Powell's Blog: More thoughts on the C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker finish, big Smackdown angles ignored on Raw, Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, WWE advertising Raw competition

Monday, September 14 – 1:20 P.M. (CT)

-Who really benefitted from the C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker finish last night? I applaud the decision to keep the belt on Punk, but WWE has some work to do when it comes to putting the heat on Punk, Teddy Long, or Vince McMahon. How bad is it that I'm not even sure who they intended to put the heat on? Worse yet, it was the type of finish that left pay-per-view buyers angry with the company more than the heels.

The scariest part about the screwjob finish is that WWE officials obviously thought it was a big deal rather than the lame copout, retread that it was. It wouldn't have bothered me as much if they had put this match in the middle of the show and essentially admitted that they painted themselves into a corner and knew they were delivering a weak finish.

By putting the match on last rather than John Cena capturing the WWE Title, it tells me that they thought this was a hot finish that get fans buzzing. Granted, we're talking about it today, but most of the feedback I've received has been negative. Maybe they can save it with a good followup angle on Smackdown this week.

-It always bothers me when WWE delivers big Smackdown moments at the end of pay-per-views and then treat it like a non-event on WWE Raw so that it can be saved for the Friday show. Just imagine if FOX has glossed over Tom Brady's season-ending injury in Week 1 last year because he plays for an AFC team, and FOX has the NFC coverage package.

-I hate the idea of giving away more than one Hell in a Cell match on the same show. It cheapens the gimmick and creates a "top this" environment for the wrestlers. It was always fun to anticipate whether a feud had reached Hell in a Cell level, but now it's just another annual pay-per-view concept and we know "every main event match" will be fought inside the structure. By the way, who decides whether a match is main event worthy? And how could you have more than one main event? Just a pet peeve.

-Am I the only person surprised to see an advertisement for WWE Raw's big competition for tonight? I checked the website earlier today and was greeted with a big banner ad for tonight's ESPN Monday Night Football doubleheader, which runs opposite the Raw show.

-Is there any truth to the rumor that DX didn't use the tank entrance they used at SummerSlam at last night's show because WWE officials feared that the French-speaking fans would flee the building? Yes, I'm kidding. It was just too easy to pass up. Spare me the hate mail and laugh a little.

-Great start for the Minnesota Vikings yesterday. Adrian Peterson was an absolute beast. His third touchdown run was as good of a run as you'll see all season. Although Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas is a great player, I had to chuckle that Peterson had one of his big games against a team that took Thomas ahead of him in the draft. It still amazes me that Peterson fell to the No. 7 spot. Do you think the Raiders, Lions, Browns, Buccaneers, Cardinals, and Redskins are kicking themselves every time they see his highlight reel? I would be.