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Aired live on pay-per-view
Newark, N.J. at Prudential Center

A brief Hell in a Cell video opened the show... Fireworks exploded on the stage. Michael Cole introduced the show and said 16,186 fans were in attendance. He noted that the Hell in a Cell structure is 20 feet high. Jerry Lawler checked in as they ran through the Raw matches on the show.

Jim Ross and Todd Grisham introduced the show from the other announcers' desk and hyped the Smackdown matches. Ross noted that the World Hvt. Championship has never changed hands inside Hell in a Cell.

Powell's POV: You gotta love the extra work that Ross puts in by finding facts like that. The dark match result is available on the main page.

A C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker video aired...

Powell's POV: I'm surprised they're starting with this match. I assume this means they're going to screw Taker again.

1. Undertaker defeated C.M. Punk to win the World Hvt. Championship in a Hell in a Cell match in 10:25. Ross and Grisham noted how confident Punk looked despite the fact that he was about to face Taker in a HIAC match. Justin Roberts introduced the wrestlers once they were both in the ring. Grisham once again noted "the bravado" Punk was showing.

Taker went after show to open the match. He dragged him to ringside and slammed his head into the cage. Punk crawled under the ring to get away from Taker, who pulled a "which way did he go" routine by looking under the ring. Punk emerged a few feet away and kicked the ring steps into Taker's knees.

Loud dueling chants for both wrestlers broke out. The Punk chants were as loud as the Taker chants. Punk hit a plancha on Taker at ringside and came up groaning in pain. He appeared to be shaking his hand or wrist in pain, but he shook it off quickly.

Back inside the ring, Taker went for a chokeslam, but Punk avoided it by kicking his knee. Punk went for the GTS, but Taker avoided it and went for his own finisher, but Punk took out his knee again. A short time later, Punk hit the high knee in the corner, which Taker immediately turned into the Last Ride for a great near fall.

Taker hobbled as he tried to go Old School only to have Punk pull him off the ropes. Punk tried to hit Taker with a chair, but Taker got a boot up and kicked it into Punk's face. Taker followed up with the Tombstone on Punk and scored the clean pin to win the title...

Powell's POV: A strong match. It wasn't a classic HIAC match, but it was very good. No blood for those keeping track of that at home. They used the cell structure early on, but it was a basic match after that. I'm not a fan of the finish. Taker doesn't need the title belt and I'm worried they're going to damage Punk's push as much as they have Randy Orton's by having him lose the title so frequently.

2. John Morrison pinned Dolph Ziggler to retain the Intercontinental Title in 15:45. Ross and Grisham on commentary again. The fans were quiet early on. Grisham asked Ross if he had any nicknames, then said he heard Vince McMahon call him something other than J.R. Funny. Ross said McMahon was nice enough to mention his BBQ sauce.

Morrison went for Starship Pain around 5:45, but Ziggler moved. Dolph took control of the offense for the next couple minutes. The fans slowly got into the match and were excited by some of the late nearfalls. At 12:00, Morrison went for a running knee, but Dolph avoided it and hit a jaw jacker. At 13:35, Diggler hit a great suplex into a bridge for another near fall. Dolph hit a Rocker Dropper for a good near fall.

Dolph went for his finisher, but Morrison held onto the ropes and followed up with a running knee. Morrison came right back with Starship Pain for the clean pin...

Powell's POV: The match was solid and the near falls were fun, but they didn't win over the tough crowd. There were some "This is awesome" chants from a small group of fans, but the fans were in sit back and observe mode more than anything. They were attentive and got into the near falls, but WWE still has some work to do to get both wrestlers over. That said, they did have the unenviable task of following up an HIAC match.

Backstage, Josh Matthews tried to introduced Batista and his partner. Batista cut him off and handled the Rey introduction himself. Rey entered the picture and leapt into Batista's arms. Rey said he and Batista can and will take away the tag titles. Batista said that while JeriShow say they're the best, they've never beaten him and Rey...

Powell's POV: Weak promo that drew very scattered applause from the live crowd.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showed up in luxury boxes and waved to the crowd. No, really. There were some guys in the costumes there for a promotion. We got a Ninja Turtles video game preview afterward...

3. Mickie James pinned Alicia Fox to retain the WWE Divas Championship in 5:25. Cole and Lawler on commentary. A fan held up a sign in the crowd that read, "Where's my ECW Title match?" Love it. The announcers spent the opening minute talking about how brash, arrogant, and negative Fox is. Um, okay.

There were some boring calls as the women traded offense at 4:00. Alicia hit a great Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall. However, seconds later Mickie hit the DDT that dropped Fox awkwardly on her head. Mickie got the pin...

Powell's POV: I hate to say it, but this match belonged on Raw. However, it gave Cole a chance to tell us the Divas are smart, sexy, and powerful at least two times. Shut up with that already! The fans were flat for that one.

4. Chris Jericho and Big Show defeated Batista and Rey Mysterio to retain the Unified Tag Titles in 13:45. No mic time for Jericho, which is a freaking crime. Mysterio and Jericho worked together early. Jericho tagged in Big Show. Mysterio teased tagging Batista, but decided to take it himself, which drew a nice ovation from the crowd. However, Show roughed him up immediately.

Show sat Mysterio on the top rope and delivered a loud slap to his chest. Rey sold it beautifully by falling to the floor at ringside. Show continued to manhandle Rey by reaching over the top rope and pulling Rey over the top rope and back into the ring by his head. Great stuff.

Later, Rey made the hot tag to Batista, who hit a flurry of offense on both heels and scored a nice near fall on Jericho. However, Jericho came back with the Codebreaker and tagged in Show at 10:00. The heels worked over Batista for a bit and then he made a hot tag to Rey at 11:45.

Rey hit some flashy offense on Show and avoided his counter attempts. Rey hit a DDT on Show. He roughed up both opponents and sent Jericho to ringside. Show caught Jericho on the floor, but Batista speared Show and took out both heels. Fun spot. Rey hit the 619 on Show and went for a sprinboard move to follow up, but Show nailed him with the knockout punch in mid-air and then got the pin...

Powell's POV: A very pleasant surprise. I expected the action to be good when Jericho and Mysterio were in, but Show and Batista definitely had their moments. Show and Mysterio had some really fun exchanges. Mysterio didn't get the returning star reaction because he wasn't away long enough. That said, the wrestlers had no trouble getting the fans into the match. This was the most enjoyable match of the night so far. Don't make the mistake of thinking Rey being pinned is a sign he's being punished. He was the obvious choice to lose the match for his team.

The Hell in a Cell structure lowered around the ring. They went to a video of the John Cena vs. Randy Orton feud...

Powell's POV: Wow, they're closing with DX vs. Cody and Ted. I didn't see that coming. Interesting choice. Let all the conspiracy theories regarding Hunter's stroke begin. I'm fine with it if they have the best HIAC match of the night.

5. Randy Orton defeated John Cena in a Hell in a Cell match to win the WWE Championship in 21:25. A mix of cheers and boos for Orton. Mostly boos for Cena, who acknowledged them by saying, "All right," and then nodding and smiling at the fans. A loud "Cena sucks" chant during the opening minute of the match. The "Let's Go Orton" chants were much louder than the "Let's Go Cena" chants.

A loud "RKO" chant broke out briefly as Orton took control of the offense at 2:45. A kid could be heard saying, "Nobody likes you anymore," when the wrestlers fought at ringside. Came came back by ramming Orton's back into the fence. It looked weak. Orton came back and rammed Cena into the ring steps. A small but vocal group of fans chanted, "We want blood."

Randy picked up the ring steps and struggled to throw them over the top rope. When the fans taunted him, Orton gave them an up yours/f-you gesture with his arms. Later, the referee picked up something shiny that feel in the ring and put it in his pocket. It was really big for a blade, but we can hope.

Cena hit the "You Can't See Me" spot and received 80 percent boos. Orton blocked the Attitude Adjustment and came back with a DDT for a near fall. Orton struck the viper pose. He went for the RKO, but Cena fought him off and hit the Attitude Adjustment for a strong near fall.

At 12:20, Orton hit the Electric Chair. Cole was quick to point out that he hit the move inside Hell in a Cell. You know, because that makes the move more punishing for some reason. God, he sucks.

At 15:00, Orton brought a chair inside the ring and slammed it on the back of Cena's neck. Orton got another near fall a couple seconds later. The fans didn't buy into the pin attempt, but Orton showed frustration with not being able to pin Cena afterward. Orton tried to drop a knee on Cena, who moved. Orton's knee slammed into the chair. Cena locked in the STF. Orton reached the ropes, but anything goes Cena didn't have to break the hold.

Cena gave up the hold anyway and tried to drag Orton back inside the ring. Orton turned and kicked Cena into the referee. The ref took a bump to the floor. Cena locked in the STF again. Orton tapped, but the referee was out and couldn't call for the bell. Cena gave up the hold again and dragged the referee back inside the ring. Cena turned and walked into the RKO for a great near fall. Orton showed frustration again.

Orton tied Cena in the ropes and then locked a chokehold around his neck. Orton released the hold. The referee freed Cena, who fell to the mat. Orton hit the big boot to Cena's head and scored the pin. The announcers put over the way Orton's demeanor changed when set up for the kick rather than hyping the title change.

Powell's POV: Good work from both wrestlers, but this didn't feel like an intense HIAC battle. Something's missing. It's red and it used to sell a lot of magazines. Here's hoping they're saving it for the main event. I hate to be so bloodthirsty, but it really does enhance cage and HIAC matches.

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviewed R-Truth. They immediately went to a recap video package before Truth could even say a word. Back to the promo, Truth said it's time for the moment of truth. He said you don't disrespect anybody to get to where you want to be. He said McIntrye has disrespected him a few times.

Powell's POV: I was waiting for McIntyre to attack Truth from behind so they could fight and not have a match. By the way, they made the right call on having the tag match last. They should have no trouble topping the other two HIAC matches. Taker winning the belt would have been a solid way to close the show, but I think the teams can top it. They have to fight to the top of the structure, right?

6. Drew McIntyre defeated R-Truth in 4:40. Ross and Grisham put over the story that Vince McMahon personally signed McIntyre. Truth hit some flashy offense early, but that wasn't enough to wake up the crowd, which didn't care about this one. The boring chants grew louder at 3:00. After some back and forth action, MyIntrye hit a double-arm DDT that appeared to pull Truth's head into his own chest and then got the win...

A shot aired of Orton sitting backstage with the title belt. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase praised him and said they should go out on the town to celebrate after they take care of DX. Orton said that win or lose you don't just walk away from Hell in a Cell. Ted said they're younger and faster than DX. Ted said Orton is starting to sound like his old man. Randy said they have no idea what they're getting into.

Orton stood up and said: "By the way, I'm not your old man. I'm the WWE Champion. And when I have something to say, I'd listen." Ted fired back by saying, "And if I were you, I wouldn't underestimate us"...

Powell's POV: I liked this exchange even though it probably should have occurred on Raw. It established the HIAC as a dangerous, punishing match, and portrayed Ted and Cody as two cocky wrestlers who need to be put in their place...

7. Kofi Kingston defeated The Miz and Jack Swagger in a Triple Threat match to retain the United States Championship in 7:55. Miz cut a heel promo on his way to the ring. He said he'd become the U.S. Champ, but the bad thing was that it had to happen in New Jersey. Kofi is no longer from Jamaica. He's now billed from Ghana in West Africa. Cole said Kofi is still heavily influenced by the Jamaican lifestyle. No, really, that's the explanation.

Lots of action with all three men in the ring rather than the usual spot with one wrestler selling an injury at ringside. The fans liked Kofi, but not enough to get behind him unless he worked for it by playing to them. There was a great spot with Swagger going for a gut-wrench suplex on Miz only to take a big kick to the face from Kingston. Miz followed up with his finisher on Kofi, but Swagger helped break it up.

At 7:45, Swagger hit his finisher on Miz. However, Kofi nailed Swagger with Trouble in Paradise and then covered Miz for the 1-2-3...

Powell's POV: Good, hard work. The fans cheered for the finish, but it's not like anyone was really over in this one. Perhaps the crowd is drained, but I can see why they wouldn't care about Swagger at this point. He's lost so much momentum on Raw.

A DX vs. Legacy video aired...

8. Triple H and Shawn Michaels defeated Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in a Hell in a Cell match in 18:05. DX made their entrance first only to be attacked from behind by Cody and Ted while walking down the ramp. The heels roughed up DX briefly, but Hunter made his comeback less than a minute later. The teams continued to brawl around ringside and briefly into the crowd.

Cody pulled out a chain at ringside and struck HBK's knee with it when he came over the guardrail, but the camera view was blocked by the guardrail. Cody went to the top of the stage where Hunter and Ted were fighting. He struck Hunter with the chain and then hit CrossRhodes on Hunter. The heels went back down to ringside and double teamed Shawn.

With Hunter lying on the stage, the heels brought Shawn inside the HIAC structure and locked the door shut. The referee called for the bell after six minutes and thirty seconds of brawling. Shawn stood up in the middle of the ring and figured out he was in a two-on-one situation. The heels roughed him up while Hunter was still out on the stage.

At 4:45 of the actual match, Hunter made his way to ringside and pawed at the cage door as the heels worked over Shawn. HBK mixed in a couple of hope spots and hit Sweet Chin music at one point, but the heels quickly regained control due to numbers. Hunter grabbed a chair and swung it at the lock and chain that held the door shut. Surprisingly, no one yelled, "Get the sledgehammer, dummy!"

Shawn was on his knees facing the cage. Hunter knelt down on the outside. DiBiase said he was helpless and asked Hunter what he was going to do. Hunter headed up the ramp. The heels gloated and continued to beat on Shawn, who even begged them off by saying, "Please," at one point. This would have been so much more effective with BLOOD.

At 11:20, Ted called out to Cody, "Let's finish him now." Cody held a chair in front of Shawn's face. Ted dropkicked the chair into Shawn and a chair leg accidentally hit Cody too. The heels set up for the same move they used at Breaking Point (figure four around the post, while Ted locks in the Million Dollar Dream).

Hunter finally returned at 13:45 with a bolt cutters, which he used to break the chain. He would have received a bigger pop for breaking the lock with a sledgehammer, but what do I know?

A second referee came down to lock the cage door shut again. There were some groans from the fans. However, Hunter stopped the referee and took the chain from him and used it on the heels. Moments later, Hunter hit the Pedigree on DiBiase on the floor inside the cage. DX dragged Ted to ringside, closed the door, and brought the bolt cutters inside the cell with them.

Hunter wrapped a chair around Cody's neck. Shawn hit a top rope elbow drop onto the chair. Hunter pulled out the sledgehammer from underneath the ring. Shawn tuned up the band and Hunter slammed the sledgehammer down along with him. Shawn hit Sweet Chin Music at the same time as Hunter slammed the sledgehammer onto the side of Cody's head. Ted threw a fit at ringside as Shawn covered Cody for the win.

After the match, the HIAC structure was raised to the ceiling. Ted ran inside the ring to check on Cody and was greeted with Sweet Chin Music. DX did their chops minus the pyro as the crowd applauded, although not as loudly as I'm sure they were hoping they would be...

Powell's POV: This was not the match to close the show with. It just didn't deliver like the opening match did. The live crowd was not in celebration mode afterward. The story was predictable and the lack of blood was a major downer. I thought they would at least spend some time on top of the HIAC structure even though we saw that on Raw. Overall, the show had some fun moments, but the night ended on kind of a blah moment. All that violence and no blood.

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