Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch – Raw Women’s Championship match

Background: At WrestleMania 38, Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch to win the Raw Women’s Championship On the April 25 episode of Raw, Lynch wanted a rematch, but Asuka interrupted, making a surprise return after nine months of inactivity due to injury. WWE official Adam Pearce gave Asuka a chance to face Belair in a championship contender’s match on the May 9 episode; however, the match ended in a no contest after Lynch attacked both competitors. The following week, Asuka defeated Lynch to earn the right to face Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell. On the May 23 episode, Lynch was given another chance to face Asuka with the added stipulation that if Lynch won, she would be added to the championship match at Hell in a Cell. Lynch defeated Asuka, turning the bout into a triple threat match.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time triple threat match between these three girls.

Hell In A Cell PPV Record: Bianca is 1-0, Asuka is 1-0 and Becky is 2-0.

Match: It’s a fast start to the match as Asuka and Bianca dispose of Bianca and then turn their attention to each other. Asuka is dominant in the early stages of the match. Belair attempts a KOD early but Asuka counters into an armbar which Bianca gets out of. Becky then takes control, going after both opponents. It’s Becky and Bianca paired off for a while with Lynch in control. She hits a Bex-ploder and then takes the fight to the outside. Becky hits a legdrop off the top on Bianca for a near fall. Asuka then lays into Becky at a frenetic pace. Becky looks for an armbar on Asuka but Bianca breaks it up. Becky counters a KOD attempt but Bianca hits a big stalling suplex. It’s finally Bianca’s time to shine and she takes control against both of her challengers. Asuka hits codebreakers on both opponents and then a hip attack on both for two near falls. Asuka applies ankle locks to Becky and Bianca at the same time but they get out.

Becky attempts an armbar on Bianca but she’s left herself open for a KOD which Bianca tries but can’t hit. Becky hits a manhandle slam on Bianca but Asuka breaks up the pinfall that follows. There’s plenty of roll-ups as the girls get desperate to win. Asuka then applies the Asuka lock on Becky but Becky rolls out of it. Lynch hits the manhandle slam on Asuka but Bianca throws Becky out of the ring and pins Asuka for the win!

Result: Bianca Belair retains the Raw Women’s Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a really good match. The perfect way to open the show. The chemistry was good, the pace was really good and the psychology was spot on. Bianca wins the match and retains the championship but this match leaves it wide open for another match between Bianca and Becky down the line. One of the all time great matches tonight.

Rating: 8.75/10

Bobby Lashley vs. Omos & MVP

Background: At WrestleMania 38, Bobby Lashley defeated Omos. The following night on Raw, Lashley’s manager, MVP, turned on Lashley and aligned with Omos, who then defeated Lashley at WrestleMania Backlash with the help of MVP. On the May 16 episode of Raw, Lashley defeated Omos again, this time in a Steel Cage match when Omos threw Lashley through the cage allowing him to win by walking out of the cage. The following week, with Lashley wanting to put an end to their rivalry, he challenged MVP to a match where the winner would choose the stipulation of his match against Omos at Hell in a Cell. With the help of Omos, MVP defeated Lashley by countout. Omos and MVP decided that the stipulation at Hell in a Cell would be a 2-on-1 handicap match with Omos and MVP facing Lashley.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time handicap match involving these three men.

Hell In A Cell PPV Record: Bobby Lashley is 2-0, Omos and MVP wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: MVP starts the match for his team but immediately tags out to Omos. Omos uses his superior power in the early going but Lashley fires back with right hands. MVP grabs Bobby’s leg which allows Omos to take control. MVP tags in with Lashley down and lays in some right hands. Lashley disposes of MVP but Omos tags back in and hits an inverted suplex and splashes in the corner. MVP tags himself in and hits a running boot, sending Lashley to the outside. Omos then hits a running charge, sending Bobby through the barricade. Back in the ring and Lashley manages to hit a spear on MVP but Omos charges into the ring. Cedric Alexander then shows up but Omos disposes of him. Lashley spears Omos, avoids a boot from MVP and then applies the hurt lock and MVP taps out! After the match Lashley finds a WWE replica title and shouts that he will be champion again.

Result: Bobby Lashley wins by submission.

Review: This was a decent enough match. I enjoyed it to be honest, the chaos was fun and again the psychology was spot on. I like Cedric Alexander getting involved as he’s a hell of a talent and deserved more screen time. Bobby Lashley wins tonight though which I think will be the end of this rivalry.

Rating: 6/10

Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel

Background: “Ezekiel” showed on the Raw after Wrestlemania, a new superstar claiming to be the brother of Elias. Kevin Owens knew straight away that “Ezekiel” is actually Elias but despite lie detector tests, it appears Ezekiel is not Elias. Tonight the two men meet one on one.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men.

Hell In A Cell PPV Record: Kevin Owens is 3-1 at Hell In A Cell events, Elias/Ezekiel is 1-0.

Match: The bell rings, Ezekiel hits a big knee to the face and then a flying elbow drop for a near fall. The fight goes to the outside where Ezekiel throws Owens into the announce desk but KO takes control, throwing Ezekiel into the ringpost. Ezekiel is busted open now. Back in the ring and Owens hits a DDT and a moonsault. It’s all Owens as he continues the assault whilst shouting that his opponent is Elias. KO hits a tornado DDT for a near fall and then looks for a senton bomb but Ezekiel gets his knees up. Ezekiel fires up, hits some big splashes in the corner and a spinebuster for a near fall. Owens hits a pop-up powerbomb out of nowhere and only gets a near fall. Ezekiel counters a stunner and heads up top but Owens crotches him. KO hits a cannonball and a stunner for the win.

Result: Kevin Owens wins by pinfall.

Review: This was an alright match, nothing spectacular here. Kevin Owens got the win which surprised me a little bit. I guess this may be the end of this rivalry. Will Ezekiel go back to being Elias? Kevin Owens could do with a big rivalry following this one. Cody Rhodes would have been perfect but we’ll have to see how bad this injury is.

Rating: 5/10

Finn Balor, AJ Styles & Liv Morgan vs. The Judgment Day (Edge, Damien Priest & Rhea Ripley) – Mixed six person tag team match

Background: AJ Styles has had his problems with Edge since before Wrestlemania, Edge has recruited Damien Priest, who has had issues with Finn Balor, and Rhea Ripley who recently turned on her tag team partner Liv Morgan. This has led to a six person tag team match between these two teams.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time six person tag team match involving these six wrestlers.

Hell In A Cell PPV Record: AJ Styles is 1-2, Edge is 1-0, Rhea Ripley is 0-1. Finn Balor, Liv Morgan and Damien Priest wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley kick off the match but all six wrestlers go at it. Liv then officially starts the match against Ripley. Morgan takes control early until she runs into Ripley’s head. It’s all Rhea from here, she dominates the smaller Morgan. Rhea tags out to Edge and Liv tags in AJ Styles. Damien Priest tags in but some awesome athleticism from Styles gives his team the advantage. Balor tags in but it’s not long before a distraction from Edge gives Priest the advantage. There’s quick tags between Edge and Damien Priest as they lay into Finn Balor. Finn hits an overhead kick on Damien Priest and both men are down. Priest tags Edge and Balor makes the hot tag to Edge. Edge has definitely had the better of Styles in their rivalry. AJ calls for a phenomenal forearm and hits Edge with it but Priest breaks up the pinfall attempt.

Rhea and Liv tag in and they pick up the pace. Rhea hits a suplex and a suplex for a near fall. Balor tags in and it causes everyone to get involved. The Judgment Day get taken out courtesy of suicide dives and Finn heads to the top but Rhea crotches him. Damien hits Balor with a chokeslam but AJ hits Priest with a phenomenal forearm. Edge disposes of Styles and then looks for a spear on Balor but Finn counters. Finn hits a running dropkick and sets up for a coup de gras but Ripley stands in the way. Liv Morgan gets rid of Rhea, Finn jumps off the top but Edge avoids him and hits a spear for the win!

Result: The Judgment Day win by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent enough six person tag team match and I think the right team got the win. Edge has beaten Styles at every point during this feud so they probably need to move it on.

Rating: 6/10

Madcap Moss vs. Happy Corbin

Background: After Happy Corbin threw Madcap Moss to the side, Moss beat Corbin at Wrestlemania Backlash. Corbin would then send Moss to the hospital after an attack with a chair. Moss would come back in an ambulance and attack Corbin with weapons. Adam Pearce then made the match for Hell In A Cell a no holds barred match.

Previous PPV matches: This is a second PPV match between these two men, Moss beat Corbin at Wrestlemania Backlash.

Hell In A Cell PPV Record: Happy Corbin is 1-1, Madcap Moss wrestles at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Madcap Moss takes the early advantage, and takes the fight up the entrance way where Corbin throws Moss into the set. Corbin launches Moss over the announce desk but Madcap throws a big commentary chair at him. It’s a back and forth match with long stretches on the outside. Happy lays into Madcap with a chair but Moss hits a drop tow hold onto the chair. Corbin hits deep six and goes back to work with a chair. Moss finally grabs a chair and lays into Corbin with it before hitting a DDT onto it. On the outside Corbin hits a chop block snd then puts a chair around Madcap’s neck and throws him into the announce desk. Happy lays some steps in the corner of the ring but Madcap scoops up Corbin and hits a fallaway slam into the steps! Moss hits a punchline and then puts a chair around the neck of Corbin before dropping the steps on the chair! Madcap pins Corbin and gets the 3!

Result: Madcap Moss wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent enough match. I don’t think there’s a lot of steam behind this rivalry and I’d be happy if it was over now. Madcap Moss is a potential star of the future and he’s getting a good push at the moment. Corbin is very much a midcard heel and he does his job well.

Rating: 5.5/10

Theory (c) vs. Mustafa Ali – United States Championship match

Background: Mustafa Ali recently returned to WWE and after receiving a title shot against Theory, the United States Champion would attack Ali. Vince McMahon would then make a fair match between the two for Hell In A Cell.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men.

Hell In A Cell PPV Record: Mustafa Ali is 0-1 at Hell In A Cell events, Theory wrestles at this show for the first time tonight.

Match: Mustafa Ali starts the match with some nice arm drags and a hurricanrana. Theory keeps leaving the ring. Ali flies to the outside, hitting a big cross body off the top. Theory hits a back drops into the ring post and takes the advantage. Theory hits a fallaway slam for a two count. The two men go to the top and Theory pushes Ali off, Ali does a backflip, landing on his feet and attempts a kick as Theory flies down. Theory hits a springboard Spanish fly on Ali off the top. Mustafa counters Theory’s finisher and locks on an STF but Theory gets to the bottom rope to break it. Ali hits a tilt-a-whirl DDT and then looks for a 630 splash but Theory moves. Theory then hits a chop block and a-town down for the win.

Result: Theory retains the United States Championship by pinfall.

Review: This match was ok. The crowd seemed a little flat for it which was surprising. Theory halts the momentum of a returning Mustafa Ali but it’s clear to see who the brass think is the future of the company. Theory retains tonight and his push continues.

Rating: 4.5/10

Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins – Hell In A Cell match

Background: After defeating Seth “Freakin” Rollins at both WrestleMania 38 and WrestleMania Backlash, Cody Rhodes was granted a United States Championship match against Theory on the May 9 episode of Raw. However, during the match, Rollins attacked Rhodes, costing Rhodes the title. The following week, Rhodes challenged Rollins to another match, this time inside Hell in a Cell, which Rollins accepted.

Previous PPV matches: This is the third PPV match between these two men, Cody Rhodes won the previous two.

Hell In A Cell PPV Record: Seth Rollins is 3-3-1, Cody Rhodes is 4-1.

Match: Seth Rollins walks out in Dusty Rhodes-esque polka dots. Cody Rhodes removes his jacket to show massive bruising over his pectoral and down his arm. Ouch. Cody starts the match well despite having only one arm. He hits a disaster kick and a Cody cutter but Seth counters cross-Rhodes. Cody then applies a figure four but Seth crawls to the ropes and grabs a kendo stick from under the ring before smashing Rhodes with it to break the hold. Seth then goes to town with the kendo stick and it’s all Rollins from here. Rollins takes it to Cody on the outside and then hits him with the ring steps. Rollins then puts on Cody’s jacket and pulls out a leather polda-dot weight belt and whips Rhodes with it. Rollins slides a table into the ring and sets it up before laying Rhodes on it, going to the top and flying off but Cody moves out of the way and Seth crashes through the table.

Cody Rhodes pulls a bull rope out from under the ring. Rhodes ties the bullrope around his wrist and offers Rollins the other end and Seth accepts! Cody crotches Seth with the rope and then hits a superkick before smashing Rollins with the bell for a near fall. Rollins repeatedly pulls Cody into the ringpost and then sets up another table in the ring. Before he can do anything Rhodes hits Cross-Rhodes for a near fall. Rollins powerbombs Rhodes through the table and gets a near fall. Seth grabs a sledgehammer and looks for a pedigree but Cody counters and hits a pedigree of his own for a near fall. Seth hits a stomp for another near fall. Cody avoids a second stomps and looks for Cross-Rhodes but Rollins counters and hits Cross-Rhodes of his own! Cody then rolls through and hits Cross-Rhodes himself. Rhodes then picks up the sledgehammer and smashes Rollins in the face with it before pinning Seth for the three!

Result: Cody Rhodes wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a fantastic match. The fact that Cody Rhodes fought such a match with the injury he has is astonishing. I honestly thought Seth Rollins would win this match and Cody would have had the excuse for losing but the fact that he won just makes him look like an absolute beast. A great match between these two men and probably the last time we will see Cody for a while.

Rating: 9.5/10