What could unfold at WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 when the stars of SmackDown Live step into the Devil’s playground?
WWE’s annual extravaganza of blood and violence, aptly named WWE Hell in a Cell 2017, will hit us in two weeks. Though the PPV known for some of the bloodiest bouts in history has seriously toned down the intensity in this day and age, it is still one of the most anticipated PPVs of the year. Like last year, we would witness multiple matches in the structure known as the Devil’s playground.
However, last year it often felt like the structure was being used too much. None of the rivalries possessed as much heat and hatred to be settled inside the structure. That is not the case this year though. Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens have been on the path of collision with so much hate between them. The surprisingly bloody attack on Mr. McMahon himself has raised the bar for this feud. For these two to settle their scores inside the Demonic Structure, would be nothing short of fantastic.
In addition, the New Day has challenged the Usos to settle their disputes inside the Cell. Yet again, unlike the last PPV, there definitely seems to be a need for these two teams to step into it. It doesn’t seem forced. Elsewhere on the card, the WWE Title wold be defended by Jinder Mahal against Shinsuke Nakamura in an underwhelming feud thus far. However, to compensate for it, AJ Styles would put his US Title on the line against Baron Corbin and Natalya and Charlotte would look to compose another classic.
More matches are being added on as we get closer and closer to WWE Hell in a Cell 2017. I always love the idea of prediction posts. Though ‘Bold Prediction’ posts are more fun to write, since you can come up with the wildest ideas, I will stick to the basics this time and give out realistic predictions for every match on the card.
Randy Orton vs Rusev for one last time
As we learned from last night, Orton and Rusev are set to collide once more. According to WWE.com, a rubber match has been fixed for the PPV. This will hopefully be the final match of the entire ordeal. Seeing as how stale Orton has gotten in recent times, I would predict for him to be on the losing side. Moreover, Rusev is a future mega star in the making. Ideally, he should have been a super-star already given his talent and move set.
However, the WWE has relied too much on his foreign heel gimmick and have restricted him to mediocre roles and feuds until now. Perhaps, beating Orton once and for all would aid him to break the glass ceiling. Speaking of ‘aiding’, watch out for ‘Aid’en English (couldn’t help not say it) during the match. English has placed himself comfortably in the mid-card scene as a heel. Pairing him up with Rusev this past week was a smart move.
He got more exposure and potentially an opportunity to work some matches with the Viper next week potentially. Orton has done everything he could ever dream of in the WWE. There is only so little left for him to achieve, much like John Cena. It is high time he gave something back to the WWE Universe and put over a younger talent like Rusev. Bonus points if he could do it more convincingly that he did the last time.
Prediction: Rusev wins after getting some assistance from Aiden English.
WWE.com
Bobby Roode vs Dolph Ziggler for the first time
This might be the easiest match to predict on the entire card. Unfortunately for Dolph Ziggler though, that means bad news. Hell in a Cell would be the PPV debut for the Glorious Bobby Roode. Seeing as the PPV is set to get all so glorious by him, I don’t see any version of this in which he loses. That is really bad news for Ziggler though. He has been really putting his heart into these performances lately.
Seeing as a match where he jobs out to Roode is the end-game for all this, I really feel bad. Ziggler is much more talented and he deserves to do so much more on the card. He is a veteran at this point and frankly speaking, one of the best inside the ropes. He should not be tasked with putting over other veteran talents from NXT, be it Roode or Nakamura.
Ziggler has been with the WWE for a long long time. Had he ever made up his mind to go into the indies the way Cody Rhodes did, he would have probably been a much bigger star. It’s high time the company repaid him for his loyalty. However, sadly, that would not be the case at Hell in a Cell as Roode is simply too ‘Glorious’ at the moment. At the very least though, have Ziggler pull one over Roode by mimicking his entrance this time.
Prediction: Bobby Roode defeats Dolph Ziggler.
Natalya(c) vs Charlotte for the Women’s Title
In an ideal scenario, Natalya deserves to be the champion for a lot longer. As such, I would expect the same to happen. Not only would it server the women’s division better in the long run, it would be a testament to all that she has endured over the years with the WWE. Her championship reign should have come much earlier than this. However, now that it is here, let it be a long and dominating run.
Moreover, with Charlotte, there have been plans of a program with Ronda Rousey in the works. If creative indeed pulls the trigger on that or extends the feud as a fight between the four Horsewomen of the WWE vs those of the UFC, Charlotte would need to be at the very forefront of that battle. As such, she needs to stay away from the title picture for the time being. A one-off match against Natalya shouldn’t get in the way of that.
Another factor to watch out for, going into this match would be Carmella. The first and second ever Women’s Money in the Bank contract holder could strike at any time. Could she pull one more trick out of the blue and be the Women’s champion by the time the night ends? Possibly no. Carmella could benefit from holding on to the title. However, she could perhaps cost Flair the title unintentionally. From there, creative can move Flair towards the high-profile bout and Natalya could move towards her next foe.
Prediction: Natalya retains the title by defeating Charlotte.
WWE.com
AJ Styles vs Baron Corbin for the United States Title
2017 has shown Baron Corbin his highs and lows. The Lone Wolf would first win his first ever Money in the Bank briefcase to reach his greatest achievement so far on the main roster. However, he would fail to capture the WWE title in a rather underwhelming and embarrassing manner. Frankly speaking, this hasn’t been a great year for Corbin.
However, all that could change if he defeats AJ Styles at Hell in a Cell. Corbin might be closer to winning his first title in the WWE than ever before. Styles has spent a considerable amount in the mid-card making it the real main-event destination by putting on stellar performances throughout. Now would be a good time to bring him back to the main event scene and on the hunt for the WWE title.
This is especially essential since Nakamura vs. Mahal has been disappointing thus far. The match between Corbin and Styles has been advertised as a singles bout. But something tells me we will see Tye Dillinger in the mix as well. The Perfect Ten has been mixing it up with Corbin a lot and it would be a shame to see him not in the title hunt. Moreover, it would give creative a way to have the title on Corbin while also protecting Styles. Do not be surprised if Tye takes the pin at Hell in a Cell.
Prediction: Baron Corbin wins the United States Title
WWE.com
The New Day vs. The Usos for the Tag Team Titles inside Hell in a Cell
In what could potentially be the first of the two Hell in a Cell matches of the night, the Usos would challenge the New Day for the tag titles. The two teams will step into the structure referred to as the Devil’s Playground. Considering the excellent chemistry between these two teams shown so far, this would be a great match on the card.
Throw in the viciousness and the violence that could come with the structure and this match might steal the show. The Usos have been on fire ever since their heel turn. They have sort of compensated for the lack of quality heels on the Blue Brand. However, this might be their last shot at the title for now. Seeing as the teams have now had a back and forth battle for the title, it is time to end the rivalry.
There needs to be closure and for that the New Day needs to retain. The Usos could go back to fighting for number one contender spot perhaps. In the mean time, perhaps another heel team could try and take the title away from the New Day. That could come by way of the Hype Bros turning heel or Harper and Rowan reuniting. It could also be possible we see the rise of Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin following Hell in a Cell. However, the case for New Day retaining the titles is pretty strong.
Prediction: New Day retains the title by defeating the Usos.
Jinder Mahal(c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Title
Credit goes to Mahal for making the fans want to see him drop the title. Yes, the promos have been horrible. Yes, the matches have been slow and boring. However, on the contrary, that is what a good heel is supposed to do. In the age of cool heels that the internet fans praise and adore, Mahal makes the case of an old-school heel whom the fans want to lose. As such, he has made it easier for Nakamura to get over with the main roster despite creative botching up his first few months on the main roster.
However, the question must be asked. Will Mahal drop the title at Hell in a Cell? He hasn’t had a very lengthy reign. However, there is no plea for his reign being too short either. Creative can pull this match forward either way. There have been reports of an upcoming WWE tour of India in December 2017. Ideally, that would mean Mahal might stay as the Champion until then.
But, here is the catch! The tour is for Raw and there is no reason for Mahal to be there. Hence, the odds of Nakamura defeating the current WWE champion are rather high. Especially since the ‘Singh Brothers costing the title’ scenario has been played out far too often. Mahal has had a memorable run atop the division ever since returning. Now its time for the era of Nakamura.
Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Jinder Mahal and wins the WWE title.
WWE.com
Shane McMahon vs Kevin Owens inside Hell in a Cell
The outcome of this match would determine whether SmackDown Live truly is the Kevin Owens show. I expect this match to be the final one of the night, seeing as they need time to set up this one after New Day vs Usos is over. If this match happens earlier in the night, it would be a grave injustice to the way KO has carried this feud so far. This is the best version of Kevin Owens we have seen in the main roster.
This is the hardest match to predict on the card. We still don’t know if any stakes would be added to the match later on. What if the winner gets control over SmackDown Live? However, the truth is, this match does not need added stakes to make sense. KO and Shane have traveled down a path filled with so much hate for each other that only the Cell could contain them. KO’s shameless attack on Mr. McMahon has been equally effective as well.
For him to do all this and then lose to an ageing part-time wrestler would be a real shame. I expect creative to make smarter choices than that. As such, expect Kevin Owens to get the win at WWE Hell in a Cell 2017. Whether that comes by way of a heel Sami Zayn is something we need to wait and see. I don’t want to go into it since this isn’t the ‘Bold Predictions’ post. However, a win for KO here could easily set up the next chapter of this program – Survivor Series.
Next: Will We See Team Shane vs. Team KO?
If Owens loses at Hell in a Cell, that would be the end of it all. All that build up and drama would have been for nothing. Owens has much to gain by defeating Shane cleanly in the middle of the ring, inside the Demonic Structure.
Prediction: Kevin Owens defeats Shane McMahon at the end of a bloody fight.