Drew McIntyre versus CM Punk is perfect for a Hell in a Cell match

2024 has been a year of several big matches in WWE. Whether it has been championship matches, or those held during weekly shows, there’s been a lot to rave about from the promotion. The biggest feud to date features Drew McIntyre and CM Punk – an angle that continues after starting by accident at the Royal Rumble. As their on-screen hatred grows, they would be the perfect pair to put in Hell in a Cell at some point this year.

For the most part, everything about McIntyre versus Punk has delivered. There were some complaints about McIntyre winning the Money in the Bank just to fail his cash-in later that night. That moment furthered the angle between the two, and brought Seth Rollins into the fray, which can be included when Rollins comes back from his chronic injuries. Week after week the animosity between Punk and McIntyre continues to grow and the HIAC is the match meant to bring it all to an end.

The best thing about this angle is that it doesn’t involve a championship. There is a chance that it might in the future, but there’s plenty to build around until that point gets here. Keeping a championship out of the equation also gives WWE the opportunity to build others on Monday Night Raw like GUNTHER and Damian Priest.

But back to the Hell in a Cell match. This match is meant to be the blow-off to end all angles. Some of the recent matches include Edge versus Finn Balor, Seth Rollins versus Cody Rhodes, and Edge versus Seth Rollins. All these matches were an important focal point for the promotion during those times, but none of them included a championship. That’s the way it should remain. Keeping championships away from the HIAC, unless justified, gives the fans something else to focus on. WWE frequently struggled to build angles without a championship in tow. Now, creative has focused on angles outside of the title picture and that is where the HIAC should remain. Create a space where characters are developed to a point where fans understand their animosity to a level that neither is focused on winning gold. When they come out of that angle, there are now two new names that could be inserted into title pictures and catch the attention of fans because of their previous story.

Drew McIntyre and CM Punk are in that position today. While they are both huge names in the industry, seeing them stay involved in the WWE main event even though neither is focused on the championship is a positive step for storytelling. But as the angle rounds its next corner, Hell in a Cell should be on the horizon as the perfect way to bring it to an end. For now.