Hell in a Cell (2018): Difference between revisions
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{{short description| |
{{short description|WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming event}} |
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{{Infobox professional wrestling event |
{{Infobox professional wrestling event |
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|name = Hell in a Cell |
|name = Hell in a Cell |
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|brand = [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]<br>[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] |
|brand = [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]<br>[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] |
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|date = September 16, 2018 |
|date = September 16, 2018 |
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|attendance = 15,216<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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|attendance = 15,216<ref>{{cite web|title=Hell in a Cell Attendance PPV|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=187610/|website=cagematch.net|date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> |
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|venue = [[AT&T Center]] |
|venue = [[AT&T Center]] |
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|city = [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]] |
|city = [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]] |
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|nextevent2 = [[Hell in a Cell (2019)|2019]] |
|nextevent2 = [[Hell in a Cell (2019)|2019]] |
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'''Hell in a Cell''' was a [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view |
The 2018 '''Hell in a Cell''' was the 10th annual [[WWE Hell in a Cell|Hell in a Cell]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) and [[livestreaming]] [[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|event]] produced by [[WWE]]. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand divisions]]. The event took place on September 16, 2018, at the [[AT&T Center]] in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]]. Previously, Hell in a Cell was held annually in October, thus the 2018 event was the first to not have occurred during that month. The event returned to the October slot the following year, but in 2021, the event series was moved up to June. |
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Eight matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The main event, which was |
Eight matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The main event, which was Raw's [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Championship]] [[Hell in a Cell]] match between defending champion [[Roman Reigns]] and [[Braun Strowman]] with [[special guest referee]] [[Mick Foley]], ended in a no-contest after [[Brock Lesnar]] returned and attacked both men, rendering them unable to continue. This was also Strowman's [[Money in the Bank cash-in match]] that was scheduled in advance. In the other Hell in a Cell match, which was the opening bout, [[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Jeff Hardy]]. In other prominent matches, [[AJ Styles]] controversially retained SmackDown's [[WWE Championship]] against [[Samoa Joe]], [[Becky Lynch]] defeated [[Charlotte Flair]] to win the [[SmackDown Women's Championship]], and [[Ronda Rousey]] defeated [[Alexa Bliss]] to retain the [[Raw Women's Championship]]. |
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==Production== |
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===Background=== |
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[[File:Texasdd.JPG|thumb|right|The event was held at the [[AT&T Center]] in [[San Antonio, Texas]].]] |
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[[WWE Hell in a Cell|Hell in a Cell]] |
[[WWE Hell in a Cell|Hell in a Cell]] was an annual [[professional wrestling]] [[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|event]] produced by [[WWE]] since 2009. The [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|concept]] of the show came from WWE's established [[Hell in a Cell match]], in which competitors fought inside a 20-foot-high roofed cell structure surrounding the ring and ringside area. The main event match of the card was contested under the Hell in a Cell stipulation.<ref name="poll1">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_33127.shtml|title=WWE News: WWE changes the names of two more PPVs; Report on WWE fan input leading to changes|first=James|last=Caldwell|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=June 27, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630052934/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_33127.shtml|archive-date=June 30, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/hellinacell|title=Specialty Matches: Hell in a Cell|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=August 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050623014252/https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/hellinacell|archive-date=June 23, 2005}}</ref><ref name="poll2">{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1245448682.php|title=WWE seeking feedback on PPVs|first=Adam|last=Martin|work=WrestleView|access-date=August 3, 2009|date=June 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623072322/https://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1245448682.php|archive-date=June 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Announced on June 25, 2018, the 2018 event was the 10th Hell in a Cell. The event was previously held annually in October, but the 2018 event was moved up to September. It was held on September 16, 2018, at the [[AT&T Center]] in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]]. The event aired on [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) worldwide and was [[livestreamed]] on the [[WWE Network]]. Tickets went on sale on June 29 through [[Ticketmaster]].<ref name="2018event">{{cite tweet|number=1011218570745991168|title=Just announced: @WWE Hell In A Cell is coming to the AT&T Center September 16! Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am.|author=Frost Bank Center|user=FrostBankCenter|author-link=Frost Bank Center|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202030823/https://twitter.com/attcenter/status/1011218570745991168|archive-date=December 2, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Following [[WrestleMania 34]] in April, WWE discontinued [[WWE brand extension|brand]]-exclusive PPVs,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-2018-pay-per-view-schedule|title=WWE pay-per-views just got bigger for 2018!|date=February 17, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218024159/https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-2018-pay-per-view-schedule|archive-date=February 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> thus the 2018 event featured wrestlers from both the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] brand divisions.<ref name="2018event"/> The 2018 event also saw a redesign of the Hell in a Cell structure. The structure was entirely painted crimson-red and became smaller, with the wires being less pliable, making the structure stronger, yet lighter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/hell-in-a-cell-new-look|title=Hell in a Cell structure gets a fiery red makeover|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=September 17, 2018|date=September 15, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916073212/https://www.wwe.com/article/hell-in-a-cell-new-look|archive-date=September 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Storylines=== |
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The |
The event comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed [[Face (professional wrestling)|heroes]], [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]], or [[Tweener (professional wrestling)|less distinguishable characters]] in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,<ref>{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|work=HowStuffWorks|date=January 13, 2006|publisher=[[Discovery Communications]]|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218142749/https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, ''[[Monday Night Raw]]'' and ''[[SmackDown Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|title=WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (Exclusive)|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=May 25, 2016|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=May 25, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526113045/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|archive-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref> |
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At [[SummerSlam (2018)|SummerSlam]], [[Roman Reigns]] defeated [[Brock Lesnar]] to win the [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Championship]]. Before the match began, [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank contract]] winner [[Braun Strowman]] came out and declared that he would be cashing-in on the winner of the match and stayed at ringside. Strowman, however, was incapacitated by Lesnar during the match, preventing him from cashing in; this distraction allowed Reigns to defeat Lesnar to win the championship.<ref name="SSlam2018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=WWE SummerSlam results 8/19: Keller's report on Lesnar vs. Reigns, Bliss vs. Rousey, Styles vs. Joe, Ziggler vs. Rollins, Carmella vs. Charlotte vs. Becky, Braun vs. Owens|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/08/19/wwe-summerslam-results-8-19-kellers-report-on-lesnar-vs-reigns-bliss-vs-rousey-styles-vs-joe-ziggler-vs-rollins-carmella-vs-charlotte-vs-becky-braun-vs-owens/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=August 19, 2018|access-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529020729/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/08/19/wwe-summerslam-results-8-19-kellers-report-on-lesnar-vs-reigns-bliss-vs-rousey-styles-vs-joe-ziggler-vs-rollins-carmella-vs-charlotte-vs-becky-braun-vs-owens/|archive-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw'', Strowman once again attempted to cash-in after Reigns's successful title defense, but was stopped by [[Dean Ambrose]] and [[Seth Rollins]] coming to the aid of Reigns, reforming [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]].<ref name="Raw08202018">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/08/20/8-20-wwe-raw-results-kellers-full-run-down-and-analysis-of-post-summerslam-episode-including-reigns-stepping-out-in-brooklyn-as-new-champion/|title=8/20 WWE Raw Results: Keller's full run-down and analysis of post-Summerslam episode including Reigns stepping out in Brooklyn as new champion|date=August 20, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121220645/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/08/20/8-20-wwe-raw-results-kellers-full-run-down-and-analysis-of-post-summerslam-episode-including-reigns-stepping-out-in-brooklyn-as-new-champion/|archive-date=January 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, Strowman confronted Reigns and announced that he would be cashing-in at Hell in a Cell inside the [[Hell in a Cell|namesake structure]] so that Ambrose and Rollins could not interfere.<ref name="Raw08272018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=8/27 WWE Raw results: Keller's report on Reigns's show-opening confrontation with Braun, Corbin vs. Balor, Dana Brooke vs. Sasha, Seth open challenge|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/08/27/8-27-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-reignss-show-opening-appearance/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=August 27, 2018|access-date=August 27, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817171232/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/08/27/8-27-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-reignss-show-opening-appearance/|archive-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref> On the September 10 episode, [[Mick Foley]] was named as the [[special guest referee]] for the match.<ref name="Raw09102018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=9/10 WWE Raw Results: Keller's report on Rousey & Natalya vs. Bliss & Fox, Mick Foley talks about Triple H vs. Michaels HIAC, Triple H responds to Undertaker|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/09/10/9-10-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-rousey-natalya-vs-bliss-fox-mick-foley-talks-about-triple-h-vs-michaels-hiac-triple-h-responds-to-undertaker/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=September 10, 2018|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908222728/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/09/10/9-10-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-rousey-natalya-vs-bliss-fox-mick-foley-talks-about-triple-h-vs-michaels-hiac-triple-h-responds-to-undertaker/|archive-date=September 8, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At [[SummerSlam (2018)|SummerSlam]], [[The Miz]] defeated [[Daniel Bryan]] after Miz's wife [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]] gave him a pair of brass knuckles that the referee did not see.<ref name="SSlam2018">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=Powell’s WWE SummerSlam 2018 live review: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship, Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women’s Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/19/powells-wwe-summerslam-2018-live-review-brock-lesnar-vs-roman-reigns-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-samoa-joe-for-the-wwe-championship-alexa-bliss-vs-ronda-rousey-for-the-raw/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref> On the following ''SmackDown'', Miz and Maryse mocked Bryan's retirement speech from two years earlier. Bryan and his wife [[Brie Bella]] came out and confronted them. Bryan called Miz a coward for having to cheat to win and said that SmackDown General Manager [[Paige (wrestler)|Paige]] approved of a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#mixed tag team match|mixed tag team match]] between Bryan and Brie and Miz and Maryse at Hell in a Cell.<ref name="SmackDown08212018">{{cite web|last=Barnett|first=Jake|title=8/21 Barnett’s WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Bludgeon Brothers vs. New Day in a No DQ match for the Smackdown Tag Titles, Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy, Becky Lynch explains her actions at SummerSlam, AJ Styles interview|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/21/8-21-barnetts-wwe-smackdown-live-tv-review-bludgeon-brothers-vs-new-day-in-a-no-dq-match-for-the-smackdown-tag-titles-randy-orton-vs-jeff-hardy-becky-lynch-explains-her-actions-at-summerslam-a/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> |
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At SummerSlam, during the [[WWE Championship]] match between [[Samoa Joe]] and defending champion [[ |
At SummerSlam, during the [[WWE Championship]] match between [[Samoa Joe]] and defending champion [[AJ Styles]], Joe taunted Styles by disrespecting his wife and daughter, who were seated in the front row. An irate Styles attacked Joe with a steel chair, resulting in Joe winning by [[Disqualification (professional wrestling)|disqualification]], but Styles retaining the title.<ref name="SSlam2018"/> On the following ''SmackDown'', Joe attacked Styles from behind during an interview, and continued to disrespect Styles' family.<ref name="SmackDown08212018"/> On August 24, a title rematch was scheduled for Hell in a Cell.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Hell in a Cell lineup: Two matches advertised for the September event|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/24/wwe-hell-in-a-cell-lineup-two-matches-advertised-for-the-september-event/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=August 24, 2018|access-date=August 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824232122/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/24/wwe-hell-in-a-cell-lineup-two-matches-advertised-for-the-september-event/|archive-date=August 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At SummerSlam, after the referee was incapacitated, [[The Miz]] attacked [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] with a pair of brass knuckles handed by his wife, [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]], who was seated in the front row. After the referee came back to his senses, Miz pinned Bryan to win the match.<ref name="SSlam2018"/> On the following ''SmackDown'', Miz and Maryse mocked Bryan's retirement speech from two years earlier. Bryan and his wife [[Brie Bella]] came out and confronted them. Bryan called Miz a coward for having to cheat to win and said that SmackDown General Manager [[Saraya Bevis|Paige]] approved of a [[mixed tag team match]] pitting Bryan and Brie against Miz and Maryse at Hell in a Cell.<ref name="SmackDown08212018">{{cite web|last=Silverstein|first=Adam|title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Title change ends an uneven post-SummerSlam show|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-title-change-ends-an-uneven-post-summerslam-show/|work=[[CBSSports]]|date=August 21, 2018|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822113602/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-title-change-ends-an-uneven-post-summerslam-show/|archive-date=August 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On the August 21 episode of ''SmackDown'', [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|The New Day]]'s [[Kofi Kingston]] and [[Xavier Woods]] defeated [[The Bludgeon Brothers]] ([[Luke Harper|Harper]] and [[Erick Rowan|Rowan]]) in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Holds Barred match|no disqualification match]] to capture their third [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship|SmackDown Tag Team Championship]].<ref name="SmackDown08212018"/> On August 26, Paige scheduled two [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat matches]], with the winners facing each other to determine who would face The New Day for the titles at Hell in a Cell. [[Cesaro and Sheamus]] won the first triple threat match by defeating [[Gallows and Anderson|Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson]] and [[Primo and Epico|The Colóns]] ([[Primo Colón|Primo]] and [[Epico Colón|Epico]]) on the August 28 episode of ''SmackDown''.<ref name="SmackDown08282018">{{cite web|last=Barnett|first=Jake|title=8/28 Barnett’s WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Charlotte vs. Carmella for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Sheamus and Cesaro vs. The Colons to earn a spot in a No. 1 contender match for the Smackdown Tag Titles|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/28/8-28-barnetts-wwe-smackdown-live-tv-review-charlotte-vs-carmella-for-the-smackdown-womens-championship-luke-gallows-and-karl-anderson-vs-sheamus-and-cesaro-vs-the-colons-to-earn-a-spot-in-a-n/|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=August 28, 2018|access-date=August 29, 2018}}</ref> [[Rusev (wrestler)|Rusev]] and [[Aiden English]] won the second triple threat match by defeating [[The Usos]] (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and [[Sanity (professional wrestling)|Sanity's]] [[Eric Young (wrestler)|Eric Young]] and [[Killian Dain]] on the September 4 episode of ''SmackDown'',<ref name="SmackDown09042018">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=9/4 Powell’s WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: The Usos vs. Sanity vs. Rusev Day to earn a spot in the No. 1 contenders match for the Smackdown Tag Titles, the road to WWE Hell in a Cell continues|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/09/04/9-4-powells-wwe-smackdown-live-tv-review-the-usos-vs-sanity-vs-rusev-day-to-earn-a-spot-in-the-no-1-contenders-match-for-the-smackdown-tag-titles-the-road-to-wwe-hell-in-a-cell-continues/|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=September 4, 2018}}</ref> thus setting up Cesaro and Sheamus and Rusev and English facing each other for the September 11 episode of ''SmackDown'', which was won by Rusev and English.<ref name="SmackDown09112018">{{cite web|last1=Barnett|first1=Jake|title=9/11 Barnett’s WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Brie Bella vs. Maryse, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy in a non-title match, Charlotte Flair vs. Sonya Deville in a non-title match, The Bar vs. Rusev Day for a shot at the Smackdown Tag Titles|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/09/11/9-11-barnetts-wwe-smackdown-live-tv-review-brie-bella-vs-maryse-shinsuke-nakamura-vs-jeff-hardy-in-a-non-title-match-charlotte-flair-vs-sonya-deville-in-a-non-title-match-the-bar-vs-rusev-da/|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=September 11, 2018}}</ref> |
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On August 26, Paige scheduled two [[triple threat tag team match]]es, with the winners facing each other to determine who would face [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|The New Day]] ([[Kofi Kingston]], [[Big E (wrestler)|Big E]], and [[Xavier Woods]]) for the [[SmackDown Tag Team Championship]] at Hell in a Cell.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/tournament-announced-determine-new-day-s-opponents-hell-cell|title=Tournament Announced To Determine The New Day's Opponents At 'Hell In A Cell'|date=August 26, 2018|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|work=Fightful|access-date=October 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302195931/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/tournament-announced-determine-new-day-s-opponents-hell-cell|archive-date=March 2, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cesaro and Sheamus]] won the first triple threat match by defeating [[Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson]] and [[Primo and Epico|The Colóns]] ([[Primo Colón|Primo]] and [[Epico Colón|Epico]]) on the August 28 episode.<ref name="SmackDown08282018">{{cite web|last=Crosby|first=Jack|title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Becky Lynch stands tall, Miz & Maryse get revenge|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-becky-lynch-stands-tall-miz-maryse-get-revenge/|work=[[CBSSports]]|date=August 28, 2018|access-date=August 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829135948/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-becky-lynch-stands-tall-miz-maryse-get-revenge/|archive-date=August 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Miro (wrestler)|Rusev]] and [[Aiden English]] won the second triple threat match by defeating [[The Usos]] ([[Jey Uso]] and [[Jimmy Uso]]) and [[Sanity (professional wrestling)|Sanity]]'s [[Eric Young (wrestler)|Eric Young]] and [[Killian Dain]] on the September 4 episode,<ref name="SmackDown09042018">{{cite web|last=Crosby|first=Jack|title=WWE SmackDown Live results, recap, grades: Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella are not gullible|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-live-results-recap-grades-daniel-bryan-and-brie-bella-are-not-gullible/|work=[[CBSSports]]|date=September 4, 2018|access-date=September 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905113358/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-live-results-recap-grades-daniel-bryan-and-brie-bella-are-not-gullible/|archive-date=September 5, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> thus setting up [[Claudio Castagnoli|Cesaro]] and [[Sheamus]] vs. Rusev and English for the September 11 episode, which was won by Rusev and English.<ref name="SmackDown09112018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=9/11 WWE SmackDown Results: Keller's report on Hardy vs. Shinsuke, Charlotte vs. Sonya, Bar vs. Rusev Day, Brie vs. Maryse, final HIAC hype|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/09/11/9-11-wwe-smackdown-results-kellers-report-on-hardy-vs-shinsuke-charlotte-vs-sonya-bar-vs-rusev-day-brie-vs-maryse-final-hiac-hype/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=September 11, 2018|access-date=September 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908223507/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/09/11/9-11-wwe-smackdown-results-kellers-report-on-hardy-vs-shinsuke-charlotte-vs-sonya-bar-vs-rusev-day-brie-vs-maryse-final-hiac-hype/|archive-date=September 8, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The match was then scheduled for the Kickoff pre-show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/114313-tag-team-title-match-moved-to-hiac-kickoff-show/|title=WWE now promoting Smackdown Tag Team Title match for Hell in a Cell Kickoff Show|date=September 14, 2018|last=Martin|first=Adam|work=WrestleView|access-date=November 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118165014/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/114313-tag-team-title-match-moved-to-hiac-kickoff-show/|archive-date=November 18, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At SummerSlam, [[Roman Reigns]] defeated [[Brock Lesnar]] to win the [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Championship]]. Before the match began, [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank contract]] winner [[Braun Strowman]] came out and declared that he would be cashing-in on the winner of the match and stayed at ringside. Strowman, however, was incapacitated by Lesnar during the match, preventing him from cashing in; this distraction allowed Reigns to defeat Lesnar to win the championship.<ref name="SSlam2018"/> The next night on ''Raw'', Strowman once again attempted to cash-in after Reigns successfully defended the title against [[Finn Bálor]], but was stopped by [[Dean Ambrose]] and [[Seth Rollins]] coming to the aid of Reigns, reforming [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]].<ref name="Raw08202018">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=8/20 Powell’s WWE Raw Live TV Review: The night after WWE SummerSlam, new champions Roman Reigns and Ronda Rousey, Triple H appearance, Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/20/8-20-powells-wwe-raw-live-tv-review-the-night-after-wwe-summerslam/|work=Pro Wreslting Dot Net|date=August 20, 2018|access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> The following week, Strowman confronted Reigns and announced that he would be cashing-in at Hell in a Cell inside the [[Hell in a Cell|namesake structure]] so that Ambrose and Rollins could not interfere.<ref name="Raw08272018">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=8/27 Powell’s WWE Raw Live TV Review: Braun Strowman wants Roman Reigns alone in the ring after last week’s attack by The Shield, Baron Corbin’s first night as temporary general manager, the build to Hell in a Cell continues|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/27/8-27-powells-wwe-raw-live-tv-review-braun-strowman-wants-roman-reigns-alone-in-the-ring-after-last-weeks-attack-by-the-shield-baron-corbins-first-night-as-temporary-general-manager-the-build/|work=Pro Wreslting Dot Net|date=August 27, 2018|access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> On the September 10 episode of ''Raw'', [[Mick Foley]] was named as the [[Referee (professional wrestling)#Special referees|special guest referee]] for the match.<ref name="Raw09102018">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=9/10 Powell’s WWE Raw Live TV Review: Ronda Rousey and Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James, Triple H responds to Undertaker, Mick Foley on Hell in a Cell|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/09/10/9-10-powells-wwe-raw-live-tv-review-ronda-rousey-and-natalya-vs-alexa-bliss-and-alicia-fox-triple-h-responds-to-undertaker-mick-foley-on-hell-in-a-cell/|work=Pro Wreslting Dot Net|date=September 10, 2018|access-date=September 11, 2018}}</ref> |
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At SummerSlam, [[Ronda Rousey]] defeated [[Alexa Bliss]] to win the [[ |
At SummerSlam, [[Ronda Rousey]] defeated [[Alexa Bliss]] to win the [[Raw Women's Championship]].<ref name="SSlam2018"/> On the August 27 episode of ''Raw'', Bliss announced that she would be invoking her championship rematch clause at Hell in a Cell.<ref name="Raw08272018"/> |
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At [[Backlash (2018)|Backlash]], [[Jeff Hardy]] |
At [[Backlash (2018)|Backlash]], [[Jeff Hardy]] defeated [[Randy Orton]] to retain the [[WWE United States Championship|United States Championship]].<ref name="Backlash2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/05/06/wwe-backlash-results-5-6-kellers-ppv-report-including-styles-vs-nakamura-seth-vs-miz-carmella-vs-charlotte-jax-vs-bliss-reigns-vs-joe/|title=WWE Backlash results 5/6: Keller's PPV report including Styles vs. Nakamura, Seth vs. Miz, Carmella vs. Charlotte, Jax vs. Bliss, Reigns vs. Joe|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=May 6, 2018|access-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129234341/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/05/06/wwe-backlash-results-5-6-kellers-ppv-report-including-styles-vs-nakamura-seth-vs-miz-carmella-vs-charlotte-jax-vs-bliss-reigns-vs-joe/|archive-date=November 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Extreme Rules (2018)|Extreme Rules]], after Hardy lost the United States Championship to [[Shinsuke Nakamura]], Orton attacked Hardy.<ref name="ER2018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=7/15 WWE Extreme Rules results: Keller's PPV results and analysis including Styles vs. Rusev, Carmella vs. Asuka, Braun vs. Owens in a cage, Ziggler vs. Rollins, Lashley vs. Reigns, more|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/15/7-15-wwe-extreme-rules-results-kellers-ppv-results-and-analysis-including-styles-vs-rusev-carmella-vs-asuka-braun-vs-owens-in-a-cage-ziggler-vs-rollins-lashley-vs-reigns-more/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch| date=July 15, 2018 |access-date=July 15, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003101326/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/15/7-15-wwe-extreme-rules-results-kellers-ppv-results-and-analysis-including-styles-vs-rusev-carmella-vs-asuka-braun-vs-owens-in-a-cage-ziggler-vs-rollins-lashley-vs-reigns-more/|archive-date=October 3, 2018}}</ref> Two days later on the July 17 episode of ''SmackDown'', Hardy had a rematch with Nakamura, but it ended in a draw after Orton attacked Hardy.<ref name="SmackDown07172018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=WWE SmackDown Results 7/17: Keller's report on Nakamura defends against Jeff Hardy, Extreme Rules follow-up and Road to Summerslam starts|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/17/wwe-smackdown-results-7-17-nakamura-defends-against-jeff-hardy-extreme-rules-follow-up-and-road-to-summerslam-starts/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=July 17, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310001701/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/17/wwe-smackdown-results-7-17-nakamura-defends-against-jeff-hardy-extreme-rules-follow-up-and-road-to-summerslam-starts/|archive-date=March 10, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, Orton explained his attacks on Hardy by stating that he felt disrespected by the WWE Universe and hated how they were supportive of superstars like Hardy.<ref name="SmackDown07242018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=WWE SmackDown Results 7/24: Keller's report on Styles's opponent at Summerslam announcement, Becky vs. Carmella, Orton-Hardy fallout, Miz & Mrs hype|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/24/wwe-smackdown-results-7-24-styles-opponent-at-summerslam-announcement-becky-vs-carmella-orton-hardy-fallout-miz-mrs-hype/|date=July 24, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031223618/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/24/wwe-smackdown-results-7-24-styles-opponent-at-summerslam-announcement-becky-vs-carmella-orton-hardy-fallout-miz-mrs-hype/|archive-date=October 31, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The next week, Orton launched a third attack on Hardy with assistance from Nakamura.<ref name="SmackDown07312018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=WWE SmackDown Results 7/31: Keller's report on show including Summerslam hype for Styles-Joe, Becky-Carmella, Bryan-Miz, more|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/31/wwe-smackdown-results-7-31-kellers-report-on-show-including-summerslam-hype-for-styles-joe-becky-carmella-bryan-miz-more/|date=July 31, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803154644/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/07/31/wwe-smackdown-results-7-31-kellers-report-on-show-including-summerslam-hype-for-styles-joe-becky-carmella-bryan-miz-more/|archive-date=August 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Hardy invoked his rematch clause at SummerSlam,<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Adam|title=WWE quietly announces new championship match for SummerSlam, Updated card|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/110855-new-title-match-us-title-summerslam-ppv/|work=WrestleView|date=August 4, 2018|access-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052123/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/110855-new-title-match-us-title-summerslam-ppv/|archive-date=August 5, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and would once again fail to regain the title. After the match, Orton came out while Hardy was incapacitated in the ring, only to turn back and walk away.<ref name="SSlam2018"/> On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Orton and Hardy had a match that ended in disqualification after Hardy low-blowed Orton. Hardy then proceeded to attack Orton all around the arena and eventually spread in the crowd area. Hardy then executed a "[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#High angle senton bomb|Swanton Bomb]]" on Orton off the balcony through a table.<ref name="SmackDown08212018"/> The following week, Hardy challenged Orton to a Hell in a Cell match at the namesake event, which Orton accepted.<ref name="SmackDown08282018"/> |
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At SummerSlam, [[Charlotte Flair]] defeated [[Becky Lynch]] and [[Carmella (wrestler)|Carmella]] in a triple threat match to capture the [[ |
At SummerSlam, [[Charlotte Flair]] defeated [[Becky Lynch]] and defending champion [[Carmella (wrestler)|Carmella]] in a triple threat match to capture the [[SmackDown Women's Championship]]. After the match, Lynch turned heel and attacked Flair.<ref name="SSlam2018"/> Over the following weeks, Lynch and Flair confronted and attacked each other.<ref name="SmackDown08212018"/><ref name="SmackDown08282018"/> On the September 4 episode of ''SmackDown'', a match between Lynch and Flair for the title was scheduled for Hell in a Cell.<ref name="SmackDown09042018"/> |
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On the |
On the August 27 episode of ''Raw'', [[Dolph Ziggler]] and [[Drew McIntyre]] lost to Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman via disqualification when they beat down Reigns, who was not legal. Strowman then sided with Ziggler and McIntyre, and also overpowered Reigns's Shield members, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.<ref name="Raw08272018"/> The following week, Ziggler and McIntyre won the [[Raw Tag Team Championship]].<ref name="Raw09032018">{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Brian|title=WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Potentially hot episode winds up overbooked, confusing|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-potentially-hot-episode-winds-up-overbooked-confusing/|work=[[CBSSports]]|access-date=September 3, 2018|date=September 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904142538/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-potentially-hot-episode-winds-up-overbooked-confusing/|archive-date=September 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> After a successful title defense on the September 10 episode, Ziggler and McIntyre were scheduled to defend the titles against Ambrose and Rollins at Hell in a Cell.<ref name="Raw09102018"/> |
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== Event == |
== Event == |
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|[[Renee Young]] {{small|(Raw)}} |
|[[Renee Young]] {{small|(Raw)}} |
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|[[Tom |
|[[Tom Hannifan|Tom Phillips]] {{small|(SmackDown)}} |
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|[[Byron Saxton]] {{small|(SmackDown)}} |
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|rowspan=2|Interviewers |
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|Charly Caruso |
|[[Charly Arnolt|Charly Caruso]] |
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|[[Kayla Braxton]] |
|[[Kayla Braxton]] |
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|[[Jonathan Coachman]] |
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|[[ |
|[[Saraya Bevis|Paige]] |
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|[[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] |
|[[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] |
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===Pre-show=== |
===Pre-show=== |
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During the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show, The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) (accompanied by Xavier Woods) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Rusev Day (Rusev and Aiden English) (accompanied by Lana). In the climax, Kingston performed [[540 kick|"Trouble in Paradise"]] on English to retain the |
During the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show, The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) (accompanied by Xavier Woods) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Rusev Day (Rusev and Aiden English) (accompanied by Lana). In the climax, Kingston performed [[540 kick|"Trouble in Paradise"]] on English to retain the titles.<ref name="preHIAC2018"/> |
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=== Preliminary matches === |
=== Preliminary matches === |
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The actual pay-per-view opened with Jeff Hardy facing Randy Orton in a Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Orton threaded a screwdriver through Hardy's earlobe. Hardy would then counter with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blow]]. Hardy performed a [[Cutter (professional wrestling)#Front facelock cutter|"Twist of Fate"]] on Orton, then placed a chair on him and performed a |
The actual pay-per-view opened with Jeff Hardy facing Randy Orton in a Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Orton threaded a screwdriver through Hardy's earlobe. Hardy would then counter with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blow]]. Hardy performed a [[Cutter (professional wrestling)#Front facelock cutter|"Twist of Fate"]] on Orton, then placed a chair on him and performed a "Swanton Bomb" on Orton for a near-fall. In the climax, Hardy climbed a ladder and grabbed onto the top of the cell. Dangling from the cell, Hardy attempted a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving splash|splash]] on Orton through a table, only for Orton to move, causing Hardy to crash through the table. Orton pinned Hardy to win the match.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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Next, Charlotte Flair defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Becky Lynch. In the climax, as Flair attempted a [[ |
Next, Charlotte Flair defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Becky Lynch. In the climax, as Flair attempted a [[Spear (professional wrestling)|spear]], Lynch countered and pinned Flair to win the title for a record tying second time. After the match, Flair offered a handshake, only for Lynch to refuse.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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After that, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. In the end, as Rollins had Ziggler up for the [[Suplex#Suplex slam|"Falcon Arrow"]], McIntyre performed a [[ |
After that, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. In the end, as Rollins had Ziggler up for the [[Suplex#Suplex slam|"Falcon Arrow"]], McIntyre performed a "[[Claymore Kick]]" on Rollins, and Ziggler fell on top of Rollins to pin him and retain the titles.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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In the fourth match, AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe. The closing moments saw Styles attempt a springboard only for Joe to counter into the [[Rear naked choke|"Coquina Clutch"]]. Styles countered this into a pin, but during the pin, Styles submitted. The referee did not see Styles submit and counted the pinfall for Styles to controversially retain. After the match, an irate Joe attacked Styles as he felt he had won the match.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
In the fourth match, AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe. The closing moments saw Styles attempt a springboard only for Joe to counter into the [[Rear naked choke|"Coquina Clutch"]]. Styles countered this into a pin, but during the pin, Styles submitted. The referee did not see Styles submit and counted the pinfall for Styles to controversially retain. After the match, an irate Joe attacked Styles as he felt he had won the match.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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Next, Daniel Bryan and his wife Brie Bella faced The Miz and his wife Maryse in a mixed tag team match. In the end, Maryse pinned Bella with a [[ |
Next, Daniel Bryan and his wife Brie Bella faced The Miz and his wife Maryse in a mixed tag team match. In the end, Maryse pinned Bella with a [[Roll-up (professional wrestling)|roll up]] whilst holding Bella's tights to win.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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In the penultimate match, Ronda Rousey (accompanied by Natalya) defended the Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss (accompanied by Mickie James and Alicia Fox). In the climax, Rousey forced Bliss to submit to an [[ |
In the penultimate match, Ronda Rousey (accompanied by Natalya) defended the Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss (accompanied by Mickie James and Alicia Fox). Throughout the match, Bliss focused on Rousey's injured ribs, but Rousey stayed in the fight. In the climax, when Bliss taunted Rousey, Rousey performed a gutwrench powerbomb and followed up with strikes in the corner. As Bliss went for a right hand, Rousey blocked and followed up with "Piper's Pit". Rousey forced Bliss to submit to an [[armbar]] to retain the title.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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Before the main event, SmackDown general manager Paige informed an enraged Samoa Joe backstage that he would get his rematch against AJ Styles for the WWE Championship in a [[No Disqualification match|No Disqualification]], [[No Countout match|No Countout]] match at [[Super Show-Down (2018)|Super Show-Down]].<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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=== Main event === |
=== Main event === |
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In the main event, Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman in a Hell in a Cell match with Mick Foley as the special guest referee, which was also Strowman's Money in the Bank cash-in match. Strowman |
In the main event, Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman in a Hell in a Cell match with Mick Foley as the special guest referee, which was also Strowman's Money in the Bank cash-in match. During the match, Reigns performed two [[superman punch]]es, but as he went for a third, Strowman intercepted him with a [[chokeslam]] for a nearfall. Reigns then performed a pop-up superman punch on Strowman for a nearfall. Reigns set up a table and ran around the ring, but Strowman knocked him out with the steel steps. Back inside the ring, Strowman bashed the steps in Reigns' midsection and performed a [[Powerslam#Front powerslam|running powerslam]] on Reigns for a nearfall. As Strowman attempted a running powerslam on Reigns through the table, which was positioned in the corner, Reigns slipped out and followed up with two superman punches and a Spear on Strowman through the table for a nearfall. Afterwards, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre attempted to interfere, only for Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to intercept McIntyre and Ziggler. Atop the cell, Ziggler performed a [[superkick]] on Rollins. Ambrose struck McIntyre and Ziggler with a kendo stick. Rollins and Ziggler fell off the cell through the announce tables. In the climax, Brock Lesnar (with [[Paul Heyman]]) made a surprise return. Lesnar kicked in the cell door while Heyman incapacitated Foley with pepper spray. Lesnar then attacked both Strowman and Reigns with broken pieces of a table and performed [[Facebuster#Red Wedding|F-5]]s on each man before departing. A second referee came out and declared that Strowman and Reigns could not continue, resulting in a no-contest, thus Reigns retained the title. Strowman became the fourth person to fail in gaining a championship in their cash-in match, and the first to fail by a no-contest ruling.<ref name="HIAC2018"/> |
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==Aftermath== |
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The 2018 event would be the only Hell in a Cell to take place in the month of September, as the [[Hell in a Cell (2019)|following year's event]] returned Hell in a Cell to its regular October slot.<ref name="2019event">{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=WWE Hell in a Cell Location & Top Matches Currently Advertised|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/128095/wwe-hell-in-a-cell-location-top-matches-currently-advertised.html?p=1|date=July 19, 2019|access-date=July 19, 2019|work=PWInsider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719223356/https://pwinsider.com/article/128095/wwe-hell-in-a-cell-location-top-matches-currently-advertised.html?p=1|archive-date=July 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Hell in a Cell (2021)|2021]], however, the series was moved up to June until the event's discontinuation in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guzzo|first=Gisberto|title=WWE Announces Date For Hell In A Cell 2021, MITB Reportedly Scheduled With Fans|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-date-hell-cell-2021|work=Fightful|date=May 16, 2021|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517004510/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-date-hell-cell-2021|archive-date=May 17, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Raw=== |
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The following night on ''Raw'', Universal Champion Roman Reigns stated that Brock Lesnar was owed a rematch, but didn't think he'd do what he did at Hell in a Cell. Reigns called out Lesnar, but got Strowman instead. Strowman then stated that Lesnar was the reason that Reigns was still the champion. Afterwards, acting general manager [[Baron Corbin]] interrupted, and informed Reigns that he would be defending the title against Lesnar and Strowman in a triple threat match at [[Crown Jewel (2018)|Crown Jewel]]. However, Corbin noted how banged up Reigns was from Hell in a Cell, and earned himself a title match against Reigns, which was scheduled for that episode's main event. The match initially ended in a disqualification win for Reigns after Corbin struck him with a chair, only for Corbin to restart the match under no disqualification rules. Strowman and Raw Tag Team Champions Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler tried to interfere, only for Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to intercept them and allow Reigns to pin Corbin to retain.<ref name="Raw09172018">{{cite web|last=Crosby|first=Jack|title=WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Universal title swerve, Undertaker makes announcement|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-universal-title-swerve-undertaker-makes-announcement/|work=[[CBSSports]]|date=September 18, 2018|access-date=September 17, 2018}}</ref> The animosity between the two teams continued to heat up, and at Super Show-Down, The Shield (Reigns, Ambrose, and Rollins) defeated Strowman, McIntyre, and Ziggler.<ref name="Super Show-Down">{{cite web|last=Colohue|first=Tom|title=WWE Super Show-Down Report 10/6: Results of Becky vs. Charlotte, Styles vs. Joe, Strowman & Drew & Dolph vs. The Shield, Miz vs. Bryan|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/10/06/wwe-super-show-down-report-10-6-results-of-becky-vs-charlotte-styles-vs-joe-strowman-drew-dolph-vs-the-shield-miz-vs-bryan/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=October 6, 2018|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> On the October 22 episode, however, Reigns announced that his [[leukemia]], which had been in remission since late 2008, had legitimately relapsed. This turned the scheduled triple threat match into a singles match between Lesnar and Strowman for the vacant title. Later that night, Rollins and Ambrose faced McIntyre and Ziggler in a rematch for the Raw Tag Team Championship, where Rollins and Ambrose were victorious. Afterwards, Ambrose turned on Rollins.<ref name="Raw10222018">{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Brian|title=WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Roman Reigns' reveal, a major heel turn and a title change|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-roman-reigns-reveal-a-major-heel-turn-and-a-title-change/|work=[[CBSSports]]|date=October 23, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106195405/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-roman-reigns-reveal-a-major-heel-turn-and-a-title-change/|archive-date=November 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
|||
Also on ''Raw'', after Drew McIntyre defeated Dean Ambrose, Baron Corbin asked Dolph Ziggler if he would be invoking his championship rematch clause against Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins. If Rollins was unable to compete, he would have been stripped of the title, which would have been awarded to Ziggler. Rollins did show up, and retained against Ziggler.<ref name="Raw09172018"/> |
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===SmackDown=== |
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On ''SmackDown'', new SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch talked about her win over Charlotte Flair. Flair interrupted to pay her respect to Lynch, but told her that she paid a big price by throwing away their friendship, and hyped their rematch at Super Show-Down. After they talked trash, they engaged in a brawl, with Lynch standing tall in the end.<ref name="SmackDown09182018">{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Brian|title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Becky Lynch stands out, and a major breakup goes down|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-becky-lynch-stands-out-and-a-major-breakup-goes-down/|access-date=February 14, 2023|work=[[CBSSports]]|date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920121741/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-becky-lynch-stands-out-and-a-major-breakup-goes-down/|archive-date=September 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Also on ''SmackDown'', The Miz revealed that he would be facing Daniel Bryan in a rematch from SummerSlam at Super Show-Down, where the winner would be the new number one contender for the WWE Championship. The two then brawled, with Bryan accidentally sending The Miz into his wife, Maryse, before calling him a "coward".<ref name="SmackDown09182018"/> |
|||
Rusev told Aiden English backstage that he didn't need him for the United States Championship match. Later that night, during the match, English distracted Rusev, costing him the match. Afterwards, English turned on Rusev.<ref name="SmackDown09182018"/> |
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Following WWE Champion AJ Styles' win over [[Andrade "Cien" Almas]], Samoa Joe attacked Styles, resulting in a brawl which ended with Joe poking Styles in the eye, furthering the heat between Styles and Joe heading into their rematch at Super Show-Down.<ref name="SmackDown09182018"/> |
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== |
==Results== |
||
{{Pro |
{{Pro wrestling results table |
||
|times = <ref name="preHIAC2018">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title= |
|times = <ref name="preHIAC2018">{{cite web|url-status=live|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=Powell's WWE Hell in a Cell 2018 Kickoff Show coverage: New Day vs. Rusev and Aiden English for the Smackdown Tag Titles|archive-date=September 17, 2018|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/09/16/powells-wwe-hell-in-a-cell-2018-kickoff-show-coverage-new-day-vs-rusev-and-aiden-english-for-the-smackdown-tag-titles/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917035758/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/09/16/powells-wwe-hell-in-a-cell-2018-kickoff-show-coverage-new-day-vs-rusev-and-aiden-english-for-the-smackdown-tag-titles/}}</ref><ref name="HIAC2018">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=Powell's WWE Hell in a Cell 2018 live review: Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in an HIAC for the WWE Universal Championship with Mick Foley as referee, AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Title, Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton in an HIAC match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/09/16/powells-wwe-hell-in-a-cell-2018-live-review-roman-reigns-vs-braun-strowman-in-an-hiac-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-with-mick-foley-as-referee-aj-styles-vs-samoa-joe-for-the-wwe-title-jeff/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917035802/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/09/16/powells-wwe-hell-in-a-cell-2018-live-review-roman-reigns-vs-braun-strowman-in-an-hiac-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-with-mick-foley-as-referee-aj-styles-vs-samoa-joe-for-the-wwe-title-jeff/|archive-date=September 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
⚫ | |||
|future = no |
|||
⚫ | |stip1 = [[Tag team match]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day def. Rusev Day (Kickoff Match)|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/the-new-day-rusev-aiden-english-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> |
||
⚫ | |||
|note1 = pre |
|||
⚫ | |stip1 = [[ |
||
|pre1 = yes |
|||
|time1 = 8:55 |
|time1 = 8:55 |
||
|match2 = [[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Jeff Hardy]] |
|match2 = [[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Jeff Hardy]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip2 = [[ |
|stip2 = [[Hell in a Cell match]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Randy Orton def. Jeff Hardy (Hell in a Cell Match)|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/jeff-hardy-randy-orton-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917105335/https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/jeff-hardy-randy-orton-results|archive-date=September 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time2 = 24:50 |
|time2 = 24:50 |
||
|match3 = [[Becky Lynch]] defeated [[Charlotte Flair]] (c) |
|match3 = [[Becky Lynch]] defeated [[Charlotte Flair]] (c) by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip3 = [[ |
|stip3 = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Women's Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Becky Lynch def. Charlotte Flair to win the SmackDown Women's Championship|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/charlotte-flair-becky-lynch-results|publisher=WWE|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> |
||
|time3 = 13:50 |
|time3 = 13:50 |
||
|match4 = [[Dolph Ziggler]] and [[Drew McIntyre]] (c) defeated [[Dean Ambrose]] and [[Seth Rollins]] |
|match4 = [[Dolph Ziggler]] and [[Drew McIntyre]] (c) defeated [[Dean Ambrose]] and [[Seth Rollins]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip4 = Tag team match for the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship]]<ref>{{cite web| |
|stip4 = [[Tag team match]] for the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Raw Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntrye def. Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/dolph-ziggler-drew-mcIntrye-seth-rollins-dean-ambrose-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> |
||
|time4 = 24:52 |
|time4 = 24:52 |
||
|match5 = [[AJ Styles]] (c) defeated [[Samoa Joe]] |
|match5 = [[AJ Styles]] (c) defeated [[Samoa Joe]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip5 = Singles match for the [[WWE Championship]]<ref>{{cite web| |
|stip5 = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Samoa Joe|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/wwe-champion-aj-styles-samoa-joe-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> |
||
|time5 = 19:00 |
|time5 = 19:00 |
||
|match6 = [[The Miz]] and [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]] defeated [[Daniel Bryan]] and [[Brie Bella]] |
|match6 = [[The Miz]] and [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]] defeated [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] and [[Brie Bella]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip6 = [[ |
|stip6 = [[Mixed tag team match]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=The Miz & Maryse def. Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/daniel-bryan-brie-bella-the-miz-maryse-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> |
||
|time6 = 13:00 |
|time6 = 13:00 |
||
|match7 = [[Ronda Rousey]] (c) (with [[Natalya Neidhart|Natalya]]) defeated [[Alexa Bliss]] (with [[Alicia Fox]] and [[Mickie James]]) by submission |
|match7 = [[Ronda Rousey]] (c) (with [[Natalya Neidhart|Natalya]]) defeated [[Alexa Bliss]] (with [[Alicia Fox]] and [[Mickie James]]) by [[Submission (professional wrestling)|submission]] |
||
|stip7 = Singles match for the [[WWE Raw Women's Championship]]<ref>{{cite web| |
|stip7 = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Raw Women's Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey def. Alexa Bliss|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/ronda-rousey-alexa-bliss-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> |
||
|time7 = 12:02 |
|time7 = 12:02 |
||
|match8 = [[Roman Reigns]] (c) vs. [[Braun Strowman]] ended in a no contest |
|match8 = [[Roman Reigns]] (c) vs. [[Braun Strowman]] ended in a [[No contest (professional wrestling)|no contest]] |
||
|stip8 = Hell in a Cell match for the [[WWE Universal Championship]] with [[Mick Foley]] as [[ |
|stip8 = [[Hell in a Cell match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]] with [[Mick Foley]] as [[special guest referee]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman ended in a No Contest (Hell in a Cell Match)|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2018/roman-reigns-braun-strowman-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref><br>{{small|This was Strowman's [[Money in the Bank cash-in match]].}} |
||
|time8 = 24:10 |
|time8 = 24:10 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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== |
==External links== |
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* |
*{{Official website|https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell|Hell in a Cell Official Website}} |
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{{2018 WWE Network events}} |
{{2018 WWE Network events}} |
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[[Category:2018 WWE Network events]] |
[[Category:2018 WWE Network events]] |
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[[Category:September 2018 events in the United States]] |
[[Category:September 2018 events in the United States]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:21st century in San Antonio]] |
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[[Category:Professional wrestling in San Antonio]] |
[[Category:Professional wrestling shows in San Antonio]] |
Latest revision as of 16:57, 9 July 2024
Hell in a Cell | |||
---|---|---|---|
Promotion | WWE | ||
Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown | ||
Date | September 16, 2018 | ||
City | San Antonio, Texas | ||
Venue | AT&T Center | ||
Attendance | 15,216[1] | ||
WWE Network event chronology | |||
| |||
Hell in a Cell chronology | |||
|
The 2018 Hell in a Cell was the 10th annual Hell in a Cell professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The event took place on September 16, 2018, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Previously, Hell in a Cell was held annually in October, thus the 2018 event was the first to not have occurred during that month. The event returned to the October slot the following year, but in 2021, the event series was moved up to June.
Eight matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The main event, which was Raw's Universal Championship Hell in a Cell match between defending champion Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman with special guest referee Mick Foley, ended in a no-contest after Brock Lesnar returned and attacked both men, rendering them unable to continue. This was also Strowman's Money in the Bank cash-in match that was scheduled in advance. In the other Hell in a Cell match, which was the opening bout, Randy Orton defeated Jeff Hardy. In other prominent matches, AJ Styles controversially retained SmackDown's WWE Championship against Samoa Joe, Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte Flair to win the SmackDown Women's Championship, and Ronda Rousey defeated Alexa Bliss to retain the Raw Women's Championship.
Production
[edit]Background
[edit]Hell in a Cell was an annual professional wrestling event produced by WWE since 2009. The concept of the show came from WWE's established Hell in a Cell match, in which competitors fought inside a 20-foot-high roofed cell structure surrounding the ring and ringside area. The main event match of the card was contested under the Hell in a Cell stipulation.[2][3][4] Announced on June 25, 2018, the 2018 event was the 10th Hell in a Cell. The event was previously held annually in October, but the 2018 event was moved up to September. It was held on September 16, 2018, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event aired on pay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and was livestreamed on the WWE Network. Tickets went on sale on June 29 through Ticketmaster.[5] Following WrestleMania 34 in April, WWE discontinued brand-exclusive PPVs,[6] thus the 2018 event featured wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions.[5] The 2018 event also saw a redesign of the Hell in a Cell structure. The structure was entirely painted crimson-red and became smaller, with the wires being less pliable, making the structure stronger, yet lighter.[7]
Storylines
[edit]The event comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,[8][9] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live.[10]
At SummerSlam, Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to win the Universal Championship. Before the match began, Money in the Bank contract winner Braun Strowman came out and declared that he would be cashing-in on the winner of the match and stayed at ringside. Strowman, however, was incapacitated by Lesnar during the match, preventing him from cashing in; this distraction allowed Reigns to defeat Lesnar to win the championship.[11] The next night on Raw, Strowman once again attempted to cash-in after Reigns's successful title defense, but was stopped by Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins coming to the aid of Reigns, reforming The Shield.[12] The following week, Strowman confronted Reigns and announced that he would be cashing-in at Hell in a Cell inside the namesake structure so that Ambrose and Rollins could not interfere.[13] On the September 10 episode, Mick Foley was named as the special guest referee for the match.[14]
At SummerSlam, during the WWE Championship match between Samoa Joe and defending champion AJ Styles, Joe taunted Styles by disrespecting his wife and daughter, who were seated in the front row. An irate Styles attacked Joe with a steel chair, resulting in Joe winning by disqualification, but Styles retaining the title.[11] On the following SmackDown, Joe attacked Styles from behind during an interview, and continued to disrespect Styles' family.[15] On August 24, a title rematch was scheduled for Hell in a Cell.[16]
At SummerSlam, after the referee was incapacitated, The Miz attacked Daniel Bryan with a pair of brass knuckles handed by his wife, Maryse, who was seated in the front row. After the referee came back to his senses, Miz pinned Bryan to win the match.[11] On the following SmackDown, Miz and Maryse mocked Bryan's retirement speech from two years earlier. Bryan and his wife Brie Bella came out and confronted them. Bryan called Miz a coward for having to cheat to win and said that SmackDown General Manager Paige approved of a mixed tag team match pitting Bryan and Brie against Miz and Maryse at Hell in a Cell.[15]
On August 26, Paige scheduled two triple threat tag team matches, with the winners facing each other to determine who would face The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods) for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at Hell in a Cell.[17] Cesaro and Sheamus won the first triple threat match by defeating Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson and The Colóns (Primo and Epico) on the August 28 episode.[18] Rusev and Aiden English won the second triple threat match by defeating The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) and Sanity's Eric Young and Killian Dain on the September 4 episode,[19] thus setting up Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Rusev and English for the September 11 episode, which was won by Rusev and English.[20] The match was then scheduled for the Kickoff pre-show.[21]
At SummerSlam, Ronda Rousey defeated Alexa Bliss to win the Raw Women's Championship.[11] On the August 27 episode of Raw, Bliss announced that she would be invoking her championship rematch clause at Hell in a Cell.[13]
At Backlash, Jeff Hardy defeated Randy Orton to retain the United States Championship.[22] At Extreme Rules, after Hardy lost the United States Championship to Shinsuke Nakamura, Orton attacked Hardy.[23] Two days later on the July 17 episode of SmackDown, Hardy had a rematch with Nakamura, but it ended in a draw after Orton attacked Hardy.[24] The following week, Orton explained his attacks on Hardy by stating that he felt disrespected by the WWE Universe and hated how they were supportive of superstars like Hardy.[25] The next week, Orton launched a third attack on Hardy with assistance from Nakamura.[26] Hardy invoked his rematch clause at SummerSlam,[27] and would once again fail to regain the title. After the match, Orton came out while Hardy was incapacitated in the ring, only to turn back and walk away.[11] On the following episode of SmackDown, Orton and Hardy had a match that ended in disqualification after Hardy low-blowed Orton. Hardy then proceeded to attack Orton all around the arena and eventually spread in the crowd area. Hardy then executed a "Swanton Bomb" on Orton off the balcony through a table.[15] The following week, Hardy challenged Orton to a Hell in a Cell match at the namesake event, which Orton accepted.[18]
At SummerSlam, Charlotte Flair defeated Becky Lynch and defending champion Carmella in a triple threat match to capture the SmackDown Women's Championship. After the match, Lynch turned heel and attacked Flair.[11] Over the following weeks, Lynch and Flair confronted and attacked each other.[15][18] On the September 4 episode of SmackDown, a match between Lynch and Flair for the title was scheduled for Hell in a Cell.[19]
On the August 27 episode of Raw, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre lost to Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman via disqualification when they beat down Reigns, who was not legal. Strowman then sided with Ziggler and McIntyre, and also overpowered Reigns's Shield members, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.[13] The following week, Ziggler and McIntyre won the Raw Tag Team Championship.[28] After a successful title defense on the September 10 episode, Ziggler and McIntyre were scheduled to defend the titles against Ambrose and Rollins at Hell in a Cell.[14]
Event
[edit]Role: | Name: |
---|---|
English commentators | Michael Cole (Raw) |
Corey Graves (all matches) | |
Renee Young (Raw) | |
Tom Phillips (SmackDown) | |
Byron Saxton (SmackDown) | |
Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
Marcelo Rodríguez | |
German commentators | Carsten Schaefer |
Calvin Knie | |
Ring announcers | Greg Hamilton (SmackDown) |
JoJo (Raw) | |
Referees | Danilo Anfibio |
Jason Ayers | |
Shawn Bennett | |
Dan Engler | |
Mick Foley | |
Ryan Tran | |
Rod Zapata | |
Interviewers | Charly Caruso |
Kayla Braxton | |
Pre-show panel | Jonathan Coachman |
Paige | |
Booker T | |
Peter Rosenberg | |
David Otunga |
Pre-show
[edit]During the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show, The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) (accompanied by Xavier Woods) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Rusev Day (Rusev and Aiden English) (accompanied by Lana). In the climax, Kingston performed "Trouble in Paradise" on English to retain the titles.[29]
Preliminary matches
[edit]The actual pay-per-view opened with Jeff Hardy facing Randy Orton in a Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Orton threaded a screwdriver through Hardy's earlobe. Hardy would then counter with a low blow. Hardy performed a "Twist of Fate" on Orton, then placed a chair on him and performed a "Swanton Bomb" on Orton for a near-fall. In the climax, Hardy climbed a ladder and grabbed onto the top of the cell. Dangling from the cell, Hardy attempted a splash on Orton through a table, only for Orton to move, causing Hardy to crash through the table. Orton pinned Hardy to win the match.[1]
Next, Charlotte Flair defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Becky Lynch. In the climax, as Flair attempted a spear, Lynch countered and pinned Flair to win the title for a record tying second time. After the match, Flair offered a handshake, only for Lynch to refuse.[1]
After that, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. In the end, as Rollins had Ziggler up for the "Falcon Arrow", McIntyre performed a "Claymore Kick" on Rollins, and Ziggler fell on top of Rollins to pin him and retain the titles.[1]
In the fourth match, AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe. The closing moments saw Styles attempt a springboard only for Joe to counter into the "Coquina Clutch". Styles countered this into a pin, but during the pin, Styles submitted. The referee did not see Styles submit and counted the pinfall for Styles to controversially retain. After the match, an irate Joe attacked Styles as he felt he had won the match.[1]
Next, Daniel Bryan and his wife Brie Bella faced The Miz and his wife Maryse in a mixed tag team match. In the end, Maryse pinned Bella with a roll up whilst holding Bella's tights to win.[1]
In the penultimate match, Ronda Rousey (accompanied by Natalya) defended the Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss (accompanied by Mickie James and Alicia Fox). Throughout the match, Bliss focused on Rousey's injured ribs, but Rousey stayed in the fight. In the climax, when Bliss taunted Rousey, Rousey performed a gutwrench powerbomb and followed up with strikes in the corner. As Bliss went for a right hand, Rousey blocked and followed up with "Piper's Pit". Rousey forced Bliss to submit to an armbar to retain the title.[1]
Before the main event, SmackDown general manager Paige informed an enraged Samoa Joe backstage that he would get his rematch against AJ Styles for the WWE Championship in a No Disqualification, No Countout match at Super Show-Down.[1]
Main event
[edit]In the main event, Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman in a Hell in a Cell match with Mick Foley as the special guest referee, which was also Strowman's Money in the Bank cash-in match. During the match, Reigns performed two superman punches, but as he went for a third, Strowman intercepted him with a chokeslam for a nearfall. Reigns then performed a pop-up superman punch on Strowman for a nearfall. Reigns set up a table and ran around the ring, but Strowman knocked him out with the steel steps. Back inside the ring, Strowman bashed the steps in Reigns' midsection and performed a running powerslam on Reigns for a nearfall. As Strowman attempted a running powerslam on Reigns through the table, which was positioned in the corner, Reigns slipped out and followed up with two superman punches and a Spear on Strowman through the table for a nearfall. Afterwards, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre attempted to interfere, only for Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to intercept McIntyre and Ziggler. Atop the cell, Ziggler performed a superkick on Rollins. Ambrose struck McIntyre and Ziggler with a kendo stick. Rollins and Ziggler fell off the cell through the announce tables. In the climax, Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) made a surprise return. Lesnar kicked in the cell door while Heyman incapacitated Foley with pepper spray. Lesnar then attacked both Strowman and Reigns with broken pieces of a table and performed F-5s on each man before departing. A second referee came out and declared that Strowman and Reigns could not continue, resulting in a no-contest, thus Reigns retained the title. Strowman became the fourth person to fail in gaining a championship in their cash-in match, and the first to fail by a no-contest ruling.[1]
Aftermath
[edit]The 2018 event would be the only Hell in a Cell to take place in the month of September, as the following year's event returned Hell in a Cell to its regular October slot.[30] In 2021, however, the series was moved up to June until the event's discontinuation in 2023.[31]
Raw
[edit]The following night on Raw, Universal Champion Roman Reigns stated that Brock Lesnar was owed a rematch, but didn't think he'd do what he did at Hell in a Cell. Reigns called out Lesnar, but got Strowman instead. Strowman then stated that Lesnar was the reason that Reigns was still the champion. Afterwards, acting general manager Baron Corbin interrupted, and informed Reigns that he would be defending the title against Lesnar and Strowman in a triple threat match at Crown Jewel. However, Corbin noted how banged up Reigns was from Hell in a Cell, and earned himself a title match against Reigns, which was scheduled for that episode's main event. The match initially ended in a disqualification win for Reigns after Corbin struck him with a chair, only for Corbin to restart the match under no disqualification rules. Strowman and Raw Tag Team Champions Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler tried to interfere, only for Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to intercept them and allow Reigns to pin Corbin to retain.[32] The animosity between the two teams continued to heat up, and at Super Show-Down, The Shield (Reigns, Ambrose, and Rollins) defeated Strowman, McIntyre, and Ziggler.[33] On the October 22 episode, however, Reigns announced that his leukemia, which had been in remission since late 2008, had legitimately relapsed. This turned the scheduled triple threat match into a singles match between Lesnar and Strowman for the vacant title. Later that night, Rollins and Ambrose faced McIntyre and Ziggler in a rematch for the Raw Tag Team Championship, where Rollins and Ambrose were victorious. Afterwards, Ambrose turned on Rollins.[34]
Also on Raw, after Drew McIntyre defeated Dean Ambrose, Baron Corbin asked Dolph Ziggler if he would be invoking his championship rematch clause against Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins. If Rollins was unable to compete, he would have been stripped of the title, which would have been awarded to Ziggler. Rollins did show up, and retained against Ziggler.[32]
SmackDown
[edit]On SmackDown, new SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch talked about her win over Charlotte Flair. Flair interrupted to pay her respect to Lynch, but told her that she paid a big price by throwing away their friendship, and hyped their rematch at Super Show-Down. After they talked trash, they engaged in a brawl, with Lynch standing tall in the end.[35]
Also on SmackDown, The Miz revealed that he would be facing Daniel Bryan in a rematch from SummerSlam at Super Show-Down, where the winner would be the new number one contender for the WWE Championship. The two then brawled, with Bryan accidentally sending The Miz into his wife, Maryse, before calling him a "coward".[35]
Rusev told Aiden English backstage that he didn't need him for the United States Championship match. Later that night, during the match, English distracted Rusev, costing him the match. Afterwards, English turned on Rusev.[35]
Following WWE Champion AJ Styles' win over Andrade "Cien" Almas, Samoa Joe attacked Styles, resulting in a brawl which ended with Joe poking Styles in the eye, furthering the heat between Styles and Joe heading into their rematch at Super Show-Down.[35]
Results
[edit]References
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