WWE Hell In A Cell 2015: PREDICTIONS

Sometimes, a wrestling fan will ask this question to themselves: why do I watch anymore?

Post-Summerslam, this has been the case more often than not. The storylines are so bereft of excitement, viewers index fingers are permanently rooted to the channel button, which as a result, means that RAW's ratings are sinking faster than a Cold War submarine. When you couple these elements with Vince struggling to understand that kayfabe is dead in the internet age (thanks Lana & Rusev), it's no wonder that many fans aren't overly excited for Hell In A Cell this Sunday. Hell, if the appearance of some of the WWE's greatest stars couldn't hype people up enough... then there is obviously a problem. RAW's ratings and general fan reaction are a sign of the times... WWE is stale and needs to be given a platform to shift itself into gear. While PPV events are supposed to be a place for storylines to come to a head, in most cases this year, they've not delivered with decent matches due to poor build-up. It means that these events feel as they're worth just as much as the lacklustre product we see weekly and want to avoid them as a result. It's easy to just shrug the shoulders do that, however it is also possible to believe that the next PPV event could be the turning point for the product. Hell In A Cell 2015 is no different. I always say that any PPV card has the potential to surprise, and with a return of the match that delivered a ****1/2 rating at Summerslam with a match type added for good measure, there's reason be a bit more optimistic than you're currently feeling about it.

On a related side note, Shinedown's "Cut The Cord" is the theme song for this years event. The band have done better, and WWE has picked better over the course of this year.

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PRE-SHOW MATCH: Dolph Ziggler, Neville & Cesaro VS Rusev, King Barrett & Sheamus

It's a match that was hastily booked to replace Ambrose and Orton VS Strowman and Harper due to Orton's unexpected shoulder dislocation. The rematch of this past RAW's sole in-ring highlight will be taking place to kick off the event. Wrestling 101 will dictate that those looking strong on the RAW before a PPV will lose at the big show. For this match, that ruling is in effect. I see no reason why the good guys shouldn't be able to get one over on those who defeated them 6 days earlier.

PREDICTION: Ziggler, Neville & Cesaro to win.

DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Charlotte (c) VS Nikki Bella

When looking at this match on paper, a simple conclusion can be reached. Charlotte will retain. She's only held the title for a month, surely she couldn't lose it quickly considering how big of a deal WWE made her win look, as a statement for the 'Divas Revolution'. However, to counteract that, think about the one thing that could easily put that predictable idiom into problematic territory: PAIGE

Simply put, Paige will be the entity that will decide where this match goes. She can screw Charlotte out of the title, building for a multi-diva match or a one on one with Charlotte for Survivor Series, or screw Nikki out of the title so her ambiguous placement in this gigantic team based rivalry remains in question. Whatever happens, the winner of the match will most likely face her in some form, and therefore we must anticipate that this seemingly predictable match isn't going to be what it seems. We may expect Charlotte to easily retain, but the way this story has been woven, there's more to it than meets the eye.

That being said though... seeing Nikki win the title so soon after losing it would make many question what the point of her losing was in the first place? It means that no matter what thoughts go through my head, the inevitable is overall the best option. How it actually ends up happening though... that's still up for debate, which can't be a bad thing.

PREDICTION: Charlotte to retain.

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: The New Day (c) VS The Dudley Boyz

Why they didn't pull the trigger on the title change at the MSG Event? It was the perfect time, as The Dudley's were over and it would have made sense in storyline. There's one thing that makes Hell In A Cell look like the worst possible place for The New Day to lose: they're over with pretty much everyone.

No matter what can be said, The New Day have been the lone highlight in a slew of lacklustre RAW's since they won the titles back at Summerslam, especially since Xavier Woods brought that trumpet into play. While in contrast, the momentum The Dudley's had since returning after Summerslam has diminished, especially since the MSG show. The Dudley Boyz' inevitable victory couldn't be done at a worse time, when The New Day are currently at their strongest. While it does make sense for The Dudley's to win, as they were cheated out of two big opportunities at two consecutive events, but to have it happen at a time when the fans want to see New Day, and want them to remain in their position, having them lose the titles will make both teams worse off in the long run.

The matches between these two teams at Night Of Champions and the MSG Event were uninspiring affairs with very little going on to entice and excite. Hopefully something will be sprinkled in to ensure that this match isn't as predictable as it seems to be... but no matter what happens, we will see a standard tag match with a title change occurring. No matter how wrong it is for both teams. While I personally want The New Day to retain, as it is rare for a heel team to have a clean sweep over a face team in this modern age of pro-wrestling; you can't avoid the inevitable for too long, or it just becomes a sad farce. I wouldn't want the WWE to do that.

PREDICTION: The Dudley Boyz to win the titles.

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Kevin Owens (c) VS Ryback

One thing in this matches' favour is that the preceding match at Night Of Champions was surprisingly entertaining. Owens won in a match where he dictated the story through his working of Ryback's arm and raking his eyes to roll up the Big Guy to claim his first singles title on the main roster. It got **1/2, which is my halfway house rating. It was average, which for a Ryback match was more than I could ask for. The question I have to ask going into the rematch, is what could they do better? Based on what I've seen, there hasn't been much on RAW or Smackdown to really add fuel to the existing fire that had me intrigued for their Night Of Champions encounter. So what else can be said? Well, I would expect a match of similar quality from them. They've proven to have good chemistry, so hopefully the match happening for a second time can be just as satisfying.

However the result is, like all the matches on this card so far: seemingly obvious. Owens retaining is the best option. It's time for Ryback to go after someone else, as this feud has run its course. Sure, it seems weird to have a feud end after two matches, with the face not getting his win, but the WWE needs to think about the long term. Owens is the guy who, with good matches, can bring prestige to this title. So for the benefit of the strap, Owens needs to retain.

PREDICTION: Kevin Owens to retain.

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: John Cena (c) VS TBD

John Cena has done two things over the past year that have arguably proven why he is WWE's most valuable asset:

1. He's been able to make a mid-card title worth something after 7 years of neglect (by their own hand admittedly).

2. He's consistently put on the best matches of pretty much every RAW since he won (and regained) it, as well as some PPV's. Showing to many that he CAN wrestle and put on entertaining matches that make him must-see every time it happens.

Now, whether this claim is true or not is something that many could debate for hours on end; but there's no doubt that the average fan is excited for this match. Not only because of what we've come to expect from the United States Open Challenge in the last 7 months, but the inclusion of a mystery opponent for Cena to face on PPV for the first time adds even more intrigue. The result of this match is a foregone conclusion, with Cena rumoured to be on leave until late December/early January at the latest. Which means SOMEONE has to come along and take the title off of him. There are four names that come to mind: 

Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman and Dean Ambrose. 

While there is many a name who could take this belt off Cena, these four all have a case to answer for. Both Ambrose and Strowman don't have a match on the card as a result of Randy Orton's injury, so seeing them both make a surprise appearance would be an interesting scenario. It could set up a future feud with Orton if Ambrose wins, and with Strowman it puts Cena up against an opponent that he COULDN'T easily beat. He could then resume the feud upon his return. Seeing Joe storm in and defeat Cena would put a smile on many a face in the crowd and at home. He's a veteran who can dissect another wrestler en pointe. For WWE's superman to believably win against him isn't likely, because there would be no suspension of disbelief and it would make no sense (like Cena defeating Lesnar despite being beaten to a pulp for example). Finally, we have a returning Daniel Bryan, who has a winning record against Cena and admittedly, would be the only opponent who would beat Cena and he'd be happy with it (in character of course). The fans would love it, we'd see another great match from both of them and it would make this show feel greater because of it.

Overall, Cena is losing no matter what. If I was to pick one of the four I've noted above, I'd choose Bryan. Primarily because WWE wouldn't forcibly deny him a return through medical reasons if they weren't waiting for the opportunity for him to be brought back, especially when it's at a time that they need him. Plain and simple.

PREDICTION: Daniel Bryan to challenge and win the title.

HELL IN A CELL MATCH: Roman Reigns VS Bray Wyatt

Looking at how this feud has panned out since Money In The Bank, I'm surprised at one notable thing: Roman Reigns hasn't won yet.

While this statement is technically incorrect as he won with Ambrose at Summerslam, he hasn't won in singles competition in this feud with Bray Wyatt. I can understand WWE's logic, by having Wyatt win at Battleground and getting the upper hand further down the line (with the introduction of Braun Strowman), when Reigns gets his win, it will mean something and be on a stage that would make him look strong. Fast forward to Sunday and you will have your answer. While I have no doubt of Roman's victory, as it will even the score (on the singles match front as well as the tag front), it baffles me to wonder why this is in the Cell in the first place? Sure, it has the intensity but if they're still technically even after Reigns wins, that means one more match is needed. The Cell therefore isn't the feud ender. Which makes me wonder, are WWE making these two look even, so both men look strong in relation to each other in anticipation for another match in 2015 or even 2016 to finish it off on a bigger stage? Or, with this are they setting something much up that's of a larger magnitude? Here's where I think this match has the potential to become really interesting if executed right.

With what I've just stated about this match potentially not being the feud ender, let me remind you that Dean Ambrose faced Seth Rollins at last years event inside the Cell. It wasn't the end of their feud, as they've now finished it almost a year after it started. So there's a chance that a similar event could take place once more, because a former Shield member is once again being involved with Bray Wyatt in the Cell, just like last year. Roman winning won't end the feud, and with Dean Ambrose not in a match now... its sets up something great:

An Ambrose Heel Turn.

It's been rumoured for months, and this match allows it to be set in stone in a way where it all comes together with a good reason. With Roman on the cusp of winning, Ambrose could step in and stop him. The notion of "ANYONE BUT YOU" would make fuller sense, with Ambrose's turn showing that he's jealous of the attention Roman has been getting and the push he's had since the year began, while Ambrose being relegated to lower status by having to wrestle on pre-shows, (potentially) not being on the card at all & having his title matches be unrecognised for what they were by the company. Ambrose stopping Reigns achieving his personal nirvana would be great in setting both men up for a winter feud, although it could easily happen with Reigns winning anyway. Which is why I'm still going for Reigns to win. Wyatt will have Harper, Strowman and the recently returned Rowan by his side, Ambrose will most likely not be out there as Reigns will need to look strong by himself. So regardless of whether Reigns wins or not, that scenario I have mentioned can happen. If it does... then this match will get my utmost approval, because outside of that it looks to be a predictable mess. Lets hope its not for the sake of our sanity.

PREDICTION: Roman Reigns to win.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Seth Rollins (c) VS 'Demon' Kane 
If "Demon" Kane loses, "Corporate" Kane is fired as Director Of Operations

So... here's a match that should've happened months ago, when the idea of the feud was fresh and made sense. In fact, any main event from Battleground to Night Of Champions could have been occupied by this match. Which makes it even crazier when you consider why it had been delayed in the first place. It mostly stemmed from WWE wanting to ensure the WWE Title Match got people watching The Network due to free month offers. Which explains why Lesnar, Cena & Sting all got the spot before the only NATURAL rivalry that Rollins has had since finally laying waste to Dean Ambrose at Money In The Bank. I am relieved to finally see this match is taking place, considering how much time was spent into building it, and with Kane now sporting a split personality gimmick, it makes it even better than it was before. With a stipulation added to the mix though... it takes what this match can do and causes a problem.

Any match that has a stipulation attached always has the result becoming linear and predictable, therefore meaning WWE has to throw the cat amongst the pigeons and come up with something to ensure us as fans don't see it coming and react with disdain. I'm one of the few who are actually EXCITED for this match, others are either indifferent or irritated. Especially with the idea that Kane could actually win. The stipulation has coded that Kane will win, because this split personality gimmick has only just begun, and for it end would be a travesty, because I find Corporate Kane through this guise hilarious and genuinely entertaining. However, Kane being the one to knock Rollins off the perch he's been cockily sitting on seems underwhelming... which many fans would attest to believing. They wouldn't want to see a reversal of fortune, with Rollins chasing a 45-year old Kane as champion for weeks on end. Which is why, I have come to a simple conclusion to satisfy both camps, and it involves one man:

Sheamus.

With Sheamus making it clear at Night Of Champions that he could and would cash in if Rollins was incapacitated, it seems right to have him do the deed, especially knowing he's got a long time to rest up after the pre-show match. If I were booking this smart, I'd have Kane destroy Rollins just enough, resulting in Rollins being desperate to cause a DQ finish, Kane takes Rollins out after having won the match (but not the title) and leaves him for Sheamus to pick the carcass of its championship. I could also see Kane winning the title outright, only to have Rollins in a fit of rage destroy him with a steel chair, leading to the aforementioned Sheamus picking of the carcass. Regardless of how its done, it will result in the same outcome, as far as I'm concerned. Kane won't be the champion when the night ends, which makes many fans happy, and with Kane in legitimate terms "winning the match", even though not in the conventional sense, his gimmick and role as Director Of Operations remains in tact, which makes me happy. As a result, everyone gets what they want. What's not to like? While many would like Rollins to win clean, to ensure he doesn't look weak and prove he's a credible champion, it is a storyline point that has already been done in his Ladder Match with Ambrose. So they need something different to happen to prevent Rollins himself from becoming stale. So that's where my prediction will stand.

PREDICTION: Seth Rollins retains by DQ, only for Sheamus to cash in.

"THE FINAL ENCOUNTER" HELL IN A CELL MATCH: The Undertaker VS Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman)

It's a match that has a lot to live up to. Not just on their Summerslam match, but the Hell In A Cell match held at No Mercy 2002. WWE may have selective amnesia and try to hype this match up as being the epic final confrontation, without mention of the fantastic bloody brawl that happened 13 years ago this month, but it will be the candle to which this match is held up to. Which is an unfair comparison due to what can be achieved in the PG-rated Cell matches we've become accustomed to since 2009.

This match needs to be what their Summerslam match was but kicked up a notch. Their Wrestlemania match was too slow and methodical, which minus the result and the psychology that was prevalent on repeated viewings, was nothing special. The Summerslam match was fast, intense, had momentum and offence shifting on a whim and told a fantastic story. With it being inside the Cell this time, that needs to be amplified. The brawling needs to be more vicious, more risks need to be taken, and blood will need to be spilled. While we can expect that from Lesnar, seeing it from Taker (hopefully not on the level seen in 2002) would add immense value to the quality of this long-running feud and have it be a testament to what constitutes as good in-ring storytelling. Something that Undertaker has been the champion of in recent years.

When it comes to picking a winner, this is genuinely difficult. If we were to believe this is the "final encounter" as advertised, then I would give the win to Taker. As Taker likely wouldn't be making an appearance again until the build-up to Wrestlemania 32 in Texas; having him look strong going into that event would be the ideal scenario, especially if he puts over someone in what looks to be his final in-ring bout. However, if my assumption based on my predictions video from Summerslam proves to be correct, with ONE MORE match happening as a result of what occurs in this match: I would pick Lesnar. I predicted for Summerslam that Taker's win would lead to both men having their rematch at Survivor Series, which would be the 25th Anniversary of Undertaker's debut. With the ensuing match resulting in Lesnar "burying" Taker for good, either in a one on one contest or more likely, a Buried Alive Match. The latter is where I could see this feud going if Lesnar were to win inside the Cell. Taker would be so angry at the prospect of not being able to get his avenge his streak, and have a desire to bury Lesnar with his now deceased streak. It would make for sweet poetic justice, and a very entertaining build-up as a result. It would especially make sense if Lesnar were to cheat like Taker did in August, to further rub salt into the wound. However, just like I said earlier, Lesnar would still walk out, Taker buried, shovel in hand.

Weighing up those scenarios doesn't make it any easier, but it does limit it to two simple choices: Do I choose what I want, or what I believe WWE will do.

On that note, WWE wouldn't have moved their third match to this PPV from Survivor Series if they wanted to continue it. So I will go with The Deadman to reign supreme in his yard, and avenge not only his streak, but the 2002 loss as well.

PREDICTION: The Undertaker to win.

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The Hell In A Cell PPV has gotten a quite negative reputation from me since it was first held in 2009. With very few matches or whole cards delivering on any anticipated premonitions. This year however, just like last year was, it could be something worth the time. The matches all have their own elements of intrigue and if done right, could get many excited for Survivor Series. If anything, this event needs to do that, because if this event tanks and crumbles under the weight of the sterile, negative RAW product... then what hope does Survivor Series have to regain our interests in the product? We'll have to wait and see.

I've been Freddy Thomas, you've been people reading. This has been the Hell In A Cell 2015 Predictions for The CC Network Blog, and I'll see you next time.