It’s been just over two months since WrestleMania 38 and as we head into Hell in a Cell on Sunday, a long-drawn-out feud that began at 'Mania is set to conclude.
Six matches are scheduled for Sunday’s premium live event (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, Sportsnet NOW), including the aforementioned Cell match between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
Let’s a take a look at each of the matches on the card and we think they’ll play out.
Hell in a Cell match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
The return of Rhodes to WWE contributed an almost unmatched electricity to WrestleMania 38 in April. While heavily speculated, Rhodes’ appearance wasn’t guaranteed. However once his music hit, fans in attendance and at home were hit with a true WrestleMania moment, with Rhodes returning to WWE after a six-year absence.
His match against Rollins was very strong (Sportsnet rated it 3.75/5 stars), however the content of the actual match has largely been forgotten due to the fact that there was so much pomp and circumstance surrounding Rhodes’ return. Now, though, the shine of Rhodes' return has worn off a tad, meaning his in-ring acumen will be scrutinized more heavily.
“I thought I was the best wrestler in the world when I showed up at WrestleMania,” Rhodes recently told Sportsnet. “I think I’m 30 per cent better today than I was (at) WrestleMania just from the fact that I’ve been able to get in there every night, feel it, what’s this crowd like, what do they like, oh this is fun.”
There are several new matches and rivalries awaiting Rhodes once his program is finished with Rollins. And a match inside Hell in a Cell should definitively mark the end of this rivalry. Rhodes owns a pair of victories over Rollins, but it’s no guarantee that he will go a perfect 3-0. Expect a match that involves Rollins picking a victory either by way of nefarious means or outside interference, sparking a new rivalry for Rhodes in the process.
Match Prediction: Seth Rollins wins
Raw Women’s Championship match: Bianca Belair (C) vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch
The participants in this match are three of the most popular and best wrestlers within WWE.
Belair continues to espouse features that confirm her mark as one of the top wrestlers within WWE, not only today, but well into the future.
Lynch’s popularity spans not just WWE but all of professional wrestling. Asuka, meanwhile, continues to hold intrigue on account of her tireless efforts within the ring, aided by a long and accomplished career.
Pitting these three against each other on a big stage will benefit all of pro wrestling. Belair and Lynch had an absolute barn-burner against each other at ‘Mania (Sportsnet rated the match 4.5/5 stars) and adding Asuka should only serve to elevate the upcoming match.
Something needs to give for either Becky or Asuka in regards to a shift in attitude, with the latter benefitting from a nudge over to a more villainous role. A return to her character last seen in NXT when she was an undefeated champion would be a welcome sight for many.
Having said all that, Belair’s reign as champion isn’t over yet. She’s too good and too popular.
Match Prediction: Bianca Belair wins
2-on-1 handicap match: Bobby Lashley vs. Omos and MVP
After their WrestleMania encounter, it didn’t feel like there was much more to a matchup between Lashley and Omos. However, WWE has continued to push this rivalry out on television week after week, and it looks to be culminating on Sunday.
Adding MVP to Omos has been beneficial to the rather green sports entertainer, with Omos essentially still learning on the job. MVP gives Omos an outstanding mouthpiece, and now the veteran wrestler can provide on-the-job learning while they wrestle side-by-side against Lashley.
Lashley looked very strong in his win over Omos at WrestleMania (Sportsnet rated the match 2.5/5 stars), displaying some otherworldly strength and agility, and has continued to showcase some amazing feats of athleticism en route to Hell in a Cell.
Another win over Omos would benefit Lashley by way of providing cause to a WWE Championship campaign, should there be an opportunity for one in the near future against Roman Reigns.
Match Prediction: Bobby Lashley wins
Kevin Owens vs Ezekiel
The leadup to this match has been wildly entertaining and we have Kevin Owens to thank for that. Owens came out of a major program against Stone Cold Steve Austin, one of the most popular wrestlers of all-time, at WrestleMania, and dove head first into this rivalry with Elias … er — Ezekiel.
Owens has been spectacular in selling the sheer lunacy of this storyline, continuously noting what everyone already knows, which is that Ezekiel is indeed Elias. However Owens plays into it so well that the audience watching is happy to play against him and, instead, go along with the joke. Owens is a fantastic patsy for all WWE fans to take advantage of.
If Owens were to win this match and shift his character to that more resembling a babyface, it would be a home run for WWE. Owens is spectacular, and constantly deserves top billing on whatever card he is featured on. Having said all that, a defeat would only catapult this version of Owens further into insanity, which would be a win for all wrestling fans.
Match Prediction: Ezekiel wins
U.S. Championship match: Theory vs Mustafi Ali
This match has a chance to be a show stealer if the wrestlers are provided a good amount of time and opportunity to make it happen.
Austin Theory … ah sorry, Theory has proven to be a solid in-ring talent in his early-goings as a member of the WWE roster. He has been paired alongside Vince McMahon on screen as a “chosen one” of sorts, homage to a previous storyline from over 10 years ago when McMahon tabbed Drew McIntyre as a “chosen one.” Despite the similarities in how Theory and McIntyre were labelled, the former has noted that his storyline alongside the WWE boss has been different.
“I do think there’s different initiatives with each storyline,” Theory recently told Sportsnet. “I do feel like the stuff that I’m doing with Mr. McMahon is a little more hands on, there’s a little more Mr. McMahon on it. I felt like with Drew, and I think he would agree with this, Mr. McMahon wasn’t as involved in the actual storyline.”
Ali, meanwhile, made plenty of headlines outside the ring recently with his public request for a release from WWE. Whether it was threatened legal action against Ali, or a perhaps just a change of heart, Ali has returned to the ring in a big spot against Theory and by way of association, Mr. McMahon as well.
“Anybody that’s involved, meaning the Superstar, it just changes everything,” Theory noted. “If you put Theory and Mr. McMahon in with a Brock Lesnar, or you put us in something with, like right now, Mustafi Ali, it’s just something different, but it’s also very unique.”
Theory is a rising star and it’s tough to predict if he elevates the U.S. Championship more than it elevates him right now. However it should be noted that Ali would be able to consistently exhibit main event-calibre matches week after week on television.
Match Prediction: Mustafi Ali wins
Edge, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. AJ Styles, Finn Balor & Liv Morgan
Edge has assembled quite the formidable stable with the likes of Priest and Ripley on his squad, now. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring for this match are Styles and Balor, who are teaming up and finally, after years of pleading, are giving the WWE Universe what they want in the form of the Bullet Club in WWE. The two former leaders of the Bullet Club in New Japan Pro Wrestling continue to mark themselves as two of the top wresters in WWE, and have added rising star Morgan to compete alongside them in this match.
The bout has a chance to be a lot of fun with the amount of talent involved.
Match Prediction: Edge, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley win
