Trapped in Kayfabe: Hell in a Cell 2021

by Michael Cruz

It’s time for another WWE pay per view. Unfortunately, I haven’t been this uninterested in a ppv in quite a while. However, I’m a sucker for wrasslin’ and will still watch it. Well, most of it, anyways. Okay, at least the main event.

Despite the conspiracy theories that claim wrestling is fixed, my picks for each match are as follows:

Hell in a Cell 2021

Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre - AEW World Title, Hell in a Cell

Bobby Lashley has really suprised me as champ. Regardless, I still can't root against the man who saved Western Civilization at Wrestlemania 23. Prediction: The Almighty Bobby Lashley

Roman Reigns (c) vs. Rey Mysterio - Universal Championship, Hell in a Cell

I'm sick of WWE constantly telling us Rey and Domique are the first father-son tag team champions. Like, quit lying to us, we're not stupid.. We all know that's Eddie's kid. Reigns is the big dog and Rey is a tiny chuhauhau. Easy pick. Predition: Roman Reigns

Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair - Raw Women's Championship

Don't care. I'll be putting my kid to bed this match. Prediction: We read a dinosaur book and he pees the bed.

Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley - Smackdown Women's Championship

Until Bianca cuts that stupid rope off her head, I will always root against her. At least Bayley is entertaining. Reluctant prediction: Bianca Belair

Alexa Bliss vs. Shayna Baszler

It's hard to not pick the girl who can summon demons. Or have magic powers. Or do whatever it is she does. Prediction: Alexa Bliss


Seth Rollins vs Cesaro

At the time of writing, this match hasn't been announced but seems likely. These guys can put up a good fight but Seth is Seth Freaking Rollins and Cesaro is... Cesaro. Prediction: Seth Rollins

I’m not sure I’ll even watch this show. Half the matches are women’s matches, which means I’ll be fast forwarding through half the PPV. The main event looks fun but I don’t really care about the rest. You know what would make this show hella more interesting? Braun Strowman Prediction: I spend three hours browsing twitter.

Read The Dirtsheets, a dark comedy pro wrestling graphic novel, on Amazon Kindle or paperback

Michael Cruz is a casual wrestling fan who has the internet and is therefore an expert on all things wrestling.


Trapped in Kayfabe: Double or Nothing 2021

by Michael Cruz

I can’t believe it’s already been three months since Eddie Kingston died saving Jon Moxley’s life during the Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match. AEW’s follow-up ppv, Double or Nothing, is this Sunday.

Despite some conspiracy theorists claiming it’s fixed, my picks for each match are as follows:

Double or Nothing 2021

Kenny Omega (c) vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Pac - AEW World Title

I watched TNA for the first time in a decade to watch Omega win their belt. The guy is killing it right now. Pac has to pin Orange Cassidy if he wants to win. I really like Orange, but I doubt he'll put in enough effort to win the match. Prediction: Kenny Omega

The Young Bucks (c) vs. Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston - AEW Tag Team Titles

Eddie Kingston is still alive? It's a miracle! If Jon and Eddie can beat Death from the last ppv, they can beat the Young Bucks. Prediction: Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston

Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. - AEW Women’s World Championship

Not only is Dr. Baker an American, she's from Pittsburgh. Easy choice. Prediction: Britt Baker

Miro (c) vs. Lance Archer (with Jake Roberts) - TNT Title

I've hated Lance Archer since his early TNA days. It's that damn tramp stamp. When conspiracy theorists aren't busy claiming wrestling is fixed, they claim it's gay. Lance's tramp stamp doesn't help dispute that. Besides, the show falls on Rusev Day. Prediction: Miro

The Pinnacle (MJF, Wardlow, Shawn Spears, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) (with Tully Blanchard) vs. The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Sammy Guevara, Santana and Ortiz) - Stadium Stampede (If Inner Circle loses, they must disband)

wtf is a Stadium Stampede match? Regardless, Jericho always has a few tricks up his up his spiked sleeve. Prediction: The Inner Circle

Sting and Darby Allin vs. Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page

I couldn't be less interested in Scorpio Sky and the other guy. Prediction: Sting and Skateboard Sting.

Cody Rhodes (with Arn Anderson) vs. Anthony Ogogo

Anthony Ogogo per wrestlinginc: "I hate this notion that America is the greatest country in the world. ‘Land of the free’, Utter bullsh*t. Land of the free? That’s where they capture kids and stick them in cages?... Americans go, ‘America, best country in the world.’ You ain’t the best country in Northern America if you don’t even look after your citizens, if you take kids away from their parents and lock them in cages."

The only thing more worthless than a government program is a foreigner's opinion. I hope Cody turns him into a good communist. BTW, didn't Ogogo get the memo that "progressives" aren't supposed to talk about the "kids in cages" now that Biden is President? Stupid idiot. Prediction: Cody Rhodes 

Casino Battle Royal - Christian Cage vs. Matt Sydal vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Evil Uno vs. Colt Cabana vs. Preston Vance vs. Jungle Boy vs. Matt Hardy vs. Marq Quen vs. Isiah Kassidy vs. Penta El Zero Miedo vs. TBA

I don't know who most of those people are. I don't care. Prediction: TBA

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Brian Cage (with Taz)

How is it even physically possible for anyone to beat Brian Cage? Prediction: Brian Cage

This is going to be a good show. Nine matches and only one women’s match (take note WWE). The thing I’m looking forward to most is the live crowd, which is just as important as any wrestler inside the ring. Prediction: Aside from having acommie on my television, Double or Nothing is going to be fun.

Read The Dirtsheets, a dark comedy pro wrestling graphic novel, on Amazon Kindle or paperback

Michael Cruz is a casual wrestling fan who has the internet and is therefore an expert on all things wrestling.