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. 

She's Pretty Fly

Tamina attacks AJ
Survivor Series 2012
Photo by WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

I think it's probably way too early for this blog, but I figure what the heck.  Even though we don't know exactly what role Tamina Snuka is playing in this Vickie Guerrero-AJ Lee-John Cena feud, personally I'm glad the second generation diva is finally getting some on screen time again.

I think the last big push for Tamina came earlier in the year when she had an unsuccessful run against then Divas champion Beth Phoenix.  Since then she's been on again, off again on SmackDown! and Raw, depending on when she was needed.  But the WWE tends to do that with the Divas, you see one for about eight weeks, then they disappear again.

Superfly!
Survivor Series 2012
Photo by WWE

Now that Beth is gone and rumors of Eve taking time off to get married, the WWE desperately needs a dominate heel female in my opinion.  Snuka can clearly wrestle as she has improved vastly in the two or so years she's been on the main roster.  I hope her alliance with Vickie Guerrero takes her to the next level and we get to see more of what she's capable of.  The skeptic in me fears she'll end up being a victim who will succumb to AJ as she battles Vickie and her clan.

I will remain optimistic that big things are on the way in 2013 for this deserving diva, and her fellow multi generation cohort Natalya Neidhart gets some time in the spotlight too.

He's Not Kidding

Tyson Kidd

By Kevin Hunsperger 
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

 Tyson Kidd may very well be the most underrated wrestler in the WWE. Colt Cabana used that phrase to describe him on his Art of Wrestling podcast a few months ago. We discussed this on our most recently edition of From the Rafters Radio as well.

 Now that Kidd has earned a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match, he has a chance to shine. I don't think he'll reach the top and secure the briefcase with the guaranteed title shot in it. But I do think he'll put on one heck of a show and hopefully in turn will show the WWE Universe and maybe more importantly, the powers that be, that he deserves a chance.

The Hart Dynasty

 When Kidd arrived in the WWE a few years ago with Natalya Neidhart and David Hart Smith as the Hart Dynasty, I had high expectations. The tandem won the tag team gold and I really thought the dying tag team division was given new life. But alas, not only was their reign a short lived one, the team split up, had a brief feud on WWE Superstars (of all places) and DH Smith was future endeavoured. Since then, Kidd has wrestled primarily on NXT and Superstars (both shows are online). The WWE paired him up with Justin Gabriel and put the two in a dark match for the tag team titles at Wrestlemania. I liked the idea of these two teaming together. They are both risk takers who like to fly. Gabriel got hurt though and Kidd was used as enhancement talent for the likes of Antonio Cesaro and Damien Sandow.

Kidd pins Tensai
Photo from WWE.com

Now, with a pinfall victory over the monster Tensai, Kidd has qualified for the ladder match. I really hope Kidd shines in this match and works his way back on TV and not as someone putting over others. He's got the in ring skills and while this is "sports entertainment" guys like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk have proven that fans do still crave wrestling too. I don't expect Kidd to walk out with the case, but I do think he's capable of stealing the show and taking his rightful spot on Raw and SmackDown!

Battle of the Sexes

Sara Del Rey vs. El Generico (My 1-2-3 Cents)

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I don't know for sure, but I'm fairly certain that intergender wrestling came into existence in the early 1980's when comedian Andy Kaufman would challenge women to matches during his comedy shows.  This blossomed into a wrestling angle in the MidSouth territory and led to more of these man vs. woman matches.  Eventually Kaufman would take on Memphis hero, Jerry "the King" Lawler.

Now I'm no expert on the subject, and quite honestly until a few days ago had never seen an intergender match in person.  Well, I take that back, I did see "Rosey O'Donnell" vs. "Donald Trump" a few years ago when Raw was in St. Louis.  And technically I witnessed first hand Kharma's brief reign of terror in the 2012 Royal Rumble.  But I digress...

Keeping it clean

Recently I watched my first ever Chikara Pro show live and in person.  My friends and I were on hand for "Hot Off the Griddle" in Chicago Ridge.  The main event: Sara Del Rey (the Queen of Wrestling) vs. El Generico.  We had talked about the pending contest on a recent From the Rafters Radio show which sparked a discussion about whether men and women should be in the ring with one another.

After the high quality match between SDR and Generico, I would say heck yes.  As the match went on, I no longer paid attention to the fact that Del Rey is a woman.  This was just two great competitors going at it, giving the fans on helluva show.  Both treated each other with a level of respect that you don't see very often anymore in the world of wrestling or any other walk of life.  When SDR got the pin, I wasn't really all that surprised, as I've seen her work on line and know that she truly has a gift.

Obariyon vs. SDR (My 1-2-3 Cents)

The next night SDR was in action again, this time against Bitari member Obariyon.  I thought this match was a little more aggressive than the one the night before.  Because Obariyon is a rudo (heel) he bent the rules more and seemed to be a bit rougher with SDR.  But again I did not feel like it was excessively violent and Sara really did hold her own.  She lost the contest and when the rest of the Bitari came out to strike, SDR was saved by fellow female wrestler Saturyne.  These two cleared the ring of the rudos and celebrated to the back.

I used the Sara Del Rey stories as an example because I think Chikara does a pretty good job with these types of matches.  However I do think the WWE has in the past done some pretty good intergender matches too.  But only when they are set up as serious matches.  I don't like it when it's an apparent squash like say Kane vs. Kelly Kelly (I don't know if that actually happened, but when there's a rogue GM, I know he's put Kane in their with a helpless Diva)

Chyna wins the IC title

The Chyna-Chris Jericho feud was pretty good back in 1999.  The two battled it out over the Intercontinental title.  I think it's fair to say that Chyna paved the way for Divas to mix it up with the guys.  Jacqueline would also go on to win a "man's" title when she became the Cruiserweight champion.  She also beat Harvey Whippleman for the women's title.  He had won the gold as "Hervina".  That part of history I'd like to gloss over.  And I may have misspoke by giving Chyna so much credit.  As Miss Texas, Jacqueline wrestled men in the USWA prior to Chyna's WWE success.  Regardless, both women hold a place in the history of women's wrestling in my opinion and breaking that gender barrier.

The Knockouts Tag Team Champs (TNA)

On the flip side of the coin you've got Eric Young in TNA who is holding one half of the Knockouts tag team title with ODB.  I'm not sure how I feel about that, as women wrestlers have come a long way, now a guy is encroaching on their title.  Maybe that's a bit hypocritical of me to say.  I'm just not sure I like the idea.

But I do believe that Sara Del Rey, ODB, Beth Phoenix, Natalya Neidhart, and Kharma all have what it takes to compete in the ring against their male counterparts.  Will we one day see a female world heavyweight champion?  I honestly don't think that's out of the question, but right now the women are treated second rate in WWE, so I wouldn't expect to see that happen there in the near future.  I'd suspect we may see SDR as the champ of a large indy promotion first, and she'll once again set the standard for women's wrestling.