In one of the more barbaric events of the year, fans were treated to three Hell in a Cell matches. Enough talk as it is time for the Hell in a Cell 2020 report card.
WWE Hell In A Cell 2020 Report Card: Grades Are In!
24/7 Championship: R-Truth vs. Drew Gulak
In what might be a first, the 24/7 Championship was officially booked on the pre-show. As expected, nothing too impressive.
The best part was Drew Gulak and R-Truth interacting with Little Jimmy. Outside of that, R-Truth mimicking John Cena was entertaining.
I never understand the 24/7 Championship matches. Right after the match ends, Gulak could have pinned R-Truth. Grade: C
VINTAGE J̶o̶h̶n̶ ̶C̶e̶n̶a̶ @RonKillings [1]! #HIAC [2] #247Championship [3] pic.twitter.com/ZxjJnRbJMj [4]
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 25, 2020 [5]
Did @DrewGulak [6] just PUNT Little Jimmy?!?! 😱😱😱😱#HIAC [2] #247Title [7] @RonKillings [1] pic.twitter.com/6neNEg7zvT [8]
— WWE (@WWE) October 25, 2020 [9]
United States Championship: Bobby Lashley vs. Slapjack
During Hell in a Cell, they decided to add another match. Then, they upped the stakes by tossing in the Unite States Championship.
It has been an embarrassing run for Retribution. Even The Hurt Business mocked their ridiculous masks.
Slapjack never stood a chance. Even when Retribution had all their members present, they could not topple Bobby Lashley. Grade: C
LOOK AT @SlapJackRTRBTN [10] RIGHT NOW. #HIAC [2] #USTitle [11] #RETRIBUTION [12] pic.twitter.com/Fhkq7SnZnE [13]
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 26, 2020 [14]
It’s a back-and-forth battle between @fightbobby [15] and #RETRIBUTION [12]‘s @SlapJackRTRBTN [10] with the #USTitle [11] on the line at WWE #HIAC [2]! pic.twitter.com/qkuXtKPamy [16]
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2020 [17]
Jeff Hardy vs. Elias
This feud started in the summer [18] and it does not seem be ending soon. The best part might have been Elias’ song.
They hit their typical moves before the guitar came into play. Jeff Hardy winning by disqualification did nothing.
If anything, we still do not know who hit Elias with a car over the summer [19]. Knowing WWE, they might completely drop the angle. Grade: C
We are now entering VINTAGE territory for @JEFFHARDYBRAND [20]. #HIAC [2] pic.twitter.com/7X7axUg5FR [21]
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 26, 2020 [22]
The #CharismaticEnigma [23] brings the fight, but the POWER of @IAmEliasWWE [24] takes center stage at WWE #HIAC [2]!! @JEFFHARDYBRAND [20] pic.twitter.com/HDkfWzeQCk [25]
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2020 [26]
Otis vs. The Miz With For The Money In the Bank Briefcase
About six months ago, Otis did the unimaginable by capturing the Money in the Bank [27] (MITB) briefcase. Now, he has nothing.
I have never seen Otis as a main event wrestler, but The Miz is in a familiar spot. Now, I can see the briefcase successfully being cashed-in.
As for Tucker, he always impressed me and is finally getting the right attention in a shocking heel turn [28]. For only the second time in history has the MITB holder lost the briefcase. Grade: C+
Distraction by @TheRealMorrison [29] …
Execution by @mikethemiz [30]!#HIAC [2] pic.twitter.com/3dDDtwP2zt [31]— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 26, 2020 [32]
POWER BELLY ➡️ POWER UP!#HIAC [2] #MITB [33] @otiswwe [34] @mikethemiz [30] pic.twitter.com/DM2GwlCICS [35]
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2020 [36]
WWE Championship Inside Hell In A Cell: Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
Heading into the main event, the other two Hell in a Cell matches delivered. With this being the third match between Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton since SummerSlam, it felt overdrawn.
Of the all Cell matches, this one did not match the others. The only takeaway was they fought on top of the steel structure.
We got a decent bump on the outside and that was the difference maker. Finally, Orton defeated McIntyre to win his 14th world title. Grade: B+
The CHAMP just took matters into his own hands.#HIAC [2] @DMcIntyreWWE [37] pic.twitter.com/czVbvb8rT5 [38]
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2020 [39]
#TheViper [40] @RandyOrton [41] sends @DMcIntyreWWE [37] plummeting off the side of #HellInACell [42]! 😱#HIAC [2] #WWETitle [43] pic.twitter.com/bhlcdSVmu3 [44]
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2020 [45]
WWE Universal Championship In An I Quit Match Inside Hell In A Cell: Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso
After all these years, WWE found a way to make Hell in a Cell unique with an I Quit Match. Unlike Clash of Champions [46] where they closed the event, this time they opened it.
Talk about an emotional match within family. Not having fans present allowed us to hear the banter, which sold the match.
Roman Reigns broke the spirit of The Usos as he sits at the head of the table. Even Paul Heyman looked distressed, but The Wild Samoans accepting the result was a nice touch. Grade: A-
All. Perfectly. Legal.#HIAC [2] @WWEUsos [47] @WWERomanReigns [48] pic.twitter.com/nPsXJSqdsF [49]
— WWE (@WWE) October 25, 2020 [50]
“I don’t even know who I am anymore.” 👀#HIAC [2] #UniversalTitle [51] @WWERomanReigns [48] @WWEUsos [47] @HeymanHustle [52] pic.twitter.com/cUu2wN5xoD [53]
— WWE (@WWE) October 25, 2020 [54]
SmackDown Women’s Championship Inside Hell In A Cell: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks
After 380 days, Bayley faced her biggest challenge in Sasha Banks. For the better part of two years, fans have been waiting for this match.
Bayley made her Hell in a Cell debut while Banks looked for her first win inside the steel structure. Simply put, an outstanding performance that should have closed the show.
Now, Banks has held gold across all of WWE’s brands. It will be interesting if she can defend it. Grade: A-
#BossOfTheCell [55].#HIAC [2] @SashaBanksWWE [56] pic.twitter.com/bUJicsKGkW [57]
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2020 [58]
“X” marks the spot… but nobody home for @itsBayleyWWE [59]! 😮#HIAC [2] #WomensTitle [60] @SashaBanksWWE [56] pic.twitter.com/6rAdgzwfmC [61]
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2020 [62]