Welcome to the Hell in a Cell Review for October 8, 2017. For all WWE pay-per-views, I will go over every match, share the highlights and quotes, and look ahead to the next show.
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin vs The Hype Bros. (Gable and Benjamin win by pin fall)
This match seemed to have no, pardon the pun, hype to it. The big question was what was going to happen to the Hype Bros after they lost. What occurred was a very competitive and fast paced match. A few near falls had the small crowd cheering and yelling. With Zack Ryder taking the pin fall, one suspects that Mojo Rawley will turn on his partner. The breakup could lead to a new level for Rawley, who has shown glimpses of some great talent.
Highlights: Ryder jumps from the top rope for a drop kick.
Benjamin and Ryder exchange reversals and near falls
Grade: 8 out of 10
Smackdown Tag Team Champions The New Day vs The Usos (Hell in the Cell) (Usos win by pin fall to become New Tag Team Champions)
Brutal. Barbaric. High Spots. Weapons. The New Day and the Usos started off this show with an instant classic. There were no high falls, just two teams willing to go to that special place that only champions reside. The Usos were their vicious self and the New Day found aggression. The only question is this: If this was supposed to be the end of this rivalry, will the New Day not get a rematch?
Highlights: Weapons are brought out immediately
Two trombones, a cowbell, and a gong are used by Woods.
Usos fly out of the ring onto Big E and Woods
At lest 17 kendo sticks.
Woods and Big E use four kendo sticks to trap Jay on the cell.
THE WHOLE DAMN MATCH.
Quotes: “”This is awesome!” WWE Universe
Grade 10 out of 10
Randy Orton vs. Rusev (Orton wins by pinfall)
This was the match they should have had at Summerslam. Given the proper time, Randy Orton and Rusev had a great back and forth match. Rusev looked stronger then he has in months, and his constant yelling of “Happy Rusev Day!” made me laugh ever time. Orton was hit hard in the match, but the deadly RKO was always ready. A very good showing having to follow the Tag Team match.
Highlights: Orton picks up Rusev with one arm and slams him into the barracade
Rusev has the hardest looking kick in the business right now.
Rusev grabs Orton’s hands to put in the Acolyte, but Orton counters with the RKO
Quotes: “Happy Rusev Day!” Rusev
Grade 8 out of 10
US Champion AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin vs Ty Dillinger (Corbin wins by pin fall to become US Champion)
TY Dillinger convinced Danial Bryan to put him into this match during the preshow. This was the strongest showing from Dillinger and Baron Corbin yet. AJ Styles was his usual phenomenal self. This was a fantastic match, where all three men were flying high. Dillinger was fast paced, Styles was phenomenal, and Corbin hit things I never thought he could. With his victory, Corbin must deal with Styles one more timer in a match I am very eager to see
Highlights: Corbin throws Styles across the ring
All three men take turns hitting each in the corners
Styles does a 360 off the top rope.
Dillinger hits loud knife edge chops
Corbin throws Styles into the ring barrier so hard it moves.
Quotes: “Let’s go briefcase!” WWE Universe to Corbin
“He’s right here.” Corbin after throwing Styles to the floor
Grade: 10 out of 10
Smackdown Women’s Champion Natalya vs. Charlotte (Charlotte wins by DQ, Natalya retains)
There is one problem for wrestlers such as Natalya and Charlotte. Submission wrestlers have to work a slow match, focusing on the body part that will make their opponent submit. These two women were selling the story of Charlotte having a hurt right knee. The match ending with Natalya using a chair to get DQ raises the stakes for the rematch. As last year’s Hell in the Cell proved, women can get bloody and nasty if given the chance.
Highlights: Charlotte styles and profiles
Natalya takes a nasty hit in the corner
Charlotte moonsaults from the top rope onto the floor
Quotes: “This is awesome” WWE Universe
Grade 8 out of 10
WWE Champion Jinder Mahl vs Shinsuke Nakamura (Mahl wins by pin fall)
This match was better then their Summerslam contest, but not by much. Watching it, I think I hit on the problem. Jinder Mahl has a power style, while Shinsuke Nakamura is much faster. Sometimes, differing styles can mesh, but I don’t think this is the case here. Nakamura needs an opponent who is fast, while Mahl needs a monster to trade blows with. With Mahl retaining, he can now look for a challenger who can make him the Champion he is.
Highlights: Nakamura takes out the Sing Brother before they can interfere
Mahl throws Nakamura over the ring barrier.
A referee FINALLY tosses the Sing Brothers
Grade 7 out of 10
Fashion Files
The case was solved! Well, it was off camera and Tyler Breeze and Fandango are looking to start over. A very funny return to one of Smackdown’s best bits. The poster board was hilarious, The Ascension had a funny cameo, and the next case is upon us. What is in the briefcase that shown with a golden light? We will find out this week as Fashion Files becomes Fashion Fiction
Highlights: Among the jokes of the board, a picture of Cesaro with his damaged teeth with the caption “Tooth Fairy 3”
Breeze and Fandango flashback to how they solved their case, with wavy lines and music. We never see it however.
The Ascension have probably the worst disguises in history
Grade 10 out of 10
Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler (Roode wins by pin fall)
This was a match that had a chance to steal the show. It didn’t reach that level, but some interesting developments did occur. Dolph Ziggler is now a sore loser, who attacked Bobby Roode after the match. Roode, for his part, cheated by grabbing Ziggler’s tights. This storyline feels like it is just getting started and given the prroper time, can produce that classic.
Highlights: Ziggler comes out to no music or video
Roode spins on Ziggler.
Ziggler hits an amazing DDT.
Grade 8 out of 10
Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens (Hell in the Cell, Falls Count Anywhere) (Owens wins by pin fall)
It was never going to end in the cell. Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens started fighting before their introductions were over. Pure hatred seemed to ooze out of them. Some hard hitting spots in the cell before the action went outside. It was a feeling of nervousness as Shane and Owens battled on top of the cell. After both men had gone through tables, it was Sami Zayn who had the final say, pulling Owens on top of McMahon. Zayn turning heel will be the biggest talking point, but the match was ever bit as brutal as we thought it would be.
Highlights: Shane misses a shooting star press
Owens cannonballs right through a table
Coast to Coast by Shane
Shane uses bolt cutter to cut the lock of the cell door
Owens hesitates on top of the cell, tapping out to jumping on Shane
Zayn pulling Owens off the table seconds before Shane lands
Grade 10 out of 10
Final Thoughts: It started and ended hot. The action seemed to slow down for the Women’s Championship match, and only picked back up for Owens and Shane. There were at lest three great matches and some new stories to explore on Tuesday. Zayn will have to explain why he helped Owens (my prediction is that he felt this was the only way to bring Owens back to his senses). Tune in to see what happens.
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