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JOHN CENA vs. RANDY ORTON – WWE Championship Match
Cena got a mixed reaction. Cole said nobody gets such a wide range of emotion out of WWE fans as Cena does. Cole said this is the fifth time the WWE Title would be defended in the HIAC and it’s never changed hands. Cole called this one of the great rivalries in the history of WWE. Orton tested the strength of the lock on the door in the opening minute, but then he got early advantage after Cena came after him. Lawler said he suckered Cena to ringside. A loud “Cena sucks” chant rang out. Cole said this Cell is reenforced, stronger than Cells in the past, now meant to absolutely keep people inside. Cena went for an early Attitude Adjustment, but Orton slipped out and then hit a powerslam on a charging Cena. They took turns beating on each other at ringside. Orton got the advantage and brought the top of the ringside steps into the ring. He attempted to DDT Cena off the middle rope onto the steps, but Cena blocked it and backdropped Orton to the floor.
At 7:00 Cena threw the steps at Orton at ringside, but Orton ducked. Orton charged at Cena in the corner, but Cena caught him with a boot to the face and then rallied. The crowd mostly booed as Cena signalled for the You Can’t See Me routine. He hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then set up an Attitude Adjustment. Orton grabbed the top rope and leaped to the floor, snapping Cena’s neck over the top rope in the process. Orton then hit a DDT off the second rope. At 11:00 Cena set up a top rope Attitude Adjuster, but Orton elbowed out and gave Cena an Electric Chair for a near fall. At 13:00 Cena missed a top rope legdrop. Both men were slow to get up. Lawler said each knows the other so well, they can anticipate each other’s moves. Orton brought a chair into the ring. Orton jabbed Cena in the back of the neck and then his chest for a two count. Orton rubbed his temples after Cena’s kickout. Cole said, “He’s got issues.”
By the time he got around to a follow-up move, a leaping kneedrop, Cena recovered enough to move. Cena applied an STF mid-ring. Orton crawled to the bottom rope. Cena dragged him back to the middle. Orton kicked Cena off of him, knocking Cena into the ref. Cena applied the STF again, but the ref was down as Orton tapped. Cena released the hold, apparently assuming Orton gave up and the match was over. He realized there was no ref in the ring and went to ringside to roll him back in. Orton recovered and surprised Cena with an RKO for a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. Lawler said Orton looked like he was going to cry. Cole said that may have been Orton’s last chance, although there’s no apparently reason why it would be (but it’s presumably what McMahon wanted Cole to say, so he said it).
Orton tied Cena up into the ropes and then applied a sleeper from behind. Cena appeared to be out cold. Orton released the hold and sat in the corner and pulled himself to his feet. He waited for the ref to release Cena. Cena fell face-first to the mat. Orton then waited for Cena to raise his head and then kicked him. And then he scored the three count.
WINNER: Orton in 21:00 to win the WWE Title.
STAR RATING: ***1/2 — They tell a good story and have chemistry with one another. No doubt about that. It’s just so familiar at this point that it’s like reading the same great book over and over, or a slightly different book with the same two main characters over and over. Fans are also expecting some blood in this type of intense rivalry. The Cell didn’t come much into play, either.
Backstage: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase tried to celebrate with Orton, telling them that after they win, they’ll have a great night on the town. Orton said they are going to be in the Cell and win or lose they won’t just walk away. DiBiase said they’ve studied the Cell and spent time in it. He said they’re younger, stronger, and faster and have every right to be confident. Cody told Orton he’s starting to sound like his “old man.” Orton said they have no idea what they’re getting into. Orton stood and told Cody, “By the way, I’m not your old man. I’m the WWE Champion, and if I were you two, if I had something to say, I’d listen.” DiBiase said, “If I were you, I wouldn’t underestimate us.” The crowd oohhhed.
<3
Opened: July 16th, 2004
