After the whirlwind of a night, the WWE gave us a great bathroom break opportunity when Dolph Ziggler gave us a "State of the United States Championship" address. They went all out for this, as the ring was covered in red fabric, there was a podium, and Ziggler came out wearing an Obama-style ensemble. Cole mentioned how the U.S. title belt was extra-polished for the occasion. He talked about the lack of challengers on RAW, and that as the greatest United States Champion of all-time, he demands more competition to take down. The crowd was booing wildly, but it soon turned to cheering when "Radio" by Watt White played. It was the Long Island Iced Z, Zack Ryder! The night after Night Of Champions, Ziggler announced his address would take place at Hell In A Cell. Ryder came out and asked Ziggler why he can't challenge for the belt in two weeks. In response, Ziggler beat down the Long Island native. The next week on RAW SuperShow, Ziggler called Ryder "dead weight" and that he is zero competition. Once again, Ryder challenged Ziggler to a title match, and once again, he was attacked, this time with the title. Looks like the third time might be the charm. When the United States Champion told the Internet Champion to get out of "his" ring, Ryder said he would-right after he put Ziggler down. The Long Island Iced Z beat down Ziggler and even nailed the Broski Boot through the podium. "Woo! Woo! Woo!" chants filled the New Orleans air as Ryder caught The #Heel with the Rough Ryder. WWE's favorite YouTube user raised up the U.S. gold as the New Orleans Arena and the commentators gave him an ovation. "Are you kidding me? This loser comes here and interrupts an insightful speech by Dolph Ziggler for a title match! Understand this, Zack: You're not on Ziggler's level. He said so himself. Go back to Long Island watching your pathetic Islanders, you Jersey Shore reject," said Cole with anger. He hates Ryder and Daniel Bryan. King and Stewart immediately followed that with an in-stereo "Oh, shut up, Cole." "Well, looks like great minds think alike," said King. After that, Randy Orton faced Sheamus. Mike "The Flame" Anderson said the winner of this match will see his stock rise in the World Heavyweight Championship picture, alluding to a possible title match at Vengeance in three weeks. Just as The Viper was about to end it with the RKO, Cody Rhodes came out for some odd reason and simply stared at Orton. That distraction was enough for Sheamus to hit the Brogue Kick and win. After the match, the Intercontinental Champion attacked The Legend Killer with Cross Rhodes and told him through a mic: "You cut the head...off the viper, and all the venom...goes with it. Sleep with one eye open, Randy." Ocal called it "a brilliant move by WWE" and "A feud with a high-profile guy like Orton is exactly what Rhodes needs to elevate himself to the main-event level. Their days in The Legacy make a great storyline already and if WWE decides to give Orton the IC title, it's immediate prestige for the belt." Stewart guessed that Rhodes is taking his frustrations out on Orton because he failed to win the World Title earlier. "Do you listen to yourself when you talk?," said an annoyed Cole. Starting on November 19 (the night before Survivor Series) the WWE will present a new, live Saturday night show entitled Main Event. The 90-minute show will recap the previous week and include interviews with Superstars, updates on injured wrestlers' conditions, and a look at who's in the title hunt. There will even be a panel of studio analysts (Cole, Lawler, Booker, Stewart, and Jim Ross). And on select weeks, there will be wrestling matches. The first interview promises to include someone big. The WWE has tried the news show format in the past and failed for the most part. But now, the company will introduce the concept Main Event. The fun starts on November 19 at 8/7c on USA Network.
Cole, Lawler, Booker, and Stewart recapped the night's action:
Christian def. Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes in a Triple Threat Hell in a Cell Match to retain World Heavyweight Championship
Air Boom (Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne) def. Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) to retain WWE Tag Team Championship
CM Punk def. Alberto Del Rio
Big Show def. Mark Henry in a Hell in a Cell Match
The Executioner def. Triple H in a Hell in a Cell Match; Triple H, by virtue of losing, can no longer run RAW
Sheamus def. Randy Orton
It was time for our last match here in the Bayou. The Cell was lowered for the final time as Cole and King hyped up the WWE Championship match. "And ladies and gentlemen, this match isn't just for a title. It's for validation, and for one night only, throwing friendship away to see who the better man really is," said Cole. This video package was more introspective than the others, as interviews were shown of various WWE Superstars discussing their opinions on Cena and Kelly-McLaurin. When talking about Cena, Triple H said: "I always knew he was destined for greatness. It's hard to believe he still isn't the man around here." Edge, who was forced to retire in January due to spinal stenosis, said: "Cena is without a shadow of a doubt, the toughest opponent I've ever locked horns with. I mean, the strength of this man just makes you say wow." Randy Orton said: "Lots of guys sit here and say Cena learned from them and became who he is today because of them. Well, I learned from Cena. He taught me how to elevate my game, and become more mature and cautious in the ring, so I can't imagine where I'd be without him." When talking about William Kelly-McLaurin, CM Punk said: "He's kind of the badass good guy. While Cena is the Boy Scout (Punk laughs) William isn't afraid of getting in your face and challenging you. Sometimes he's able to get himself into these situations that normal men would collapse under, and then he just sits there and laughs at it. That's what I can appreciate about him." The Miz said: "I learned how to be arrogant and cocky from him. The fans eat up everything he does, and he is so cool doing these things. So far, I haven't been able to gain the support he has and even he's told me that unlike me, he cares about the WWE Universe and shows it. But he's also given me self-confidence and that I shouldn't let what other people say stop me from being awesome. That's exactly why I was able to beat Cena at WrestleMania this year." Christian said: "He's a warrior mixed with sadist in the ring. The more punishing and brutal the situation is, the more he thrives. When TLC came around last year, a lot of the boys were anxious and here he is pissed that he couldn't compete in a dangerous match like that. And he's also battle-tested. I found that out the hard way in Atlanta this year. He has the strongest will in the company and the most competitive attitude in the company." The buildup to the match was then focused on, and we heard Cena tell Kelly-McLaurin: "You need to understand that 2008 is over. The guard has changed, Wade Barrett isn't talking crap when he says it, it's a new era and I plan to lead that era after nine years hurting myself trying to be somebody." Kelly-McLaurin said: "John, once you beat me, you'll be the man. You'll truly be the WWE Champion. But in my mind, I'm not looking at the man. I'm looking at the placeholder. And I'm looking at the seat-warmer. I'm on top for a reason, and even after Hell In A Cell, you still won't know that reason." The time is now for both men to rise up. John Cena or William Kelly-McLaurin? Who wants the WWE Championship more? And who has the bigger heart to suffer in Hell and prosper? "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" by the Beastie Boys played in the New Orleans Arena as Kelly-McLaurin entered to a standing ovation. Cole said how the self-proclaimed Master of the Marcys is no stranger to Hell in a Cell, having competed in it four times and winning three. One of those times was at Vengeance 2005 where he suffered a broken shoulder and retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Triple H. Stewart agreed with Christian wholeheartedly, and that Kelly-McLaurin definitely has the strongest will in the company. "Save the fanboy talk for your blog, Carson," snarled Cole. "Says the guy who kisses Miz's ass," replied Stewart. King said that he doesn't think Kelly-McLaurin is happy for Cena winning the WWE Championship and that he seems upset that he's not holding it. Booker said that he definitely is happy for Cena and he interviewed him earlier in the week at the Hell In A Cell press conference. In the interview, Kelly-McLaurin says that Cena deserves the belt and that he is just simply trying to get him into the competitive spirit. Booker said he admires that mentality and that when you're in championship situations, your friendship can only get you so far and taking care of business needs to be the bigger priority. The WWE Champion arrived next to a chorus of cheers and had a burst of energy heading towards the Cell. Cole said that history is definitely on Cena's side, because in the 14-year history of Hell in a Cell, we've seen 11 championship matches, and the title has only changed hands twice, so the odds clearly aren't in Kelly-McLaurin's favor. On the other hand, experience might end up being the deciding factor, as this is only Cena's second trip into the Devil's Playground. Add to the fact that he lost the only Hell in a Cell match he's ever been in (Randy Orton won the WWE Championship in 2009). Stewart asked the folks watching at home if Cena will still be WWE Champion the next time the company comes to us on pay-per-view. Tickets for Vengeance in San Antonio in three weeks go on sale on October 8. The champion and challenger stared each other down and shook hands with cocky smiles as referee Mike Chioda raised up the richest prize in sports-entertainment. The bell rang and we were underway here tonight in NOLA.
The two men locked up to start tonight. Cole said to expect more in-ring action as neither Cena nor Kelly-McLaurin will utilize the Cell too much. Stewart said for this match, the cage is only a backdrop and nothing else. Funny, that's how it's been for the past two years. Kelly-McLaurin got the advantage first, using various submission holds on the WWE Champion. Cena was especially worn down in the early stages by the surfboard. King said how survival is extremely important for the 2008 Royal Rumble winner. Not only does Kelly-McLaurin have more experience, he knows far more tricks than Cena does so craftiness is a virtue. Cena got out of the surfboard by standing up and slamming Kelly-McLaurin on the canvas. Cena then tried to gain a second wind and nailed his friend with a couple punches and a Fisherman's suplex. Cena clotheslined Kelly-McLaurin and then hit a fallaway slam. Stewart admired how Cena is trying to dig down deep and use offense that is unusual for him. Surprisingly agreeing with that, Cole said that's exactly why Cena is undefeated in "I Quit" matches, because he keeps surviving and thinking of new ways to win. The WWE Champion had a smile on his face and thought of something. Why not use the Cell? It wouldn't hurt. It's just legal that way. King knew Cena had an idea. Within seconds, Cena was tossing Kelly-McLaurin into the Cell wall like a Barbie doll time and time again. Booker said he's hardly ever seen so much aggression out of Cena before, but he likes it. The Cenation leader then put Kelly-McLaurin up on his shoulders and nailed an electric chair drop on the wall. The 9,400 members of the WWE Universe were colored intrigued by Cena's urgent offense. And once again, Cole brought up the hurry-up style of these matches. "This has been one Hell of a pay-per-view," said Stewart. Cole then groaned at Stewart's pun. Cena put the two-time Royal Rumble winner (2005 and 2006) into the ring, and went for the AA, but Kelly-McLaurin broke free and went for Lights Out. However, Cena had the wherewithal to turn it into an inverted AA. BAM! The WWE Champion made the cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Cena climbed the top turnbuckle, and did the "you can't see me." The legdrop to the back of the head did not fail. Cena attempted a proper AA this time, but Kelly-McLaurin kicked him in the side of his head and hit a Zig Zag (stolen from Ziggler). Kelly-McLaurin then took Cena's legs and catapulted him into the turnbuckle. Kelly-McLaurin then stole something from Jack Swagger with three corner slingshot splashes. Even after that, Cena kicked out. The Brooklyn native set the WWE Champion up on the top turnbuckle, met him up there, and the Shining Wizard sent Cena crashing to the floor. When the Cenation leader got up, Kelly-McLaurin gave him no breathing room with a dropkick. This sent Cena bouncing off the Cell wall. The former Undisputed Champion slammed Cena back-first into the wall repeatedly, and at one point, it caused Stewart to say, "It's almost like you don't have a conscience in these types of matches. You're only focused on three things: Destroy, destroy, destroy." The other three men agreed with him the whole way. Kelly-McLaurin then exposed the steel springs on the ring apron, and threw Cena's skull into them. BAM! The WWE Champion was dazed now. Kelly-McLaurin, now having the hunter's mentality, was not content with that and threw Cena into the springs again, this time bloodying him. The old-school rap lover almost had a smile on his face, and King said: "What kind of sick man could be proud of doing that to his friend?" Kelly-McLaurin got a wooden table from under the ring, and attempted a suplex. But Cena countered it into his own suplex on the floor. The WWE Champion grabbed a barbed wire baseball bat and played State Farm Home Run Derby with his friend's skull. Now both men were crimson-masked. Cena took the barbed wire off the bat and put it in the ring. He then hit Kelly-McLaurin with the bat twice more (once in the stomach, and once in the back). Cena put Kelly-McLaurin back in the ring and was prepared to finish him off with the STF. However, instead of using his arms, the WWE Champion used the barbed wire, which was his intention anyway. Now, Kelly-McLaurin's bleeding was getting worse, and he was closer and closer to tapping out. However, he didn't. The Master of Marcys somehow, someway, turned it into a roll-up. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Kelly-McLaurin was much too fast for Cena and he hit Lights Out. BAM! The cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! The arena was at a fever pitch now. "What a match! What a MATCH!," bellowed an excited Cole. A replay was shown of the whole sequence starting with the STF counter while the former Undisputed Champion climbed the top turnbuckle. That table was still there. Before Kelly-McLaurin could fly, Cena got him by rubbing the barbed wire in his face. This temporarily made the Brooklyn native near-sighted and ripe for the picking. Next thing you know, Kelly-McLaurin was on Cena's shoulders, and dumped through a table thanks to an AA. The WWE Champion brought his friend back in the ring and propped him up on the top turnbuckle, going for a final AA. However, Cena was stunned. Literally. Kelly-McLaurin was in enough capacitation to hit Cena with a Stone Cold Stunner. The WWE Champion was staggering, but the Brooklyn native made it easier with a second-rope moonsault. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Kelly-McLaurin went for Lights Out, but Cena caught him right in the middle of the big finish and hit the AA. BAM! Cena went for the cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! What was it going to take? With every nearfall, the anticipation only increased. "There's not a whole lot of time left before the big surprise," said Booker. In many ways, he was right. The WWE Champion went for a definitive AA, but Kelly-McLaurin wiggled free and hit Lights Out. Was it truly over? ONE! TWO! THREE! It was over. In a thrilling Hell in a Cell Match that incorporated brutality with Match of the Year-type wrestling, William Kelly-McLaurin had once again won the WWE Championship! "HE DID IT! WILLIAM FREAKING DID IT!," said Cole. As the fans gave Kelly-McLaurin an ovation and The Devil's Playground raised up, the Brooklyn native screamed in happiness as he usually does after a big win. Either that, or he loves watching Britani Knight. Cena, in a show of gratitude, handed Kelly-McLaurin the title. The man was gracious and raised the now-former WWE Champion's arm, as if to show both guys are winners. That only lasted for a short time though, as Kelly-McLaurin stunned the world by kicking Cena low and hitting him in the skull with the WWE Championship! "WHAT IN GOD'S NAME JUST HAPPENED?," said a shocked Stewart. What just happened was William Kelly-McLaurin turned heel. The new WWE Champion yelled at Cena to get the f*** up, and if he didn't, he'll make him. Kelly-McLaurin did exactly that by propping up a defenseless Cena, and hitting Lights Out-HARD. "William Kelly-McLaurin has...has done the unthinkable," said Cole in disappointment. "This is disgusting, just plain garbage," said King. "One thing's for sure: Hell In A Cell was an unforgettable night," said Booker. Stewart simply said he can't do this anymore and the shocked commentators asked where he's going. Once the crowd saw Stewart, Kelly-McLaurin's biggest supporter, leave the announce table, the boos rained down on our new WWE Champion. "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" played again as Kelly-McLaurin raised up his new gold and stood on Cena's fallen back. The same Universe that was chanting his name minutes before was now throwing plastic cups and unfinished cheeseburgers in the ring. Some even threw beer bottles and cups filled with Coke/Mountain Dew/Pepsi/Sierra Mist/Fanta/Canada Dry at the Master of Marcys. And that's how we signed off live from New Orleans. Final result: William Kelly-McLaurin def. John Cena in a Hell in a Cell Match to win WWE Championship (Lights Out). Well, Hell In A Cell, in Booker T's words, WAS an unforgettable event. We saw four Hell in a Cell matches that legitimized the concept once more, a harrowing scene with Awesome Truth and the New Orleans Police Department, our COO losing control of RAW, and a high-profile title change/heel turn. Well, we have three weeks to move forward. How will John Cena react to not only losing his title, but his friend? What can William Kelly-McLaurin do now that he has the gold and even more self-confidence? Who will Christian's next challenger be? Who will run RAW now, and what will Triple H do about "The Nightmare In NOLA?" And what exactly has SmackDown so pumped for Survivor Series, they're planning for the 25th anniversary early? Find out in my next story, Vengeance 2011. I guarantee you will NOT be disappointed!