Last week, Cageside (along with the rest of the interwebs) got wind of a Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt steel cage Universal title match being advertised for the Nov. 4 Raw on Long Island.
While it’s still interesting they’re still promoting that after Bray was moved to SmackDown in the recent brand split Draft, and for a date after what sounds like a feud-ender at Crown Jewel next week (Thurs., Oct. 31), it also quickly came to light that WWE was running that advertising that same match in Cleveland on Oct. 21 and the next Monday in St. Louis. So it looks like these were mapped out before the debacle at Hell in a Cell, and the company is sticking to their guns.
That’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for them.
Seth Rollins vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship in a Steel Cage match after #Raw goes off the air highlights pic.twitter.com/rK0Uxbkt1A
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) October 22, 2019
Seth Rollins vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship in a Steel Cage match after #Raw goes off the air highlights part 2 pic.twitter.com/f2dAgWJARX
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) October 22, 2019
If you’re not willing to sit through phone video that had to be shot through a cage and in the red light WWE is also sticking to their guns on for all Fiend matches, this was very similar to the Hell in a Cell match. There wasn’t a pile of plunder and a sledgehammer, and in lieu of a referee stoppage, we got Rollins retaining when he scurried out of the cage after one of his stomps. Afterwards, the lights go out and Wyatt slaps the Mandible Claw on the champ outside the cage to get his heat back.
Regarding heat, it’s difficult to gauge the crowd reaction from these clips. Partially that’s because they’re shot near a few young Seth fans (and it’s nice he still has those). Otherwise, it just seems the boos for Rollins and the cheers for The Fiend are much more muted. Maybe that’s because this was at the end of a long night for the folks who stuck around in Cleveland. Maybe it’s because this feud is now getting the worst reaction of all - apathy.
Let us know what you think in the comments - about this match, where the feud stands and how it’s healed/harmed either of the participants.