Overall, Hell in a Cell was an entertaining show as SmackDown Live continues to prove that it is just as strong as its red counterpart, despite its supposed lack of star power. But like any show, nothing is perfect and Hell in a Cell certainly had plenty of flaws, but what were the five main negatives from the show?
5. Lacklustre Championship Match
The Jinder Mahal experiment is one that simply isn’t working. We all know why WWE is pushing it, trying to gain a bigger audience in India but from a viewership point of view it is creating poor storytelling and even poorer matches and ultimately, wrestling is about just that; the wrestling matches.
When it comes to PPV’s fans should be excited for a WWE Championship match, nine times out of ten it will feature the two top guys on the show and they will put on a classic. However, not a single one of Mahal’s matches have delivered in that retrospect and this was another prime example, with the slow pace and lack of fan interest. Something needs to change and soon.
4. How Do You Solve A Problem Like Rusev?
The man who once rode a tank into WrestleMania and was being considered the next big thing in WWE is now somehow someone you simply can’t take as a serious threat. It is sad to see just how far Rusev has fallen as he really does have all the tools needed to be a big star in the company but it appears the higher-ups simply don’t see that.
Once again he was dispatched by Randy Orton in what was a fairly solid match, but it leaves the question of, what do you do next with Rusev? How can this man rebuild and where does he go next when all the titles are held by heels it seems he is stuck with no signs of improvement any time soon. Perhaps a draft to Raw is exactly what he needs.
3. Not A Glorious Debut
Bobby Roode being on the main roster is something fans have been waiting a long time for and now it has happened it is clear to see from his performances and the response why people believe he is a future World Champion. However, his match with Dolph Ziggler left a lot to be desired in my opinion, with a slow pace the match itself was one of the weakest on the show and the finish was confusing.
Roode, who is now working as a baby face (something that doesn’t suit him as well as being a heel) won the match with a roll-up, pulling the tights, a heel move. It is a confusing way to debut this new character that not everyone in the audience is aware of fully, as not everybody watches NXT. It is crucial WWE now give him a decisive victory over Ziggler in the near future to allow Roode to standout as the strong star that he is.
2. A Classic Stalls
Charlotte and Natalya have proven time and time again that they are capable of putting on brilliant matches both in NXT and on the main roster and it seemed like they were on their way to creating another at Hell in a Cell until it ended abruptly. Natalya used a chair to create a DQ finish, bringing an end to the match that was telling a brilliant story.
Working at a slower pace to other matches on the show, the women were focusing on individual body parts with Charlotte doing an incredible job of selling her leg injury and it was something fans were getting behind which made it even more frustrating when it drew to a close. Whilst it makes sense why they have done it, keeping the belt on Nattie a little longer whilst keeping Charlotte as a legitimate threat, the finish just left a bad taste in your mouth.
1. Shinsuke Nakamura Running Out Of Momentum
Jinder Mahal once again retained his WWE Championship in another underwhelming title match that had the live crowd seemingly sat on their hands throughout. Nakamura was defeated cleanly in the middle of the ring by the reigning champion and it is clear he isn’t clicking with the WWE Universe the way he did with Full Sail’s intimate crowd.
Whether it’s the fact he is yet to be put in an entertaining feud or that he hasn’t fully shown his strong style that makes him so unique there is a problem brewing that WWE must address soon before they lose the star that they have in their hands.
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