Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.

This week, Dallas Allsopp, Robert DeFelice and Matt Morgan preview the 2020 edition of WWE Hell in a Cell.

WWE Hell in a Cell will feature three different Cell matches this year, with each match feeling appropriate for the stipulation. Who will end the night as WWE Champion? Does Roman Reigns vs Jey Uso need the additional I Quit stipulation? And can Sasha Banks finally impose herself on WWE with a dominant title reign?


ALLSOPP: I cannot see past Drew McIntyre. He needs to have a full year reign, whereas the inevitable Randy Orton vs Edge match at WrestleMania 37 does not need the WWE Championship. A dominant win for McIntyre at Hell in a Cell would cement his status as the top guy on Raw. I do think this will be the end of their feud, mainly due to the fact that a feud with Sheamus seems likely. Not only do they have history, it would be the perfect feud to tide over the WWE Championship scene until the Royal Rumble.

DeFELICE: Randy Orton should have won this belt two months ago at SummerSlam. This is not a knock on Drew McIntyre or his reign as WWE Champion, which will always go down as the most unique WWE Championship run in history, but Orton is on a roll. I think in order for a babyface, whether they are named Edge or not, to come out of the WrestleMania 37 main event as WWE Champion, a strong heel needs to go into that match as champion. Whilst Roman Reigns is a very strong heel on SmackDown, I see no reason that WrestleMania can't have two strong protagonists overcoming two villainous champions.

On the flip side, McIntyre has a wealth of heels to face on Monday nights coming out of the Draft, and should Survivor Series in fact see Raw vs SmackDown, then Roman Reigns will need to face a strong protagonist. And who is a stronger protagonist than the man who defeated Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman's other client, in the main event of WrestleMania 36. My prediction: McIntyre wins.

MORGAN: Randy Orton will win the WWE Championship this Sunday. I love Drew McIntyre’s comeback story, whilst he is an incredible champion who has earned his current spot. However, this situation with Orton and Edge reminds me of the Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels feud from 2008. Michaels and Jericho did not need to fight over the World Heavyweight Championship to develop their feud. Yet the company put the title on Jericho regardless. I have a feeling WWE will follow a similar formula with Orton and Edge in order to develop their feud, therefore Orton will win the title at Hell in a Cell.


DeFELICE: “A hat on a hat.” That is how Jim Cornette described this match’s stipulation. Normally, I would be 100% in agreement, but I think that this gives them a chance to tell a fantastic story that emphasizes the ruthlessness of the new Roman Reigns. I think we all know Jey Uso doesn't stand a chance in this match, but it will be a damn fun ride. Reigns retains.

MORGAN: One thing that the debacle between Seth Rollins and The Fiend taught us is that even if a match is taking place inside Hell in a Cell, something can still happen where WWE will give the audience a false finish. For that alone, it’s not unnecessary to have an extra rule for this match. Beyond that, the additional I Quit stipulation allows Roman Reigns and Jey Uso to continue the excellent story that they told at Clash of Champions. To further establish Reigns' new persona, it could be effective for him to use a strap or kendo stick to demolish Uso whilst he is rendered defenseless. That way, Uso would have no choice but to scream out “I Quit” whilst he is in searing pain. A finish like this strongly demonstrates that Reigns is a ruthless, aggressive, and unforgiving champion.

ALLSOPP: I would usually say it is overkill to add the I Quit stipulation to a Hell in a Cell match, however this is the perfect feud to feature it. Roman Reigns is the most compelling wrestler in WWE at the moment, therefore witnessing him destroy Jey Uso to the point he has to scream he quits is a tantalising prospect. I think it would be highly effective to have Reigns hang Uso from the Cell, leaving him choking to the point that his declaration of quitting is almost inaudible. That would underline how much Reigns means business.


MORGAN: I am hoping that Bayley wins this matchup, simply because I want this feud to continue. It seems way too soon to end the program between Bayley and Sasha Banks considering how much effort has gone into building the feud between the two. Even if Banks won, her SmackDown Women’s Championship reign would not be the last chance for her to have a long and meaningful run as a champion. Banks is one of the most consistent and reliable performers throughout the entire women’s division. She is a star who is constantly featured. Banks will absolutely win more titles before her time in WWE is over, and if this upcoming reign isn’t the longest, that doesn’t mean she will never have a long run as champion. Banks will have plenty of other opportunities to have a championship run that lasts longer than one title defense.

ALLSOPP: I want Sasha Banks to come out on top here. Not only does it make sense from a storyline perspective, but it needs to happen to validate her presence in the SmackDown Women's Championship scene. She has failed to defend her title on so many occasions that she needs to have a solid reign, which I think she can achieve by toppling Bayley. Otherwise, she would lack that killer edge to make her believable. Please WWE, DO NOT bring Charlotte Flair back to SmackDown if Banks is champion. Please!

DeFELICE: I think it is a very big stretch to say this is Sasha Banks’ final opportunity to experience a meaningful championship reign. I must say, I am disappointed at how quickly they rushed the explosion and blow-off match for this rivalry after engaging in a cold war for the last three years with these two competitors. This is the match I am undoubtedly looking forward to the most, and it's only right that Banks win this rivalry. However, with a barebones women's roster on the blue brand, I'm not certain that Banks as champion makes the most sense right now. Due to the promotion for the Mandalorian series, I think Banks stands a chance. My prediction is a Banks victory.