If there was ever proof that the themed Pay Per View concept was dead and ready to be buried in the WWE, it’s easily the WWE’s fourth instalment of their Hell in a Cell PPV. And this year’s show, live this Sunday from the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, definitely seems the most lackadaisical of the bunch. Only one match will involve the cell (which they’ve barely advertised the importance of this year), and the rest of the card seems to be a mix of bland feuds, and boring throw-together matches. While some of these matches have the ability to be entertaining, this entire event couldn’t be more filler if it tried. So what are my predictions for this Sunday’s event? Let’s take a run down at the card.
PRE-SHOW: JOHN CENA ADDRESSES THE WWE UNIVERSE
Okay, so the WWE clearly wanted to get rid of AJ Lee from the general manager position, but really didn’t know the best way to do so. Turns out it’s as easy as accusing her of being a slut. Most notably, having “relations” with John Cena. This whole angle already seems stupid, so having John Cena open the show by rambling on about how this whole thing is poopy, and how Vickie Guerrero is to blame doesn’t seem like it will make things any more interesting. While it’s good that this will be on the WWE pre-show for Youtube instead of the PPV itself, this still feels like filler that could have been easily replaced with a Justin Gabriel/Antonio Cesaro US title rematch (provided that doesn’t squeak onto the card come Sunday).
RANDY ORTON VS. ALBERTO DEL RIO
Oh Randy. Once the man who could be considered the #2 guy on the roster, now so lost in the shuffle. And this feud with ADR doesn’t seem like it will help elevate him back up. This feud started on the Smackdown after Night of Champions, when Del Rio would attack Orton during and after his match with Big Show. Since then Del Rio has considered himself as the new apex predator of the WWE. So, at least there’s an okay story going into this.
And honestly, it looks to be a good match. Both men can deliver in the ring, and while I don’t expect too much from it, considering the card, this should be the match of the night at least as far as I’m concerned. I see the end being Del Rio attempting the cross arm breaker, but Orton finding a way to counter it into an RKO for the win.
WINNER: RANDY ORTON
KOFI KINGSTON VS. THE MIZ: INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Speaking of matches that should deliver on quality. Another contender for match of the night could go to this rematch from a recent edition of the new show WWE Main Event, where Kofi Kingston would dethrone The Miz from his IC title reign. Kingston has been on a hot streak since breaking from the tag team he had with R Truth. And honestly, it feels like it would be too soon to have him drop the title. I see a similar outcome as we saw from their Main Event match. Miz will try to cheat, only for it to cost him the IC the match, as well as any chances to gain back the gold.
WINNER AND STILL IC CHAMP: KOFI KINGSTON
TEAM HELL NO VS. TEAM RHODES SCHOLARS: WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The combustible element of Kane and Daniel Bryan take on the more well oiled combination of Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. Both teams have been fiercely dominant in the last few weeks, with Rhodes Scholars winning a tag title tournament to get their shot. Bryan and Kane seem more likely to destroy one another than help one another, but since both still want to be the tag team champion, they will certainly put in the effort to keep the gold…err bronze.
This will be another good match on the card, as both teams can deliver in the ring. The only way I could even fathom a Rhodes Scholars victory is if this match somehow involves Matt Striker, who has a beef with Team Hell No. Also with Striker’s past history of being a teacher, he would fit in with Rhodes Scholars. But I don’t see that happening. Nor do I see a title change.
WINNERS AND STILL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: TEAM HELL NO
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KAITLYN VS LAYLA VS. EVE: WWE DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP
I mentioned how stupid the AJ angle was, but this whole angle involving Eve Torres, Layla, and Kaitlyn has honestly been worse. Last month, Kaitlyn was attacked before she could get her Divas title match against Layla. Eve stepped in, and won the belt. Since then, all we’ve known about the assailant was that she was blonde. And despite all the BS, and uninteresting stuff going on, we still have no full answers.
I don’t see this being that good a match. We’ll see some solid back and forth, but nothing too amazing from the three divas involved. I expect to see Eve retain the title after Kaitlyn and Layla finish each other off.
WINNER AND STILL DIVAS CHAMPION: EVE
SHEAMUS VS. BIG SHOW: WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
The first of our two underwhelming main events is easily the best of the two. I gotta admit, I’ve enjoyed how they’ve set this whole angle up. Making the focus of the match more on the power of Big Show’s punch, as well as Sheamus’ Brogue Kick. They’ve also done a great job of keeping Show looking like a true challenge to Sheamus. Having him best the Celtic Warrior at practically every turn.
It will be your average slow paced Big Show match, and Sheamus will put in the effort to try and make a good match out of it. In the end, I really wish I could say I see Big Show going over, but they’ve made Sheamus almost too strong to book in a losing situation like this. So, I see Show missing the WMD Punch, and Sheamus getting the win via Brogue Kick.
WINNER AND STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: SHEAMUS
However, I do see Big Show knocking out Sheamus post-match, which could lead to a possible Dolph Ziggler cash in, and pinfall. At this point, and again with how dominant they’ve made Sheamus, this really seems like the only opportunity Dolph has to get an advantage win on the champ.
CM PUNK VS RYBACK: HELL IN A CELL MATCH FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
This whole match is going to be a mess. First off, Ryback, despite being built as Vince’s latest attempt to be the new super monster of the WWE, just doesn’t look like a guy who can handle long main event matches, like this cell match will be. Also, CM Punk has to make Ryback look like a million bucks, and with how sloppy Ryback has been lately (especially when trying to hit his finisher) that’s going to take some miracle work. And finally, while this is a Cell match, it really feels like the most unnecessary one of all.
At best, this should be a good brawl. And Ryback will look strong for a good chunk of the beginning, before Punk can find a way to take advantage. Now here’s where I have a problem with my prediction. One one hand, I don’t see the WWE being so silly as to have Ryback go over so soon in his run. But then again, I also CAN see them being so silly as to have Ryback go over so soon in his run. The only way I can see a Punk retain is by having Cena get involved, and accidentally cost Ryback the match. In the end, that seems like the most likely outcome, at least to continue the Cena/Punk feud into Survivor Series.
WINNER AND STILL WWE CHAMPION: CM PUNK
Honestly, this whole PPV seems like one to skip. The card is bland, and other than a couple decent matches, there’s nothing that would be worth the money. Not to mention, it’s clear the WWE has already grown tired of the Hell in a Cell concept, or at least know nothing they could book in the cell would come close to the quality of Triple H/Undertaker at Wrestlemania 28. So with that said, I’d say hold your dough, and wait to see if Survivor Series will be a better investment.