WWE Hell in a Cell 2014 match card preview: Sheamus vs. The Miz

United States championship match

The Miz vs. Sheamus (c)

Wasn't Mr. Awesome just feuding for the Intercontinental title?  Well, he lost that, so his consolation prize is a shot at the United States title.

Who cares?  As long as we get MIZDOW!

The Road to Hell in a Cell

Don't pay any attention to the fact that WWE Creative just basically swapped out the #1 contenders for their mid-card belts.  Or that the men now feuding for the United States and Intercontinental championships earned their title shots, in part, by failing to capture the other belt.  Or that this general lack of storytelling depth is occuring at a time when they really need to build up their intermediary titles due to the absence of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar.

At least they took the time to book a couple of tag team matches to facilitate Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler switiching dance partners.

Since the switch, Miz has earned a couple of WWE's patented non-title victories over the Celtic Warrior.  Perhaps most interestingly, this past week, self-proclaimed Hollywood A-lister let his stunt double take his place in a six-man tag on a team facing off against Sheamus, and Damien Mizdow earned a roll-up win...teasing some potential issues between the Moneymaker and his stand-in.

And, I say interestingly, because while Miz is on some next level mid-card heel $#!+ right now, and Sheamus is an A-grade hoss who's a character tweak away from being a smark favorite, one man has broken through that, and being handed a thankless role in WWE, to become the most entertaining thing on our screens week in and week out.

Behold...Damien Mizdow.

Thanks to Wrestling with Text and the wonderful world of Tumblr for the moving pictures!

What's at Stake?

It's really hard to tell.  Really?  Really.

All three men appear to be where they will be on the card for the foreseeable future, and unless something changes, it's probably the right place for them to be.

Sheamus is talented, but his time in the main event title scene might have ended when he was injured last year.  And the consolidation of the WWE and World Heavyweight titles doesn't leave room in that scene for anyone that the company isn't sure either draws money now or who they see as having a long future.  He's in the midst of a long reign with the U.S title, which is becoming known for long runs while the IC title bounces around from waist-to-waist a lot more, but he's most likely headed toward enhancing someone like Rusev or Bray Wyatt soon, with or without the red, white and blue strap.

Many might wish they could erase Miz's WWE title run from the record books, but it's there, and it gives the A-lister something to crow about as a top notch B-level rudo.  Sandow is uniquely talented, but will probably be settling for a long career as a Santino-for-adults, whether it's as an intellectual savior, master of disguise, or a stunt double.

The great thing about this is that it starts early, as Miz will guest on Mizdow TV on the free Kickoff.  That could change the dynamics of the whole match, if they decide to accelerate the professional rivalry between Miz and his stuntman.  Or it could just be one of the more Awesome (yes, I went there) things you see all night.  For a hint as to why, get your eyes on this.

No matter what happens, stay with Cageside Seats for a blow-by-blow of all the...