How AEW Taught WWE A Lesson Last Night

John Cena Spooky Lil Kid
WWE.com

The WWF, constantly searching for new ways of removing itself from the traditional vision of professional wrestling, devised the Hell In A Cell gimmick three years later. It was a masterstroke. Closer in theme and spirit to the old Steel Cage match, the structure allowed for more dynamism and a new strain of storytelling. At its peak, it could be argued that WWE transcended it.

And yet, they continued to book and get wrong the Steel Cage match to diminished returns in parallel. As the years and years dragged on, WWE eroded the mystique and purpose of the stipulation entirely. The stipulation designed to prohibit interference ended far too often via interference. Worse still, sometimes, that interference wasn't even effective (Extreme Rules 2014). It was imposed on several - countless - programmes that hadn't warranted it as a halfhearted ratings grab.

With the hatred often missing, and the purpose missed entirely, the match had degenerated into a very mundane and tedious climbing contest. It became an affront to both drama and psychology. The babyface effectively begged off by climbing, and the climbing took an eternity. Not every Steel Cage match was awful, but all lacked the magic of old. Old isn't the correct word. The Steel Cage match was timeless, and WWE ruined it.

Until last night.

CONT'D...(2 of 5)

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!