Ahead of Sunday’s WWE Hell in the Cell show on the WWE Network, here are some predictions on the outcome of the evening’s matches.
Brock Lesnar to defeat Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match
What has been billed as the final match in their feud, and Lesnar has to be the man standing tall come the end.
He was protected, reasonably, by losing to nefarious tactics from the Deadman in their match at SummerSlam in August, but if this is the end of their rivalry it is Lesnar who needs the win more, and should get it.
He is the most exciting talent the WWE have right now in terms of when he appears it is a big deal, and cheapening his character by having him lose to a man, who while a legend of the industry, is not smart booking.
Undertaker can handle the loss in a competitive match, and both men should be able to move on to bigger things and towards WrestleMania 32 from here, but with Lesnar as the victor.
Seth Rollins to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane
It is hard to think, other than Chris Jericho in 2002 or Rey Mysterio Jr in 2006, of a more badly booked WWE title reign than what Seth Rollins is going through right now.
In the past month he was beaten twice on TV by John Cena, making the viewer wonder quite why Cena is content with the United States title when he clearly has the measure of Rollins, while he has come off worst in almost every exchange with Kane.
Kane has been tremendously entertaining as a character in this storyline, but you do have to question the logic of making a veteran make one of the organisation’s biggest breakout stars look so ordinary.
Rollins will retain on Sunday, the WWE trying to do their best to create doubt in the most predictable of results, but this needs to be a dominant win for the world champion to try to regain some credibility.
New Day to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boys
I can see a scenario where the Dudleys win their 10th WWE tag team title, but it should not happen yet with New Day comfortably the most compelling act appearing regularly on WWE TV.
The trio of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have been sensational in the ring, and losing the titles, while not devastating if booked right, would hurt their momentum.
I think the Dudleys will be the team to take the belts off them, but I do not seeing it happening for at least another month or so.
John Cena to lose the United States Championship
There are two intriguing elements to this. It has been well publicised that Cena is taking time off after Sunday so it is unlikely, you would think, that Cena would walk off with the belt.
Plus, we do not know who he is going to be facing. This all adds up to mystery.
Cena is too good a professional not to do what is best for business, and losing to set up a rematch with his conqueror in December/January makes sense.
As this is complete guess work, I will only say who I want it to be, and that is a member of New Day. I think whoever it is, Big E would be my pick, wins the belt from Cena, it does not have to be in a clean fashion, and then they give him a further beating post-match.
It would give New Day even more credibility and allow them to run their mouths off on how they took out the 15-time world champion, before Cena returns to get his vengeance at a later date.
Given how WWE are booking things these days it will probably be Big Show, but they have a chance to make some stars here and do something different.
Roman Reigns to beat Bray Wyatt in a Hell in a Cell match
A rivalry that started back in June should culminate here, although I would not be surprised if they extended this to Survivor Series next month and had a 5x5 match or something like that.
Wyatt has gained some needed traction from this storyline, but it has largely been about trying to re-establishing Reigns as a top face in the company after the negative reactions to him from some fans earlier in the year.
Both men have great potential, with Wyatt possibly the man with the most breakout potential on the roster, but it is clear the WWE have very big hopes for Reigns and a high profile win over Wyatt in a Hell in a Cell environment is the scenario most likely on Sunday.
Kevin Owens to retain the Intercontinental title against Ryback
Owens won the belt from Ryback at Night of Champions last month, and he has been great value as champion, having good matches and continuing to antagonise the previous title holder at every opportunity. This is Ryback’s rematch chance but I expect him to come up short here as Owens should get a long reign as champion and it should not be cut short here.
Charlotte to retain the Divas title against Nikki Bella
Charlotte has largely been an afterthought in the women’s division since winning the title, with the frustrations of Paige hogging the limelight.
I think Charlotte will retain here but expect interference, probably from Paige, who may not be on the same page as Charlotte, but will not want Nikki to retain her crown either.
This heading towards a triple threat or multi-diva match at Survivor Series so the status quo should be maintained here.
Dolph Ziggler, Neville and Cesaro to beat Sheamus, Rusev and King Barrett
The most important thing to say here about this kick-off show match is that all six men should be used much better than this and deserve more.
I expect the faces to stand tall here, and for either Ziggler or Cesaro to get the pin on Rusev.
WWE’s Hell in a Cell event will be televised on the WWE Network, which is available through OSN, on Monday morning in the UAE from 3am.
gcaygill@thenational.ae