Reason Why WWE Did the “Contract on a Pole” Match on “RAW” Instead of at “Hell In A Cell”

The latest edition of “Wrestling Observer Radio” dipped into the reason why WWE did the “Contract on a Pole” match on “RAW” instead of at “Hell In A Cell,” where the winner captured a chance to face Seth Rollins in the Hell in a Cell main event. Dean Ambrose defeated John Cena in the bout during the Oct. 13 edition of WWE’s flagship program, earning the main event spot, but why was the match changed from PPV event card to free television?

The report claims WWE officials, namely Vince McMahon, changed the script to “Monday Night Raw” multiple times. Although the Cena vs. Ambrose match was initially advertised for the PPV, the company never truly expected to hold it on Oct. 26. Originally, the company went into Oct. 13’s program thinking that they would move the “Contract on a Pole” match to the “Hell In A Cell” go-home show on Oct. 20. However, plans were changed so that the company would have their main events set in stone two weeks prior to the Pay-Per-View.

Many fans and officials alike have felt as if the company has not done a good job of promoting matches for events as of late. Recent reports claimed that WWE didn’t really care about what they booked, or how long they promoted the card due to the underwhelming price of the WWE Network, WWE’s primary avenue for broadcasting their monthly “PPV” style events. However, it seems as if the company wants to promote “Hell In A Cell” with “definite” main events for more than just six days.

Along with the change of location and date for the “Contract on a Pole” match, other changes were also made for the Oct. 13 “RAW,” such as WWE scrapping on-air appearances by WWE Hall of Famers Ric Flair and Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and an in-ring segment between The Bella Twins. Roberts was filmed for an exclusive WWE App segment instead of appearing on TV, and the Bellas merely appeared on screen during their six-Diva tag team bout.

Editor’s Note:
It’s good that they gave us definitive main events for “HIAC,” but they have GOT to get plans in order prior to the show going live. Makes things way to disorganized. You could tell the finish to the program was just a “go out and wing it” segment, where Cena, Ambrose, Orton, and Rollins just stared at each other for a good 3-4 minutes following Ambrose defeating Cena. Felt weird.