WWE Hell In A Cell 2018 Match Card And Predictions

It’s that time of year again where we get multiple Hell in a Cell matches to fulfil the name of a pay-per-view and not because a feud warrants it. Questionable uses of the eponymous structure aside, the card for this year’s show is solid, even if there are a fair few SummerSlam rematches. So, let’s get into it: these are our predictions for Hell in a Cell 2018.

 

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match

The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E and/or Xavier Woods) (C) Vs. Rusev Day (Rusev & Aiden English)

Rusev Day pulling off the win over The Bar on SmackDown this week was such a satisfying feelgood moment. Aiden sacrificing himself to a Brogue Kick so that Rusev could score the win was a beautiful sight. The apparent trouble in paradise (pun intended) in the Rusev Day camp has subsided, and they’re now set to challenge New Day for the straps.

Prediction: This might be bold when you consider how recently New Day won the belts, but I’m backing Rusev Day here. New Day’s title win was one of necessity due to one half of the Bludgeon Brothers getting hurt, so who’s to say the plan was ever for them to be champs at this point? It’s shaky reasoning, but it seems like a logical step in the Rusev Day story.

 

Hell in a Cell Match

Jeff Hardy Vs. Randy Orton

Remember when I said we can get cell matches that aren’t warranted with this PPV? This match is the epitome of that. What started out as a hot feud has petered off into Randy and Jeff spinning their wheels with each other and cutting repetitive promos. What’s more, we all know that Jeff Hardy is still dealing with nagging injuries, so throwing him in a match where he’ll probably jump off something as high as the cell is a terrifying prospect.

Prediction: I’ve got Randy Orton for this one. Jeff has been getting the upper hand on Randy a lot in the build-up, and he’s no doubt going to do an insane spot of some description. Following on from Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens from last year, I’m going with the logic that the babyface who takes the massive bump takes a heavily protected loss.

 

Raw Tag Team Championship Match

Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler (C) Vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose

I didn’t realise until writing these predictions that this is a tag match heavy card, with three in total. Drew and Dolph took the belts off The B-Team on Raw a couple of weeks back, and it’s refreshing to see the tag titles on a team that truly feels legit. No offence to Bo and Axel, but their entire gimmick was that they became and remained champions through dumb luck. Dean and Seth managed to strongarm Baron Corbin into giving them a title match, so now the Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler ft. Drew McIntyre and Dean Ambrose feud continues.

Prediction: Drew and Dolph to retain. Not really much to say here other than them being a pairing that have been protected a lot. To see tag title reigns that only recently began on both brands ending is unlikely (assuming Rusev Day win), and Seth Rollins already has a belt. Sure, they could just continue The Shield’s dominance by having them hold literally every title available to them on Raw, but that would be pushing it, don’t you think?

 

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match

Charlotte Flair (C) Vs. Becky Lynch

And here’s our first match on the card that should probably be in the cell but isn’t. Becky Lynch’s frustration with being beaten to the punch by Charlotte has brought out a vicious side that has been wickedly entertaining. While Charlotte is technically still the babyface, almost everyone’s backing Becky here. Either way, I have no doubt that this will be a great match.

Prediction: I know people are desperate for Becky to win, but I think Charlotte retains here. This definitely won’t spell the end of their feud (rematch at Evolution, anyone?), nor should it. Becky’s descent into hate-fuelled madness has been the reboot her character needed, and these two women of course have undeniable chemistry.

 

Mixed Tag Team Match

Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella Vs. The Miz & Maryse

The saga of Daniel Bryan and The Miz continues, only now it’s in tag team form. I love everything about this match. There’s intrigue, star power, and it allows WWE to hold off on diminishing returns with Bryan/Miz singles contests.

Prediction: While Miz won at SummerSlam, I don’t think Bryan and Brie are tying things up here. They’ve been beating on Miz and Maryse far too much on SmackDown to follow through with a win here, the “It Couple” need to get some heat back. I think there’s a wider story at play here, one that sees Miz break Daniel Bryan down through constantly prevailing in matches. Maybe we get interference from Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega, maybe we don’t. Regardless, my pick is Miz and Maryse.

 

WWE Championship Match

AJ Styles (C) Vs. Samoa Joe

Of every match booked for Sunday, this is absolutely the one that needs the cell. The intensity of this feud, from Joe’s heinous attacks on AJ and his family, to AJ’s newfound aggression, this has been a joy to watch. It’s the hottest feud in all of WWE right now, and the first match at SummerSlam was probably the best WWE Title match of AJ’s current, record-breaking reign.

Prediction: I would love a Samoa Joe victory here, but AJ is now the longest-reigning WWE Champion since CM Punk, and I think he has more distance to go still. Vince McMahon very much sees Styles as the crown jewel of SmackDown Live right now, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he continued to hold the title through to WrestleMania (which would see him break Punk’s hallowed 434-day reign). My pick is AJ Styles.

 

Raw Women’s Championship Match

Ronda Rousey (C) Vs. Alexa Bliss

Ronda Rousey decimated Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam, as she should have. Ronda’s defeat of Bliss would have only ever made since as a total annihilation, though the rematch likely won’t be the same story. Much attention has been placed on Alexa’s wiliness on Raw, and how she’s looking to outthink Ronda to reclaim her belt. With the potential involvement of both Alicia Fox and Natalya, it’s going to be interesting to see how this one plays out.

Prediction: Alexa’s cunning aside, Ronda Rousey isn’t losing in her first title defence. At the earliest, we’re not going to see Ronda’s first loss in WWE until next year’s WrestleMania (most likely against Charlotte Flair). Where does Alexa go after this? It’s anyone’s guess, but she’s not walking away champion.

 

Hell in a Cell Match for the Universal Championship

Roman Reigns (c) Vs. Braun Strowman (W/ Special Guest Referee Mick Foley)

Unlike Hardy vs. Orton, this match totally deserves to be inside the cell. Braun and Roman have been feuding on-and-off since Braun cost Roman the Universal Championship against Kevin Owens at the 2017 Royal Rumble. This is also technically a Money in the Bank cash-in match, making Braun Strowman only the third person in history to cash in the briefcase ahead of time (along with Rob Van Dam and John Cena). I fully expect both men to beat the living shit out of each other, as their chemistry has always been strong.

Prediction: Braun Strowman being turned heel for this match is frustrating, though it could arguably be a sign of him walking away victorious. However, I don’t see it. To have the three-year build of Roman beating Brock Lesnar be thrown away just a month after Reigns captured the gold would be pretty dumb. I see no other outcome than a Roman Reigns title retention here. As far as Mick Foley’s involvement goes, I think that’s just a nice bit of window dressing to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his legendary encounter with The Undertaker.