The problems began when WWE failed to announce the full card for the show even 2 days before the show was to take place and only revealed the full line-up hours ahead of the event.
However, the show went horribly as the fans in the arena were left fuming after the end of the match chanting “AEW” and “Refund”. The reason for such displeasure among the fans was the way Vince McMahon decided to book the ending of the Universal Championship match between Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins, which saw the match end because of a Disqualification when Seth Rollins used a sledgehammer.
A Hell in a Cell match is supposed to be No DQ by default, and this decision to have the match abruptly due to a DQ was not taken well by the fans. As per a recent report, Vince McMahon was the one behind this call and knows that ‘he messed up’.
Let us take a look at a few other ways Vince McMahon could have gone to prevent such a backlash from fans:
#5. Seth Rollins suffers an ‘injury’
It is clear that WWE did not want to put the belt on The Fiend and so had to book a finish without having Wyatt lose clean. But instead of showing Rollins as the man who causes a disqualification, a better way to go about would have been to have the Fiend destroy Rollins so mercilessly that the match would need to be stopped. Imagine a scenario where The Fiend throws Rollins off the top of the cell leading to EMTs coming out and stopping the match itself.
A legitimate injury angle could have been played out with Rollins being escorted out of the arena on a stretcher. While Wyatt would not have won the Universal Championship, he would still come out of the PPV looking stronger than ever.
#4. One of The Fiend’s previous victims interferes
The Fiend has brutalized many Superstars ever since he made his debut on WWE television. The list of his victims ranges from current Superstars like Finn Balor and Braun Strowman to legends like Kane and Mick Foley. So, what if one of these Superstars decided to get revenge and help Seth Rollins best The Fiend at HIAC.
Kane’s name will forever be associated with the Hell in a Cell as the Big Red Monster had made his debut as an interference in the first-ever HIAC match helping Shawn Michaels defeat The Undertaker. It would have been another iconic moment if Kane made his return and created enough distraction for The Fiend to ensure Rollins picks up the victory.
Another option could have been using Braun Strowman as the man to seek revenge on The Fiend as not only would it help Rollins get a tainted victory while maintaining the credibility of The Fiend, it would also build towards a program between the two former members of the Wyatt Family.
#3. Seth Rollins flees the battle
Do you remember Seth Rollins circa 2015?
The Architect was also the reason for the destruction of The Shield and went on to become one of the greatest heel WWE Champions of this generation. Even if WWE wanted to keep Rollins as the Champion after HIAC, a heel turn from the Architect would have at least made for some exciting new prospects going forward.
While Rollins has done a great job as the top babyface, there is no denying that it doesn’t even come close to his heel persona. Rollins is a natural heel and having him finally embrace that side of his character again, that too against the red-hot fan-favorite Bray Wyatt would have resulted in The Architect again becoming the most despised Superstar on the roster.
While fans may have not liked the Champion fleeing the match in fear resulting in a no contest, it would certainly have opened the doors for many new feuds involving Seth Rollins and even a continuation of The Fiend vs Seth Rollins would have gotten a new layer.
#2. The Undertaker makes a statement
Yes, I know The Undertaker is way past his prime and should retire; but we all know that there is one more big match left in The Deadman - and by big match I mean any match that doesn’t take place at one of the Saudi Arabia shows.
If WWE were certain that the match will be a no-contest, a more interesting way to do so would have been if the gong sounded after the abrupt ending and the with the red lights turning to purple we saw The Undertaker stand in the middle of the ring.
While this would not negate the displeasure of the fans at the actual booking of the match, a confrontation between The Undertaker and The Fiend to end the show would have certainly given chills to the fans and curbed the outraged that followed. The fans would have left the arena not with the disappointment of the main event but with the anticipation of a possible match between WWE’s biggest supernatural characters in The Fiend and The Phenom.
#1. Bray Wyatt causes the ‘match stoppage’
Now, this idea might sound as ridiculous as the actual finish, but I feel one way to soften the blow could have been to announce a few ’tweaks’ to the rules of a HIAC match prior to the clash between Rollins and Wyatt.
Fearing how violent The Fiend might get, WWE could have put out a statement or have the announcers state that no foreign objects have been allowed to be used inside the cage. While this announcement may have led to some fans anticipate the possibility of the ending, it would have still made more sense if it was Bray Wyatt who got carried away and ended up getting disqualified for using a foreign object.
While WWE is calling it a ‘match stoppage’ and not a DQ, having the match be stopped because of The Fiend would have been a better idea in order to protect the persona of the former WWE Champion.
Also Read: Current Champion among others to be sent back to NXT, Surprising reason why company canceled top Superstar’s return
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