This month is WWE's Hell in a Cell PPV, where the most demonic structure is used not so much to settle a blood feud, but to fulfill an annual obligation. Everyone's on the edge of their seat! This year we have two Cell matches, neither one of which really warrants the Cell gimmick. And we have a very personal regular match that might've actually lent itself to an appropriate use of the Cell. But what do I know?
I will say this show looks quite good on paper, which is more than I can say for most WWE shows lately. I certainly don't care about every match on here but even the ones I'm not that interested in have potential to be solid. So there's that.
Let's get to it.
***Dan is in the lead with 65% accuracy (43/66), Dave and I are tied in second with 62% (41/66), and Landon is pulling up the rear with 56% (37/66)***
Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The New Day vs. Rusev Day
It's the battle of Days! Whenever I have a battle of days, sick days usually win. Anyway, I'm disappointed to once again not see The Bar going after the belts, but maybe they're saving Cesaro & Sheamus for another time. This match doesn't interest me much since I don't see Rusev Day as a serious threat so soon after the New Day won the belts. This'll be ok I guess.
Justin: New Day retain
Dan: Yup
Landon: New Day
Dave: New Day
Hell in a Cell: Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
Really? THIS warrants a goddamn Cell match? This recycled feud from ten years ago, based on essentially "I'm jealous because Jeff is more popular than I am?" Cheer up Randy, at least you're not Roman. Meanwhile AJ and Joe have had a very personal feud over the WWE Title, but they just get a regular match. Makes sense. Is anyone terribly invested in Hardy-Orton, because I sure ain't. As I feared when Orton got involved with Jeff, Nakamura, the US Champion, has been reduced to an afterthought. Fuck this place.
Justin: Orton wins
Dan: Seems pointless to even have this match but I guess RKO.
Landon: Wait, this is actually happening?? Uhh.....Randy?
Dave: Orton I guess
Mixed Tag Match: Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse
I don't care much for this. Maybe my concept of mixed tag matches is stuck in the 80s, but aside from Ronda's debut at this year's WrestleMania I can't remember any truly strong examples of this match type. A feud that's been main eventing Smackdown week after week should culminate in something better than what has traditionally been a sideshow throwaway match. Remember Savage & Sherri vs. Dusty & Sapphire? That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think "Mixed Tag." Maybe the Danielsons and the Mizanins will redefine it here, I don't know. But I'm not terribly excited about this.
Justin: The Bryans stood tall at the end of Smackdown which usually means The Mizes win here. But Miz also won the first match of this feud at SummerSlam. So it's a coin flip. Heads. I'll pick the Bryans.
Dan: Miz & Missus
Landon: Daniel and Brie
Dave: The Mizes
RAW Tag Team Championship: Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose
Justin: Dolph & Drew just won the belts so they retain
Dan: I think The Shield wins here and they get all the belts.
Landon: Diesel and Shawn
Dave: Dolph & Drew
RAW Women's Championship: Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss
This was a squash at SummerSlam and will be again.
Justin: Ronda retains
Dan: Yeah.
Landon: Ronda
Dave: Come on. Ronda.
Smackdown Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch
This match has a chance of stealing the show actually. Becky is pretty red-hot right now and has the crowd solidly behind her, despite being the heel. I daresay this will get the best live response of anything on the show. I just hope they get adequate time to tell their story. Seems like Becky ought to win here even though Charlotte's only had the belt a month. Then Charlotte can chase her for a while.
Justin: I'll pick Becky (I heart Becky....)
Dan: Charlotte
Landon: Steampunk has to stick with Steampunk. Becky.
Dave: No idea. The Champ.
WWE Championship: AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe
These guys stole the show at SummerSlam despite a DQ ending and should easily have the best or second-best match here. Hopefully with an actual finish. I honestly don't care who wins this one, I'll be happy with either guy as champ. Joe definitely deserves a run though.
Justin: I'll take Joe
Dan: AJ
Landon: Samoa Joe
Dave: It's gotta be Joe's time.
Universal Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
Yup, it's the babyface no one likes vs. the heel everyone likes. Fuck's sake with this company. Morons, all of 'em. Well unlike every other Roman main event this year, at least this match will have enough bells and whistles to keep the audience from hijacking it. They'll stay interested if only in the hopes of seeing Braun tip the entire fucking cage on top of Roman. Should be a good main event, Roman's first since WrestleMania. Oh and Mick Foley is the guest referee. I'm not sure what purpose that serves, other than to further distract the audience from booing Vince's favorite muscle guy.
Justin: Roman ain't losing the belt this soon.
Dan: Come on.
Landon: Roman
Dave: Reigns
There's your card - it's the first PPV post-Brock, with both top belts being defended by full-timers, against full-timers. So that's a step forward. Should be a solid PPV for a change.
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