10 Wrestling PPV Matches Allocated Far Too Little Time
2. John Cena Vs. The Miz - WWE The Bash 2009
Match Length: 05:39
Why it was too short: The narrative heading into the match practically imposed its structure - which if realised properly would have given Cena dignity in victory, and allowed the Miz a platform on which to demonstrate his burgeoning in ring game.
Miz had spent weeks calling out Cena on WWE television, knowing full well that he was on hiatus. Winning several matches by "forfeit", The Miz eventually had an answer to his challenge. The storyline was strong; it thrust Miz into the spotlight, and gave Cena the opportunity to work with a fresh opponent. Prior to this match, it was more or less mandated that he work exclusively with Randy Orton and or Triple H.
The match itself, however, was a burial.
Cena threw Miz around like a jobber, handily thrashing him, seemingly heading towards a squash. While The Miz was allowed to cut off Cena's opening shine, what followed was a head-scratcher. Even watching it live, it felt as though a large portion of the middle stretch had been edited out. After halfheartedly selling Miz's offence, Cena shrugged it off before suddenly,without foreshadowing, launching the five moves of doom sequence.
Worse still, Cena after hitting with the AA casually strolled towards Miz to apply the match-winning STF, as if there was no need whatsoever for a sense of urgency.
The match, oddly enough, was promoted as a feature attraction. The promo video which aired prior to it was almost as long as the bout itself.