After weeks of subpar Monday NIght Raws, we have hit the pay-per-view for the month Hell in a Cell. The lead up to this Sunday’s show has been lackluster, although the women’s feud has been the most must-see part of the show on a weekly basis. It seems as if Smackdown Live has many people talking, even though the same folks are falling asleep by the second hour of Raw.
Moving into Hell in a Cell, the creative team for Raw has a few decisions to make regarding the long-term health of the brand. Do you start building for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania right now? Or do you just continue to go week-by-week, which is what it seems like they’re doing? The landscape of the show could change drastically come Sunday night at 11 p.m. eastern time. In the meantime, let’s make some predictions about WWE Hell in a Cell.
T.J. Perkins (champion) vs. Brian Kendrick for the Cruiserweight Championship
The WWE has done a terrible job of reintroducing the Cruiserweight division back to the company. A ton of multi-man scramble matches which adds nothing to building a division has left apathetic crowds on Raw weekly. Perkins is a standout in the division, along with Rich Swann, but it is Brian Kendrick who got the title shot at Hell in a Cell. Perkins wins a competitive but short match.
Your winner and still champion: T.J. Perkins
Bayley vs. Dana Brooke
An arm wrestling contest and botch filled matches highlight this feud. While Charlotte and Sasha get top billing in Raw’s women’s division, Bayley is left in a feud with Brooke, who has seemingly gotten not one iota better since she moved up to the main roster. Maybe they are using Bayley to help Brooke improve, but obviously it’s not working and Brooke is not over a bit with the crowd.
But it seems like the WWE sees something in Brooke, so the outcome of this match is somewhat in doubt. Here’s hoping for the best.
Your winner: Bayley
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Gallows & Anderson
While someone loves Dana Brooke, no one loves Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The former IWGP Tag champs are in mid-card tag team hell facing Enzo and Big Cass. The same can be said about Enzo and Cass as they are just floating in the WWE with really nothing to do. The Raw creative just wants them to come out, spit their lines that the crowd loves and that’s it.
This should be a competitive match, but it should also be a turning point match. This should be the first match towards a Royal Rumble or WrestleMania match between Enzo and Big Cass and The New Day for the tag titles. They have months to build this. Get to work guys.
Your winners: Enzo Amore and Big Cass.
The New Day (champions) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus for the Raw Tag Team Championship
This match will be a great match, but let’s be honest, it shouldn't even be happening. We got a terrible draw in the best-of-seven series between Cesaro and Sheamus, which resulted in them being thrown together in a tag team. They are just the sacrificial tag team to get The New Day closer to the tag team title record.
The New Day is still going strong, but you are starting to hear the crowds less and less into the group and they need something to pick them up. The proposed match between Enzo and Cass could be what they need to get some steam in their gimmick.
Your winners and still champions: The New Day
Roman Reigns (champion) vs Rusev for the United States Championship (Hell in a Cell)
This feud has been going on for months and it seems that Rusev has become the star of the feud, while Reigns has just stayed the same. Rusev is entertaining, quick witted and his in-ring work has gotten better. Reigns is just...there.
The result of this match can go either way. They could keep the belt on Reigns and let him ride out with the U.S. Title. They could also give the belt to Rusev and move Reigns into the Universal Title picture if the company trusts him once again. I think they may go with the latter.
Your winner and new champion: Rusev
Kevin Owens (champion) vs. Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship (Hell in a Cell)
This match may steal the show, but the build for it has been lackluster. Triple H still has not appeared to explain why he helped Owens win the Universal and why he turned on Rollins. On the flipside, the creative team has done a terrible job of making Rollins a babyface that fans needs to get behind and it’s been two months. This match has to push him into fan favorite status and not walking the line between the good and bad.
Inside Hell in a Cell, these two will pull out some major stunts because they want to steal the show and are capable of it. I just want to see a great match between these and more importantly, have this be the final showdown between these two. It has gone on long enough and it’s time to transition to Triple H vs. Seth Rollins in the near future.
Your winner and still champion: Kevin Owens
Sasha Banks (champion) vs. Charlotte for the Raw Women’s Championship (Hell in a Cell)
This is the match that everyone wants to see become the main event of this show. Instead of making this the main event from the time it was announced, the WWE proclaimed a Triple Main Event, almost undercuts this match. The WWE are still afraid to just give them the spotlight and push the women to another level. Main eventing Raw is good, but considering the stakes and the emotion behind this match, this should be the most important match on the card.
Moving on to the match, Banks and Charlotte will be looking to do exactly what the men could do inside the cell and there’s no doubt that they can do it. Many may not be ready to see women in a Hell in a Cell match, but rest assured, you will see an absolute masterpiece worth the price of admission. If this doesn't main event this show, I am okay with the crowd hijacking the show because it would be a stupid decision.
Your winner and still champion: Sasha Banks.
