Another premium live event means another special edition here at Kathy’s Korner! Also, an honour to be collabing with Lamar again! Last time we did that was for Bash in Berlin which you can check out HERE. And now we’re back for Bad Blood for a bloody good time. So brace yourself for lots of enthusiasm and a scarily long read.
KATHY INTRO: When I picked up wrestling this year, I didn’t think I would love it so much. Each week the episodes have been strong, and each live event has been epic. I love them more and more. I now understand why so many loved it as kids (even though I didn’t). But gosh, Bad Blood really kicked off the spooky month with a bloody fight, packed full of drama, tension and amazing costumes!
Side note, we were in Vancouver for a short vacation trying to look for a bar that would show this and none did. We called everywhere! If you’re on Vancouver and know a place, please do share. We had to go back to our AirBnB to catch it.
LAMAR INTRO: In this new era of Paul Levesque WWE, if a B-side event is as good as a Summerslam or any of the other Big 4 ones; is there even a such thing still as a B-side event?
If, any given night, a big title change can happen at a RAW, and a spectacular ladder title match on a random Smackdown, then episodic TV events are no longer just fillers and build-up segments to a PLE.
Colour me bloody interested.
Hell in a Cell: Drew McIntyre vs CM Punk
Prediction:
KATHY: Drew McIntyre
LAMAR: Drew McIntyre
RESULT: CM PUNK
Thoughts & Ranking:
KATHY: 5/5
CAN I GIVE THIS MATCH A 10/5?! This was my first ever Hell in a Cell and it was BLOODY brilliant! Felt like I was watching The Terrifier. I’m so sad that Drew lost this one but man! Both Drew and Punk put up such a great match!! If you know me, I don’t like Punk, but I thought he held his own in this one.
They had me worked, honestly. I was so stressed out thinking they could really get hurt. It was so violent, and I’m all for it. It makes you really feel how much these two hate each other. I need more of this (as in, I would love more brutal Hell in a Cell matches, not more blood, because I could go to AEW for that). This was done perfectly. If we wanted something spooky, this match definitely set the tone for my favourite time of year! 🎃
LAMAR: 5/5
HOLY HELL. This match brought back attitude era-type violence, and the finality feel of a Hell in a Cell match as the end-all match type. A small rant: I don’t mind blood and extreme wrestling matches, as long as it’s done in proper taste. I don’t care for violent spots just for the sake of being “shocking.”
This match had all that violence without ever feeling like it was being edgy. All the props to both men, as we saw a bloodbath we haven’t seen in a WWE ring in a very long time, and it wasn’t for the sake of being bloody either as WWE has done well in pacing blood only when it’s vital. This match had a realistic hateful approach for both guys, nothing pretty, small package pins, just trying to kill each other with bad vibes. They never looked like they were setting tools up for a spot, and every spot felt intentional. That missed Claymore by Drew with his back hitting the side of the steel steps is NASTY. The toolbox to the head, all the vicious moments but my favourite being the black bag that usually expected to reveal thumbtacks, revealing something much more painful than in terms of character work, the bracelet beads!
I did not think 2024 CM Punk, as much as I am admittedly NOT a fan of his, could put on a match like this. Drew deserves all the flowers as well. How these two kept a rivalry interesting for 10 whole months, and reached such a satisfying conclusion gets nothing but respect from me. The scene post-match with CM Punk needing oxygen, and Drew in tears with his head full of bumps and scars is the perfect picture of this bitter rivalry.
Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs Bayley
Prediction:
KATHY: Nia Jax
LAMAR: Nia Jax
RESULT: NIA JAX
Thoughts & Ranking:
KATHY: 2.5/5
I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. I didn’t like it. Bayley is boring to me, sorry guys. I thought Tiffy would cash in, but she didn’t. I’m not mad at that, she may end up holding onto it as long as possible. I did love Nia’s moment where she just sat up after getting knocked down and thought Tiffy was going to cash in, that was so funny. My husband did tell me that was a very Undertaker move.
LAMAR: 3.0/5
I was not excited for this match, due to being completely underwhelmed by Bayley's post-DMG CTRL storyline, nor was their first match memorable enough to warrant a rematch at this card. Naomi would’ve been a much more interesting challenger; as predictable, we knew Nia would win to continue the Tiffany MITB relationship.
The match was not bad, per se. My favourite moment was when Bayley tried to powerbomb Nia once again, but Nia turned it into a Hurricarna! A Woman this size should not be able to do that, but this is 2024 Nia at her best constantly improving.
No Cash in, but they continue to tease it, which I’m fine with as I’d like Tiffany to hold it for a long time.
Damien Priest vs Finn Bálor
Prediction:
KATHY: Damien Priest
LAMAR: Finn Bálor
RESULT: DAMIEN PRIEST
Thoughts & Ranking:
KATHY: 4.5/5
I will never miss a match with Damien. I mean, I love the guy so much that I have a fictional character named after him. A strong match, love seeing him beat Finn’s hypocritical ass. Speaking of Finn, I really enjoy seeing him play a bad guy, because I so badly want to punch him. The tension in the air for this match was pretty crazy.
I loved seeing Damien rock the red in his outfit this time to match the Bad Blood theme. It looked so good. Both him and Rhea. I figured Damien would win this one since the Terror Twins have been a powerhouse and one of them had to win. A bit of a side note, I know Judgment Day are all about helping each other. But does that mean they can’t win a fight on their own?
LAMAR: 4.0/5
While we got a bloody violent affair with Punk vs McIntyre, this was a good ol’ wrestling match but still with the hateful intensity in the air. The match very much felt like they were trying to get back at each other with every hit (did you that Damien’s elbow to Finn’s face?!). Very back and forth and was a close finisher, and showed chemistry, especially for their first match together. I do think that Finn Balor should’ve taken this, to show he’s still very much capable as a singles competitor after being a sidekick for too long, especially with his capability. Damien would’ve been fine having already been champion this year and already a successful new babyface. But, I don’t hate the decision. I just don’t know where Finn and the Judgement Day goes from here as it’s shown that they aren’t really as much of a threat as they should be.
Also would’ve liked this one to be a clean 1-on-1 match as every other match aside from HIAC had run-ins. This makes it even more painful to see Balor lose cause he had help + hit 3 finishers.
Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley vs Liv Morgan
Prediction:
KATHY: Liv Morgan…
LAMAR: Rhea Ripley
RESULT: LIV MORGAN
Thoughts & Ranking:
KATHY: 4.0/5
Dom in the shark cage has got to be the most hilarious thing!!! Also, how did he unlock the cage?! Must be all that grease from his hair isn’t it? LOL. I got worked again when he fell out of the cage and was hanging. I legit thought his shirt got caught or something and yelled, “Was that supposed to happen?!” To which my husband laughed and said, “Yes.”
This fight was so much fun. As badly as I wanted Rhea to win, I didn’t think both Terror Twins would win. But also, I want Rhea to feel good and like she’s worked to get her belt back. To be frank, in my eyes, she won. Had that new girl I’ve never seen before stepped in, Liv most likely would lose that one.
Let’s also pause for a moment and talk about Dom being a piñata for Rhea’s birthday hahahaha. The man will forever be afraid of piñatas after this!
LAMAR: 4.5/5
This match was the match I thought we would have at SummerSlam had Rhea not just been fresh of injury. Before all the shenanigans began, both Liv and Rhea were having a an exciting match showcasing why they were at the top of the women’s division. Rhea was much more comfortable here than in the first match showing athleticism, while Liv, I think is having the time of her career in the ring and with her newfound Bonnie to Clyde character. I am so happy for her and it's a pleasure to watch this current run as women’s Champion, miles ahead of her first reign where she played a babyface against Rousey.
When Dominick fell from the shark cage, my heart skipped and thought we were going to get a freakish accident happen live!!! But Rhea hitting him with a kendo stick like a pinata was pure entertainment. Then comes the return of Raquel Rodriguez, which I’m also happy for cause this woman is a BEAST.
I would’ve liked a Liv Morgan pin finish, as it would show how strong Raquel is to slam Rhea and put Liv on top of her for a count. A DQ means we continue this storyline, but now with someone like Raquel in the mix to have a fitting Rivalry with Rhea. Keep it coming; this Judgement Day/ Terror Twins storyline doesn’t seem to be slowing down!
Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes vs Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu
Prediction:
KATHY: Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes
LAMAR: Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes
RESULT: ROMAN REIGNS & CODY RHODES
Thoughts & Ranking:
KATHY: 5/5
After Hell in a Cell, I was thinking what match could live up to that. I was wrong. I was very wrong. Me and my husband were so loud during this match we got a noise complaint at the AirBnB we were at LOL!!
I loved the tension in this match. You didn’t just have tension between old and new Bloodline but also between Roman and Cody. Was such a fun match! I love Jacob Fatu so much; that man is rabid!!! And just when you thought it was over, Jimmy Uso comes back!!!! And that tender moment with him and Roman was so sweet.
And that was not all. BUT THE ROCK?! That was so cool. It’s definitely going to cause even more tension within that story now. And just when I thought Roman would continue to walk away after seeing Cody getting beat up by the new Bloodline, Jimmy got him to go back, and that made me so happy. It’s like seeing an enemy-to-lovers type story.
Also, did anyone catch the aftermath?! With Kevin Owens?! KO fucking beats up Cody!!!! That makes me sad, honestly. But I knew it was coming with how things have been playing out between them. Crazy shit!
LAMAR: 5/5
At first, I was salty as to why this would be the main event over Punk vs Drew, but after watching it, I see clearly why it made sense for it to be on last.
As for the match itself, it's cinematic as hell! The slow pacing in the beginning and conversations fleshed out their characters in the ring, giving us time to remind us of everything that’s happened so far with these four. The fact that Cody and Roman and teaming up, the rise of Solo thanks to Jacob Fatu and what it means that they are meeting at the opposite side of Roman. It gave a Wrestlemania Night 1 main event feel! And holy shit is Roman Shredded! The guy has absolute AURA, and he looks completely jacked. He was missed, no one creates an atmosphere in a match like him, even before landing the first punch.
As it picks up, I am entertained by everything Jacob does. From showing his freakish athleticism to just yelling, “I love you, my tribal chief,” to Solo, and getting back up after Cody would land something on him like a maniac. I know many are calling Rookie of the Year belongs to Bron Breakker or Tiffany Straton because they won titles and MITB, but Jacob is very much in that conversation!
You’ve likely seen the match, and that’s why you’re reading this so I point out all my personal feelings as I watched first before talking about the comebacks. Jimmy’s return was beautifully shot, and for some reason, was a surprise to me as I was too into the action! How loudly I cheered when he and Roman hugged, knowing this was the one man who never left Roman’s side. After he helped Roman win, they came back to help Cody being attacked by the bloodline only for Roman to pick up the title and realize how naked he seems without it after holding it for 4 years! There is so much lore and story here, and as if it already wasn’t cinematic of an ending shot we had with Roman and Cody in focus enough…. “If ya smeeeell!” and I just lost it! Jumping over my couch and slamming my fist on the table and all that. He’s back, and way earlier than we expected, signalling a death signal to who? Roman or Cody?
Perfect ending to what many would refer to as a B-side PLE. But the Triple H era has shown that the IC title can change hands on a Monday Night Raw, Ladder match spectacles on a random Smackdown, and B-side PLE can have shocking returns, proper feud finales and 5-star classics.
We Acknowledge This PLE
KATHY: Before I end this, I want to take a moment and talk about Gunther and the Crown Jewel title. That belt is bouuuugiiieeeee!!!! But hey, another PLE? I’m not complaining. Would love to see Gunther face off with Cody. I’m also loving Gunther so much, he’s such a great villain. Constantly trolling everyone, including legends. I don’t know much about Goldberg at all, minus that he was used at the Calgary match against Bret Hart, but that was hilarious. Like the man ate, and left no crumbs!
Another amazing event, with some very fun matches. I think I may like this one more than Summerslam, and that one had Roman returning! I’m really enjoying WWE, it makes me feel like a kid and that I totally missed out growing up. I find that watching it is such a great escape from all the BS going on in the world. I know some criticize the new era, but I just love we’re getting a different form of entertainment and I’m enjoying it so much.
LAMAR: Listen, I’m no Dave Meltzer pro wrestling die-hard obviously, as I gave two 5-star matches because they deserved it based on how much I enjoyed the performances and executed storytelling. I don’t often compare to the past like I’m expecting this Hell in a Cell match to be similar to Mankind vs Undertaker. I say enjoy the product for what it is now, and appreciate how it’s thriving in the current world’s media culture instead of comparing it to what the indies are doing or how much of certain aspects have been done better in history. With this perspective into each event, that’s why Bad Blood is one memorable PLEs that gave me Attitude Era PPV excitement.
A 12 min read?! Damn we went off like Cm Punk and Drew on this write up lol. Nice image picks