WWE Hell in a Cell 2011: Why Sheamus vs. Christian Matters for Smackdown

The Celtic Warrior versus Captain Charisma

On its face, this is nothing then a mid-card filler match that was needed to eat time on this Sunday's Pay Per View, "Hell in a Cell".   However, it's one that will have far-reaching consequences for a number of talents on the "Blue" show, along with determining the course over the next few months.

The Rhodes Factor

Ideally, when you match up your number two baby face against your number two heel, you want the match to have some semblance of meaning to it.  There is nothing in the way of making it an official Number One Contender's match or any sort of stake like that, but it has a lot of meaning, as least for Rhodes and Christian.

Sheamus is in the midst of a nice push that's lasted a few months and is now firmly entrenched as the next baby face to receive a title shot.  There really isn't someone stepping up to chase him, with Bryan embroiled in a no-win (for him) angle for him with the Sin Cara saga, while the former Mistico of CMLL fame is in the same boat.

Christian is still relevant as the best heel on the roster not named Mark Henry.  However, he is seeing a challenge to that position from the current Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes. 

Rhodes has been booked very strong as of late, technically defeating Orton twice in as many weeks, winning a ten-man Battle Royal match for his title, and not backing down an inch from the on-air COO, Triple H.  Going further back, he defeated strong man Ezekiel Jackson two times in a row, and beat DiBiase at Night of Champions.

Undoubtedly, he will be featured heavily in SmackDown's extension of the conspiracy angle that's been embroiling Monday Night Raw.   All in all, it means big things for "The Martyred One."  Cody is, arguably, beginning to put it together in terms of gimmick, ring work and charisma. 

In other words, he's on the heels of Christian and is close to usurping the Captain for the vaunted number 2 spot on SmackDown's roster.  Christian needs a victory, in the worst way, to stop or even slow down his fall from grace. 

"This Celtic Warrior bows to no man!"

Ok, so aside from lame recollections of Irish tales that don't really exist, Sheamus is starting to sell the face turn he began a few months ago by stepping up the plate against the current champion Mark Henry.  What matters most is the fans are buying it as well. 

Aside from a PPV loss at SummerSlam, Sheamus has been on a tear as of late, destroying everything in his path, and is 1-1 with Henry after the world's most devastating Brogue Kick on Smackdown a month ago against the World's Strongest Man that put the latter over the announcer's table and knocked him cold.  The long story short, if Orton falls to Henry on Sunday, Sheamus is in the best position to challenge the Heavyweight Champ. 

A loss to Christian, however, would make it two PPV losses in the a row for the "Friendly Fella" from Dublin. As such, it could lead to a loss of credibility for a man who should be gaining steam going into a possible Championship feud, and it may even go so far as to derail any ambitions they have for Sheamus.

The Unofficial Number One Contender's Match

You could argue the booking of the match, and the angle will have consequences for how the WWE deals with the Heavyweight Championship going forward.  They could look to start a feud between Sheamus and Henry, given the recent history between them, while Orton gets put into a program with Rhodes.  

If Christian defeats Sheamus, however, he might have a legitimate claim for "one more match" with the title holder, whoever that will be, and he would have a solid enough case for it with his defeat of the strongman from Ireland, who has been dismantling everything in his way.  Either way, the winner of this match would be in a solid position to challenge for the title.

Overall, and no matter how little importance the WWE places on this match, it's bound to have a large repercussions for SmackDown for the foreseeable future.