This is one that’s been discussed a lot. In comments, in articles and just about anywhere else fans talk about wrestling. Some of us are tired of the PPV named after gimmick matches, as we feel that the name/match requirement is beginning to feel forced. Others are tired of certain ones-Hell In A Cell and TLC most notably-because the matches are harder to do right under the PG guidelines WWE is operating under. There are others still that bear the name of a once very enjoyable annual tradition, only to be largely bastardized-I’m looking at you, “Survivor Series.
In light of the recently concluded Hell In A Cell, and inspired by fan comments leading up to, during and following, I feel it’s as good a time as any to take look upon some WWE PPV with a critical eye. Would I keep them, change them or something else entirely….
Hell In A Cell:
Honestly, I would ditch the name. The match itself can remain in WWE’s repertoire, but doesn’t need to remain linked to one specific event. For one thing, it’s been used at events other than the named PPV, so it’s hardly been exclusive. For another, letting it be employed when called for, rather than when it’s scheduled on the PPV calendar, can make things feel more organic and less forced.
Additionally, because of this current PG era, the match has been sterilized to a great degree. Last night was a perfect case in point. For one, everyone knew those tables were getting broken, as we saw both announce teams take literally everything away from the position ahead of time. Talk about telegraphing. But, for all the action on top of the cage, you just knew that no one-not our key players, not even new corporate stooges Jamie Noble or Joey Mercury-were going to take a fall from the top of the cage. Nope, instead we got a far more tame bump from the middle section of the cell, which while still tremendous, pales in comparison to some of the scarier cell bumps in history.
And, the most obvious other impact of the PG era. Two cell matches, both with a high amount of punishing action and a number of foreign objects in play, and not a single crimson mask was worn. In general, I am fine with the marked decrease in blood. But I do believe, in certain instances, when done right, can add to the event. A cage match, specifically a Hell In A Cell match, is about the best time the WWE would ever have of allowing blood.
How would I change it? Call it Halloween Havoc. You could do any gimmick match you wanted at that point, not just the Cell. Could even let wrestlers spin the wheel to determine the gimmick, if you wanted it to seem less rigged.
TLC:
This one will get mentioned because it, too, is hindered by the PC handcuffs. When these matches were done in the Attitude era, mimicking the ECW style, they were brutal and violent and yes, bloody at times. They can be 2 of those 3 now, but it makes you wonder if they need it at all. This is another one where the stipulation would almost be better off as used only when called for, not when on the PPV schedule. Considering that at Hell In A Cell, both Cell matches employed chairs and tables, all we were missing was a ladder and the TLC match (and PPV) would really have no reason to exist. There should only be one ladder match a year that we truly schedule, that being the Money In The Bank match. I think WWE can retire the TLC moniker, and bring back Starcade or come up with an entirely fresh new year end PPV. Either works.
Survivor Series:
Only going here because, well, it’s the next PPV up, and because this is a major pet peeve of mine. I used to love this event when I was a kid, seeing all the unique teams and how they came up with them, whether four on four or five on five. Lately, we have been given a token actual Survivor Series match, with much of the card consisting of regular matches. To me, the draw of Survivor Series was it was matches that we would not get any other time of the year. We don’t usually see a four on four or five on five match any other time of the year, and now we barely see them on the single event that they were intended to be on. Either go back to the full-on original format (with an exception for a world title match here and there), or retire the name and just become any other generic PPV.
What changes would you make, to these pay-per-views? Keep them? Re-name them?
