Unforgiven 2007: A World Title Change Could Not Rescue WWE's September Slump

CM Punk and Elijah Burke open with a match that is technically competent but presented with very little urgency. Burke controls much of the middle by grounding Punk and forcing the champion to work from underneath, while Punk's kicks and quick counters provide the more energetic moments. The problem is that the crowd never fully believes Burke is about to win, and the match does not build toward a strong finishing exchange. Punk survives the control period and catches Burke with a sudden rolling cradle for the pin. The flash finish protects Burke enough to justify another challenge, but it also makes Punk's first pay-per-view defense feel more like a television chapter than a championship statement.

Matt Hardy and MVP remain more interesting as partners than the actual title match around them. Their constant attempts to outdo each other create the best moments, especially when they borrow mannerisms and moves simply to irritate the other champion. Deuce and Domino isolate Hardy long enough to give the match a basic structure, but the challengers never feel dangerous enough to make the titles seem vulnerable. MVP briefly teases abandoning Hardy before returning, and the finish turns the partners' rivalry into an advantage when Hardy throws MVP into Domino and hits the Twist of Fate on Deuce. The character work is fun. The wrestling never rises much above ordinary television fare.

The stipulation gives Carlito permission to use weapons while Triple H must wrestle under normal rules, which should create a meaningful strategic disadvantage. Instead, the match spends too much time reinforcing the opposite idea: Carlito can use chairs, a trash can, and powder, yet Triple H still feels in control whenever the match needs to turn. Carlito's offense creates temporary heat without making a victory believable. The closing sequence exposes the imbalance when a blinded Triple H still catches Carlito, lands a low blow while the referee is distracted, and follows with the Pedigree. The returning star gets another win, but Carlito leaves the supposedly favorable stipulation looking less threatening than before.

Beth Phoenix controls most of the match in the way a future dominant champion should, using strength and rougher offense to keep Candice Michelle reacting rather than dictating. Candice's improvement is visible in the cleaner comeback spots, but the seven-minute runtime does not leave enough room to create a deeper title-match structure. The most useful story is Beth repeatedly overpowering the champion and looking increasingly confident as the match continues. Then Candice reverses a power move into a crucifix and steals the pin. The flash result keeps the title on Candice while setting up Phoenix for another chance at No Mercy. As a chapter in that story it works; as a pay-per-view title defense it feels thin.

The triple threat is the night's best match because Rey Mysterio gives Batista and The Great Khali a pace neither man could create in their SummerSlam singles match. Rey constantly changes the geometry, forcing Khali to turn and reset while giving Batista openings to attack with power. The closing stretch is especially efficient: Mysterio lands the 619 and appears ready to steal the title, Batista removes him, then hits Khali with the spinebuster for the pin. Eight minutes keeps the limitations hidden and makes the title change feel immediate rather than labored. Batista finally wins the championship cleanly enough, and the match succeeds by understanding exactly how long its central dynamic can remain effective.

Cade and Murdoch against London and Kendrick should have more life than it does because the teams offer a clear contrast between power and speed. London and Kendrick create the quicker sequences, while the champions slow the match with isolation work and simple heavyweight offense. Nothing is technically broken, but the crowd remains quiet and the title stakes never become convincing. The challengers finally build a late burst only for the champions to cut it off before the audience can fully invest. Murdoch pins Kendrick after the team's closing power sequence to retain. The match is professionally assembled and almost entirely forgettable, which is exactly the problem on a pay-per-view already struggling for standout moments.

Cena and Orton enter with enough personal hatred to support a violent title match, but the booking intentionally prevents them from delivering one. Cena attacks with aggression from the opening bell, and Orton repeatedly tries to exploit that anger rather than outwrestle the champion. The structure makes sense until the match abruptly becomes the angle. Cena ignores the referee's warnings, continues punching Orton in the corner, and gets disqualified after barely seven minutes. The champion then applies the STF on the floor while Cena's father kicks Orton in the head. The story advances, but the audience paid for a rematch to their excellent SummerSlam bout and receives an abbreviated television-style setup instead.

The Undertaker's return is the attraction, and the entrance receives a reaction large enough to justify the months of buildup. Once the bell rings, the match becomes a slow heavyweight showcase that asks Mark Henry to control long stretches with holds and splashes while Undertaker sells the layoff. The pacing is deliberate without becoming dramatic, and the crowd spends much of the middle waiting for the comeback everyone knows is coming. Undertaker eventually breaks the bear hug, strings together his familiar offense, and finishes Henry with a Last Ride from the corner. The return moment works, but the match is not strong enough to close the pay-per-view after Batista's championship victory.