What were the five best moments from WWE Hell in a Cell 2017? Here are our top picks.
WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 went past us in a flash last night. The PPV lived up to its name in the signature matches. The two matches inside the Devil’s playground were absolutely brutal. Moreover, they made any real wrestling fan to be concerned for the health of the performers involved. Such brutal spots ensued inside the punishing structure that I cringed through a lot of it.
Apart from the spot-fest inside the cell, the other matches on the card lived up too. Most of them to say that is. While the WWE title match between Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura would not make any ‘N Best moments’ list, it was still watchable. There was nothing inherently wrong with the match. However, the pacing, the repetitive nature and the eventual outcome all made it a lousy affair.
Moreover, the match between Randy Orton and Rusev was yet another letdown. Perhaps, it is high time Orton passed the torch. While Rusev is not the future face of the WWE, there is no reason for him to lose yet again. The fact that Aiden English was conspicuously absent from the action made no sense either.
However, apart for these two matches, most of the other matches played out rather well indeed. The wrestlers were given ample time to tell a story inside the ring and it helped. However, the biggest moment from the night would be Sami Zayn’s half heel turn. What does the Underdog from the Underground has to say about his actions? We will find out later this week hopefully. Until then, let us keep checking this list of best moments from Hell in a Cell.
Source: WWE.com
5. Tye Dillinger in the Untied States Title match
Though it was clear from the moment Dillinger was included in the match that he would take the pin, it was still fun to see the Perfect Ten get an opportunity. The massively popular babyface never got a moment to shine on his own until now. Boy did he make the most of this opportunity. The Perfect Ten went toe-to-toe against both Corbin and Styles. Moreover, he made sure he was not the under-performer in the match, if there were any to begin with.
Dillinger’s inclusion in the match was a welcome surprise. I was concerned for him after last week’s SmackDown Live ended with no update on his being in the match. However, it would all come through during the pre-show. The match itself was wildly entertaining as well. There has been a recent trend of triple threat matches becoming largely one-on-one affair.
The true psychology of a triple threat match is when two of the competitors work together forming a temporary alliance. That was at full display in this match. Dillinger and Styles meshed together well against Baron Corbin. Not only did Dillinger look good in the process, it also made Corbin look like a million bucks.
Smackdown. Photo by WWE.com
4. Natalya’s vicious title defense
Natalya is such an underrated performer. Though the Queen of Hearts is immensely respected by the fans, she did not have the respect of the creative team it seems. For many years, she was an afterthought in the division. Despite all her athleticism and wrestling skills, Natalya was never booked as the champion she was capable of. However, that would not be the case at Hell in a Cell though.
I don’t know if Charlotte instantly brings out the best in Nattie or not. But these two seem to be incapable of having a bad match. This may not have been their best match from an in-ring point of view. However, from the point of crafting a story in the ring, the two of them did an excellent job. Natalya retaining her title was surely the cherry on top.
Everything from Charlotte’s injury to Natalya’s viciousness worked out all too well. One might have different opinions about the way the match ended. The DQ finish was certainly a not so great way to end the match. However, the spot managed to highlight how much of a heel Natalya is and how far she would go to defend her title. More importantly, it sets the stage for another match between these two hopefully.
WWE.com
3. Baron Corbin wins the United States Title
For the past few months it seemed as though the company might have given up on Corbin. First, he would fail miserably to cash-in the Money in the Bank contract. Then, the Lone Wolf would lose cleanly to Cena without even a shot at redeeming himself. However, whatever curse has been plaguing him for the past few months seems to have ridden itself of him now.
Corbin would claim the first singles title of his WWE career last night. To say he defeated AJ Styles and Tye Dillinger to win it speaks volumes. Understandably, Corbin deserved to win the title last match. He has improved tremendously ever since his debut. To think he is a fresh wrestler straight from NXT is a tribute to his testament. Corbin has evolved to be a fine heel on Tuesday nights. Giving him a run with a prestigious mid-card title like the US title is so much better than letting him be the WWE champion out of the blue.
He can now perhaps feud with Tye Dillinger over the title in the coming weeks. The Perfect Ten will surely bring out the best in the Lone Wolf. Moreover, with the US title now in Corbin’s capable hands, AJ Styles can perhaps look forward to claiming something he actually deserves; the WWE title. Will Styles finally be the one to dethrone Jinder Mahal?
WWE.com
2. Hell in a Cell matches that lived up to its name
It’s not so often in the WWE that Hell in a Cell matches live up to the level of violence and brutality associated with its history and origins. But boy did WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 live up to its name. There was an abundance of spots, weapons and death-defying high risk manures throughout the two matches inside the structure. While the Usos vs. New Day stole the show yet again, due credit has to be given to Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens.
Despite being a 49-year-old part timer, Shane is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in Hell in a Cell matches. The spots were they traded blows and slams at the top of the structure had me skipping heart beats and biting nails. It’s been a while since a Hell in a Cell match actually lived up to its hype.
However, I would have to come back to the Usos vs. New Day match. It was so beautifully put together that I would equate it to poetry. A violent display of heart and talent made up for another show-stealing outing from these two teams. There were plenty of innovative spots and the wrestlers proved yet again that you don’t need blood to showcase animosity. We should consider ourselves lucky for having had the opportunity to witness two such matches on the same night.
Source: WWE.com
1. Sami Zayn’s involvement in the main event
Though many had predicted this could happen at Sunday, it was still a huge surprise. After all, Sami Zayn is the greatest babyface in the WWE. To think he would aid the most hated heel in the WWE, even in the spur of the moment, could split the audience in two. Was this part of Owens’s plan all along? Or did Sami made the decision all on his own?
Whatever the case may be, this week’s SmackDown Live would be nothing short of red-hot. Creative now has a multitude of options at their disposal. They can either go with a full-on heel turn for Sami. Or they could play it up as a one-off with Sami actually regretting his actions. Whatever the case may be, it makes from some must-see television. Bleacher Report perfectly captured the emotional aspect of this storyline.
"What makes this new twist more three-dimensional is that Zayn was noble even in becoming a villain. He saved his childhood friend from serious injury despite Owens’ tireless antagonization of him. He decided to be the bigger man as part of him becoming a bad guy. This only adds more depth to his character."
Next: WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 Results, Analysis and Grades
That is the kind of storytelling that the WWE has lacked for the most part of recent times. Sami would be on a journey to find who he is from now on. Will he align himself with Owens after being mistreated by the management for many years? Or would he remain as the ultimate babyface? The coming weeks should have some interesting answers for us.