none of the other participants seem to have any long term negative effects. 

Also, if HIAC is so dangerous, why does WWE trot it out every year for a pay per view and treat it as any other gimmick match instead of the feud ending necessity which was it’s original purpose? As Kevin and I discussed on episode 101 of the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, on this year’s show none of the TRIPLE MAIN EVENT  matches NEED to be inside the cage. The matches are taking place inside HIAC because it would be pointless to have a show called Hell In A Cell and not feature any HIAC matches. 

Courtesy: WWE

While Foley tried to express how dangerous a match that’s treated with as much danger by the participants as any normal squash match, the other aspect of the segment that took me out of the story being told was the look of boredom on both Charlotte and Sasha’s faces. Not only did they appear to not be listening to Foley, when they spoke, they rattled off what sounded like emotionless overly scripted promos. At the end when Sasha told Charlotte, “I’ll see you in hell!” it came off with as much impact as Tommy Wiseau screaming, “You’re tearing me apart Lisa” in The Room. 

While I have no doubt the match between Charlotte and Sasha has the potential to steal the show (and I think it should be the main event), the go home segment did very little to sell me on the intensity or danger of the match itself.

When words speak louder than actions

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The go-home Raw for Hell in a Cell Monday night was full of more talk than wrestling. All participants in the triple main event had time to talk, plus the antics with Chris Jericho pursuing his list, Curtis Axel's promo and the Brock Lesnar-Paul Heyman response to Goldberg meant a lot less in-ring action. While I wasn't a huge fan of all the talk, there was one segment that stood out to me- the contract signing for the Raw Women's Championship.

Not only did Sasha Banks and Charlotte deliver passionate arguments about why they'll win Sunday, but also Mick Foley's call for concern put the segment over the top. Other than the Undertaker and maybe Triple H, no other WWE Superstar has been more associated with Hell in a Cell than Foley. His typically easy going demeanor quickly changed as he warned both women about the insanity they're about to face.

Courtesy: WWE

Mick's emotional recount of all the health problems he's faced through his career resonated with me. It was the best Foley segment I've seen in years. Both women were impacted but remained confident in their resolve. The other thing that made this segment so special was neither woman laid a hand on the other. The contract signing didn't end in the predictable chaos that most signings do. Well done Mick, Sasha and Charlotte. This segment made me even more excited about what I hope will be the HIAC main event. Wooo!

This Really May Be Hell

Brock wins again?
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've said it several times not just here but on my podcast as well, that I'm not a huge fan of specialty pay per views like Hell in a Cell and Money in the Bank.  I think too many of these matches takes away from the times when it's "important" to have competitors squaring off in a speciality match.  We're guaranteed at least two HIAC matches each year.  

Undertaker vs. Mankind
Courtesy: WWE

I don't hate the match itself, as there have been some extraordinary things go on inside and outside the structure.  My favorite is a no-brainer, The Undertaker vs. Mankind from King of the Ring 1998.  It was only the third cell match and the rivalry between the two Superstars had built for years.  Plus the emotional commentary of Jim Ross makes this one of those matches I go back and watch more often than any other HIAC match.

Courtesy: Jake Sharpless
http://rukkus.com/blog/author/jake/

Nearly 20 years and 30 Hell in a Cell matches later, I can't say that I'm overly excited for the 2015 incarnation of the event.  Putting Brock and Undertaker back in the cell for what will hopefully be their third and final match of this series makes sense.  Do I think it will be an outstanding match?  Not likely, but I do know both men will put 110% into the contest. But the buildup of this feud hasn't intrigued me at all.  Well I do like the Bray Wyatt-Roman Reigns rivalry, I don't think they NEED to be in a cell.  I'm not sure any feuds right now on the main roster are HIAC worthy.  That's been a trend in recent years and another reason to argue no need for two of these matches on each October pay per view. (Thanks to Jake Sharpless from Rukkus for the cool graphic)

I have no doubt the wrestling action Sunday will be amazing.  I hope from the creative side of things we are given some new options.  I'm still not sure how I feel about Kane competing for the top prize at this stage in his career.  It's a must to cultivate younger talent.  Kevin Owens. Caesaro. Neville. Rusev. Reigns. Wyatt.  The time is NOW to pull the trigger on these guys.  And stay behind them.

Tyler Breeze
Courtesy: WWE

I'll close with the John Cena U.S. Title Open Challenge.  They flirted with Owens a few months ago being the guy to knock off Cena.  If the "champ" is taking some time off in the coming weeks, Sunday's challenger should be given the ball and a chance to run (and far) with it.  Speculation is that it'll be Tyler Breeze.  I have no problem with that.  Let's see what he can do on the main roster.  I know it's a long shot, but I wouldn't mind it being Daniel Bryan (Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm a mark for him)  Tune in to a later edition of My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast and hear a first hand account of Sunday's action.

The Evolution of Kane

Kane's debut
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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October 5 has become a day for me to write about one of the most iconic characters in WWE history, Kane.  It was on this date in 1997 Kane debuted at the In Your House: Badd Blood pay per view.  I was in the crowd in St. Louis that night when the monster ripped the door off the Hell in a Cell and attacked his "brother" The Undertaker.  The move put the man behind the mask, Glenn Jacobs on course to become a wrestling legend.

WWE

It's hard to believe that was 18 years ago.  Kane's look and personality have changed several times through the years.  Early on he was an unstoppable monster who intimidated everyone he stepped into the ring against.  Tough guys like Mick Foley and Vader were quickly brought down by the Demon.  Eventually Kane evolved into a face who defended smaller guys like X-Pac and Hurricane Helms.  He even found love on more than one occasion.  The monster ditched the mask and set good ol' JR on fire on Raw.  

Corporate Kane
Courtesy: WWE

Most recently Kane was promoted to Director of Operations in WWE.  He was the muscle for Seth Rollins until the champ took advantage of Kane one too many times.  A few weeks ago the Big Red Machine version of Kane returned, pulling Rollins under the ring in dramatic fashion.  But we're still seeing Corporate Kane too.  It's actually become an entertaining duel role gimmick.  I'm not sure in 2015 Kane should be in line for another shot against the champ, but I am enjoying the roles and am happy to see Jacobs still having success. Happy birthday Kane.  It's been a great ride.

Hell of a Show

Bray Wyatt is back
Photo courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter

Sunday night, I attended WWE’s Hell in a Cell show. Going in to the show, I didn’t have high expectations. Talking before the show with a friend who works for WWE, we both commented that the repetitious matches kills fan interested. During the preshow match of Mark Henry vs. Bo Dallas.... I mean, Bo Washington, I accidentally texted my friend instead of Kevin to BOlieve. His 
response: I BOlieve we’ve seen all of these matches enough times already. 

Ambrose vs. Rollins
Photo courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

Even with lack of freshness to the show, overall I felt the show surpassed my expectations and was an overall decent show. Sure there are things I would have changed but there wasn’t anything I downright hated or was bored by on the show. Yet once again, I found myself the apparent Armond White of the Internet Wrestling Community. After I got back to my hotel, I went online and read people’s comments about the show. I was surprised at all the negative comments. 

Rusev wins!
Photo courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents 

I do agree that having John Cena win his match to earn another shot at Brock Lesnar wasn’t needed. WWE really needs to find other workhorses instead of riding their current one until he’s broken down and then figure out who should take his place. I’ll contend that the I-C Title match, the US title match, the Tag Team title match and Big Show/Rusev didn’t move any stories along but they were still all entertaining and good matches. Personally, my biggest complaint was the Ambrose/Rollins match played out like a greatest hits version of previous HIAC matches and the ending was straight out of the WCW/TNA playbook. That doesn’t mean that match was necessarily bad though. 

Cena vs. Orton
Photo courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

Maybe it’s because for once I just sat back and let myself be entertained without over thinking what has happened as to why it was happening. I was surprised Mark Henry didn’t turn on Big Show. I was mildly surprised at John Cena winning. Yes, I know Cena always wins but there was a part of me that figured Randy Orton would get a shot against Brock in Randy’s hometown of St. Louis next month at Survivor Series. I was surprised at Bray Wyatt interfering in the HIAC match and I’m curious as to his motives. 

The Three Stooges (as Chad calls them)
Photo courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents 

One aspect that I think really helped me enjoy the show more than people watching at home was the lack of commentary. When you don’t have to endure the three stooges on commentary arguing, joking and not paying attention to what’s going on in the ring, it’s easier to keep focus on the action and enjoy it without getting annoyed. In fact, I’d recommend in the future to always keeping the mute button on during a WWE show. 

Miz TV
Photo courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

Almost forgot to mention the best part of the show. Since I don’t watch RAW on a regular basis anymore, I had not fully seen Damien Mizdow do his shtick. Mizdow is awesome, as the crowd pointed out during the match between Miz and Sheamus. I hope WWE higher ups don’t see Mizdow as simply a replacement for wacky Santino Marella. Mizdow has the talent and skill to be a major player if given the chance. 

Kissing his way to a new feud
Photo courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

Even with enjoying the show, a lot of my complaints from the HIAC preview blog still stand. Tonight on RAW I hope they shake things up and move things forward. Bring in wrestlers who have gone MIA over the past few months. Shake up the title contender picture and freshen up the overall product. I won’t hold my breath but I’ll keep on BOlieving.

Booking Hell: No Cell Reception

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter

Tonight, I’ll watch my third live Hell In a Cell match, having seen Triple H and the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 28 and the inaugural match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker 17 years ago at In Your House: Bad Blood. At that event, the WWE Universe (then known simply as fans) saw the debut of The Undertaker’s presumed dead baby brother, Kane. Yes, Kane has been on the active roster for 17 years. My math may be a bit off, but I believe Kane has been on the roster a year or two shorter than Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin were active WW(F)E wrestlers combined. 

This year’s Hell In A Cell show features two HIAC matches. The first, Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose actually makes sense to be inside the demonic structure as Dean is seeking revenge for Seth destroying their stable, The Shield, and for putting Dean’s head through a cinderblock.  The second HIAC match, I would personally classify as personal hell taking place in a cell. John Cena battles Randy Orton in match where the winner gets a title shot against Brock Lesnar. If there is any match in WWE that I never care to see in any manner it’s Cena/Orton. They have fought too many times for the match to have any interest. Not only is the match up stale, the number one contender stipulation seems like a tacked on afterthought to put some meaning to the match. Given the way the story has played out over the last month this would be like the Oakland A’s playing the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 World Series.

Outside of the two HIAC matches, the show also features the Usos vs. the DustBrothers, a rematch from last month’s Night of Champions as well as Paige vs. AJ Lee who have fought each other on the last two pay per views. Last month Dolph Ziggler faced The Miz for the Intercontinental title and Sheamus fought Cesaro for the United States title. At HIAC, I-C champion Ziggler will square off with Cesaro while Sheamus will defend his title against The Miz. If these four matches don’t show the lack of creative direction in WWE at the moment, I don’t know what does.

The other two matches announced for the show include the Bulgarian Brute, Rusev looking to add the Big Show to his list of conquered Americans and The Bella twins continue their "gone on too long feud" with the stipulation of whoever loses has to be the other’s personal assistant. Hell In A Cell as a whole looks like the poster child for The WWE Universe’s fear that once shows became available on the WWE Network for just $9.99 a month there would be little effort to separate the shows from Raw or Smackdown.

Having no inner workings of how WWE creative operates, I don’t know what’s going on with the booking plans for shows. I do know that I’ve watched maybe one episode of RAW from start to finish in the last three months. I don’t feel I’ve missed anything. Every week the same people interact with each other to the point where no match at HIAC seems exciting or new.

Where are Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Big E, Fandango and the Wyatt Family? The WWE roster is pretty stacked at the moment yet the creative team seems to only be able to focus on a group of about 15 wrestlers at a time. With RAW being three hours long, along with Smackdown, Main Event and Superstars, there are no reasons why every show needs to feature all the pay per view (or are they monthly specials now) story lines.  If Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins had only interacted twice on the build to HIAC would it have diminished the anticipation of their match?

I am of the opinion that having guys interact and fight on every show leading up to the pay per view reduces the excitement of the match. Maybe it’s the old school fan in me who misses the day of squash matches and short, to the point promos where one wrestler vowed to get revenge/prove superiority/accept a challenge of their opponent. Whatever the case, today’s shows all seem to blend together with no real importance attached to any match.

Will the show exceed my expectations? Hopefully. Will I sit there unimpressed while fans less cynical surround me and go crazy when John Cena’s theme music hits or when The Usos says "Ooh"? Most likely.  I’m sure the show will be decent. It’s just not the show I would have booked if I were in charge. As Owen Hart used to say, “enough is enough. It’s time for a change.” 

Boo: Hell in a Handbasket

Hell in a Cell 2013
Photo by WWE

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter

A few months ago, Kevin started branching out and making my123cents more of a pop culture blog instead of strictly a wrestling blog. I’m thinking I should probably start to follow in his footsteps and write about anything other than wrestling. Last week, I wrote about how I was done watching TNA because I didn’t want to watch WWE-lite.  After watching this year’s “Hell In A Cell” pay per view, I think I don’t care to watch WWE. This show encapsulated the majority of what’s wrong in wrestling today.

Before I get all negative and cynical, I’ll mention the few positives of the show. The opening Tag-Team Title match was, as expected, really good. Goldust is making the most of his return to WWE. Goldy and Cody are working well as a team and their feud with The Shield has provided several exciting matches. 

Summer Rae dropkicks Nattie
Photo by WWE

Summer Rae had her WWE debut match in a mixed-tag match. Summer teamed with dance partner Fandango to battle Natalya Neidhart and The Great Khali.  Anyone who watches NXT knows Summer Rae can deliver inside the ring when given the chance. While she and Nattie had a decent match last night, I can’t get my hopes up too high for the future as WWE is not known to give the Divas much time nor do they let the talented Divas really showcase their talents. 

Now lets move onto the cynicism.  While Summer Rae had a good debut, I couldn’t help but wonder why this match was on the PPV. This wasn’t anything more than what you’d find on RAW or Smackdown. In addition to this match, Hell In A Cell also featured The Real Americans vs. Los Matadores and an impromptu match between Big E. Langston vs. Dean Ambrose that ended in Dean being counted out. Originally Big E was supposed to face Curtis Axel on the YouTube/WWE App pre-show match, but due to Curtis being injured the match was scrapped and the match with Dean was set up during the pre-show. Due to the not being originally scheduled, I anticipated a count out to end the match as I couldn’t see Dean losing the US title nor would it make sense for Big E to lose when he’s starting to get a push. If WWE pulls and audible and continues a feud between these two then the ending to the match could be justified. This match served no purpose other than to fill 15-minutes of airtime on a show with too much filler if it doesn't lead to an extended feud.

Ole! It's El Torrito
Photo by WWE

While Los Matadores and The Real Americans was set up for the PPV over the last couple weeks of RAW and Smackdown, my issues is the match was more about getting El Torito over than anyone else in the match. I may be wrong, but I’d be willing to bet the commentary team spent more time talking about “the bull” than talking about anyone else in the match. This is one of WWE’s biggest problems right now, in my opinion. No wrestler is getting built up to be a major player. Wrestlers are either becoming mid-card comedy/humor fodder (Santino, Fandango, Tons of Funk) or simply stuck into mid-card purgatory (Ziggler, The Miz, Sandow).  This was evident in the two main title matches.

The Champ is here! Again
Photo by WWE

John Cena returned after a two-month hiatus for elbow surgery and promptly won the World Title from Alberto Del Rio.  There was no warm up match to see if Cena was healthy to compete. There was no, he’s been away for two months so now he has to work his way back to the top story. John Cena simply walked into American Airlines Arena and regained the “Being John Cena” title. It’s almost like WWE wouldn’t know what to do if John Cena wasn’t holding a title. Instead of using Cena to help elevate new main event talent, he has to be the man on top. After nine years, it’s time for Cena to not be the main focus. I strongly believe if Cena were gone for at least a year, his return would negate the “Cena sucks” jeers.

Orton wins
Photo by WWE

As bad as Cena winning the World Title is, it’s overshadowed by Daniel Bryan once again looking like a joke. Thanks to a super kick from guest referee Shawn Michaels, Daniel Bryan failed to become a three time WWE champion in the span of two months. After the match, I commented on Twitter that WWE should stick a fork in Bryan, as he’s officially been Zigglered. Even if he wins the title in the coming months, the current storyline has devalued him to the point where I don’t know if fans would buy into him being a credible champion.

In the last five years, how many legitimate main event wrestlers has WWE created? The only name I can think of that may fit the bill is Sheamus. But I’m not even sure if he’s at that level. The lack of trusting anyone other than Cena or Attitude Era wrestlers to be the focus of shows is hindering WWE’s enjoyment factor for me. Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way.

Last week, I said I was done watching TNA. This week, I’m going to say that with the exception of NXT, I think it’s time I take a break from WWE programming. I’ll still keep up to date on what’s happening and will still make plans to attend Wrestlemania 30, though that’s more for the chance to hang out with friends from around the world than about the show. But as for watching RAW or Smackdown on a regular basis, I’m done.

So look for more pop culture blogs in the future. At least until the return of Chikara. 

Boo: Hell in a Cell 2013

Courtesy: WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Another Hell in a Cell pay per view is nearly here.  Like previous HIAC PPVs, the this one features two of the trademark cage matches, Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan will battle for the WWE Championship and CM Punk takes on Paul Heyman and Ryback in a handicap match. I don't read dirt sheets or spoiler reports, so I'm basing my predictions on just what I've seen on Raw and through highlights of SmackDown!

Courtesy: WWE.com

I'll start with the championship match.  Regular readers know I'm not a huge Randy Orton fan.  While I can't exactly pinpoint my disdain with him, I do know I'd rather see just about anyone as the "face" of WWE other than him.  Daniel Bryan on the other hand is probably the fastest rising star the company has had in recent years.  He's not your typical WWE cookie cutter Superstar, and that's what I like about him.  I would love for him to really get a chance to stay at the top of the card for a length of time, but I don't see it happening.

I smell a Shawn Michaels screw job (he's the special guest referee).  With all the "tension" they're showing between Orton, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon and Shawn, I just think it'll go down that way. They're setting us up to believe that HBK is going to be Bryan's advocate, since he trained him, but I predict Shawn delivers some Sweet Chin Music on Bryan and Orton wins the match and the vacated title.  Big Show, who's being built up as the sympathetic hero, will avenge it all and beat Orton for the championship eventually.

Courtesy: WWE.com

CM Punk has had his history with Ryback before.  I think they even met in last year's HIAC with Brad Maddox screwing over Ryback as the referee.  Punk is looking for revenge on Heyman for the loss he suffered.  I would be really surprised if the former WWE Champion lost this contest.  I still gotta wonder if Brock Lesnar is going to be brought back in to finish the story with Punk.  Maybe that chapter continues Sunday night.  I'd love to see Punk get his mojo back and I think this is just the feud to accomplish that.

Courtesy: WWE.com

John Cena makes his return on Sunday against World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.  I want to start off saying I like John Cena.  I think he's great for business, but I wonder if the company is rushing his return.  I also wonder why in the blue hell (sorry Rock) is he getting the WHC match?  Sure he's John Cena, but I find throwing him right back into the title picture is exactly what's wrong with the company.  Guys like Dolph Ziggler continue to toil and put over other talent, while guys who have been around a decade or longer enjoy the main event picture.  I was once told never bet against Cena.  So for that reason, I look for him to win the title, but I have nothing else to base that prediction on.

Courtesy: WWE.com

Big E Langston has suddenly become a contender for the Intercontinental title.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him win the belt Sunday night.  But really, to make the Curtis Axel Project work, he needs to retain.  I really don't think the WWE has done a good job with the development of the Axel character.  I predicted months ago that he was going to be the next Paul Heyman guy, but I feel like he's just kinda there.  Personally, I think they put the IC title on him way too soon, and never really gave him a chance to develop.  He went from not being on TV to almost being over exposed.  I wonder if he's headed down the same path Zack Ryder took.

Courtesy: WWE.com

I love that Goldust is back in the WWE.  I think he and Cody Rhodes make a great team.  I wonder though how long term this deal is for Dustin and whether this is all leading to that much anticipated Cody vs. Goldie match at Wrestlemania.  The Rhodes' Brothers will defend the tag team titles against the Shield and the Usos.  While I don't like to see titles hot potatoed, I do prefer Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins as the tag team champions.  The Usos were under utilized for so long, I still can't buy into them as contenders.

Courtesy: WWE.com

Brie Bella challenges AJ Lee for the Divas Championship.  I'm not going to bash the Bellas in this post, but I'd much rather see AJ in a program with Natalya or even her new bodyguard Tamina Snuka.  Even though the Bellas are getting fan support again, they're a duo I just can't get in to either.  I understand why they're keeping Brie in the spotlight now since she's engaged to Bryan, but I wonder if he loses Sunday, what does that mean for her?  My hope is that AJ retains and Natalya gets another shot at redemption.

As of this writing that's all the matches announced.  Would love to see guys like Ziggler, Damien Sandow, and the U.S. Champion Dean Ambrose involved.  I suspect there will be at least another match or two added, maybe tonight on SmackDown or Sunday on the show.  Let me know what you think.

Boo: Have a Nice Day!

Mankind
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Fans who are just getting to know Mick Foley probably view him as a pretty fun loving guy.  He loves Santa Claus and all things Christmas.  He's a best selling author, including several children's books.  He's a nice guy, who stands up for the little guy.  But those of us who remember him from the early days of his career know that Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy has had quite a few intense personas.

I first learned of Mick Foley when he wrestled as Cactus Jack Manson in World Class Championship Wrestling.   He was a part of Skandor Akbar's Devastation Incorporated.  Jack was tough as nails and an early player in the hardcore wrestling movement.  I really took notice of him when he headed to WCW and teamed with Abdullah the Butcher.  The two tormented Sting, the Steiner Brothers, and Van Hammer.
He lost part of his ear in a battle with Big Van Vader, so even as a babyface, Jack was intense.

Of course, Jack wrestled in ECW too, the land of the hardcore movement.  Barbed wire baseball bats, flaming tables, and thumbtacks ruled the world.  He had legendary hardcore matches with his friend Terry Funk overseas as well.  But it wasn't until his arrival in the WWF in 1996, that I really took notice.

Jack was repackaged as Mankind, a deranged individual who wore a brown leather mask.  He kept that hardcore streak alive, but it was somewhat tamer than what we'd seen him do in ECW, obviously.  I liked Mankind in those early days, but I'll be honest, I didn't think he'd be around long.  I never expected him to excel past the mid-card, much less become a three time WWE champion.

Mankind's brutality made him the perfect opponent for the Undertaker.  I believe he was one of Taker's greatest challenges in the Dead Man's long career.  The two had many classic matches, including the Boiler Room Brawl at SummerSlam 96 in which Mankind and Paul Bearer joined forces.

Mankind & Socko
Photo by WWE

Eventually Mankind would turn face and adopt a sweat sock named Mr. Socko as his "sidekick."  Foley's gimmick lightened up, but he stayed just as intense in the ring.  I think my favorite Foley match from his WWE days was against Undertaker in the Hell in a Cell at King of the Ring 98.  Within the first few minutes, Foley was tossed from the top of that cage and through the Spanish announce table.  Jim Ross, the voice of the WWE, told such an amazing story with his commentary that night and the way Mankind just kept getting up to fight are remarkable.  He was later chokeslammed through the roof of the cage and eventually pinned by Undertaker.

Foley has earned his spot in wrestling history and is now a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.  I'm glad to say I was there (although late) when he got inducted into the HOF earlier this year.  Foley is God (and Good too), thanks for the memories and putting it all on the line for us fans.

Hall of Fame: Foley is Good!

The 3 Faces of Foley
Cactus Jack, Dude Love, Mankind 

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

Even though it hasn't officially been announced on Raw, the WWE has let the cat (or sock) out of the bag with the announcement of the first inductee into the Hall of Fame this year.  It's none other than Mick Foley.

Personally, I think this is a good call by the WWE for a number of reasons.  Obviously, Foley is worthy of the honor.  It makes sense to induct the legend in his own backyard at Madison Square Garden.  Foley has no doubt had a Hall of Fame career.  He went places in the business very few have.  I'm not going to review his resume for you, as if you're a wrestling fan (and most likely you are) you already know Foley's list of accomplishments.

Cactus Jack vs. Vader
Photo courtesy: WWE

I remember Mick Foley's early days as Cactus Jack and even Cactus Jack Manson back in his days in CWA, World Class Championship Wrestling, and the remake of UWF.  I really took notice of him when he entered WCW and began feuding with the likes of Van Hammer (why?) and Sting.  He and Abdullah the Butcher formed a creepy alliance before Jack finally turned face to feud with Vader and team with Max Payne.

Foley falls
Photo courtesy: WWE

Arguably though Foley's star rose significantly upon signing with the WWF.  When he first entered as Mankind, I had no idea he'd excel the way he did.  A couple of personal favorites for me, most notably would be the 1998 King of the Ring Hell in a Cell match with the Undertaker.  The toss from the top of the cage and through the Spanish announce table is a spot that is forever burned in my brain. He literally put his life in the Undertaker's hands that night and luckily it paid off.  JR's emotion that night helped to sell what was already one of the most amazing things I'd ever seen at a wrestling show.

Foley didn't give up though, as that was in the opening minutes of the match.  He climbed back to the top, only to be choke slammed through the top of the structure.  Again, when most guys would have been carried away, Foley came right back to fight the good fight.  He came up short in the end, but earned the admiration and respect of fans everywhere.

Foley wins the gold
Photo courtesy: WWE

Another one of my favorite Foley moments came when he won the WWF title from the Rock the first time around.  It was an unexpected surprise (despite the spoiler given by WCW Nitro)  Foley proved he was the go-to guy in the company.  Sure his body was starting to turn against him, but Foley's years of toiling had paid off.

I'm stoked to see this year's HOF ceremony at Madison Square Garden, and seeing Foley go in as a first ballot candidate will be a true pleasure.  As his book title suggests, Foley is Good!