Kick-Off Show
The WWE Hell In A Cell 2017 pre-show opens with the panel of David Otunga, Peter Rosenberg, and hosted by Renee Young. We go backstage to the Social Media Lounge with Kayla Braxton, who will be joined later by Charlotte. We get a shot of the cell hanging ominously above the ring.
BEHOLD! The unforgiving structure known as #HellInACell hangs high above @LCArena_Detroit as the #HIAC Kickoff starts NOW on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/oRMCS9T9Zl
— WWE (@WWE) October 8, 2017
The panel have brief talks about tonight’s card and what it means to certain stars but nothing worth mentioning. We go backstage and see Daniel Bryan with Tye Dillinger – DB is wearing a pink zip sweater. Tye says that he had an idea; putting him into the United States Title match tonight would make it a 10. They banter back and forth about the difference between a 10 hand symbol, and the yes chant, and eventually Bryan agrees to put him in the match and make it a Triple Threat. The two chant “Yes” and “10” back and forth as we head back to the panel – Bryan was practically screaming 10 and it was great.
“TEN! YES! TEN YES!” @WWEDillinger has OFFICIALLY been added to tonight’s #USTitle match, LIVE on @WWENetwork! #HIAC @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/Z9tBF1bzad
— WWE (@WWE) October 8, 2017
The panel discuss Shinsuke Nakamura and Jinder Mahal after seeing a promo for the upcoming Championship match. They agree that Jinder Mahal has proved himself to be a horrible human being, someone with no likeable attributes. They say that tonight wil be all about the numbers game and whether or not Nakamura can overcome the odds that The Singh Brothers present.
The panel start to talk about Rusev Vs. Randy Orton but Aiden English appears and is about to sing but the WWE Universe chants his name, so he bows and takes a seat. English is asked about his relationship with Rusev and he says that they have a deep bond because he is a man of culture, someone who understands what makes a man like Rusev tick. He says that’s something the likes of Randy Orton could never understand. He ends his stint with the panel by singing a song that claims Rusev will have his hand raised at the end of the night.
It’s time for an interview with Charlotte in the Social Media Lounge. The first question posed to Charlotte, asks if she is aware that if she wins tonight she will become the first woman to hold the NXT, Diva’s, Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships. Charlotte says she is aware and that has been a goal of hers: to be the first to unite all of the titles. Next Charlotte is asked what her strategy is against Natalya tonight, to which Charlotte says she beat Nattie to become the NXT Champion, the Diva’s Champion, and the Raw Women’s Champion, but with every match Natalya learned what she was good at and now she knows her much better. The next question asks Charlotte about the threat of Carmella, and she says that she is good on the fly and she won’t worry about that until it’s an issue. Lastly, Charlotte signs off by saying “Flair’s are always better than Hart’s”. The panel briefly talk about the match. Otunga says, in regards to Charlotte, you know that you’ve made it when your idol becomes your rival. Rosenberg says that Nattie does not want to let go of the title and that her career is really taking off right now. Otunga says that Nattie forgot her food and her luggage, she was so busy clutching the title on the night that she won it. Rosenberg claims that this match will be a classic and claims Charlotte will win, whereas Otunga says that Nattie will do anything to retain.
“Flairs are always better than the Harts.” – @MsCharlotteWWE #HIAC @WWENetwork @NatByNature pic.twitter.com/LMyvkkJLkW
— WWE (@WWE) October 8, 2017
Baron Corbin is interviewed backstage and he is very upset that Tye Dillinger has been added to the US Championship match tonight. He says that Tye got inserted into this match because he and Bryan are friends, no other reason. He says it won’t be a fluke tonight when he breaks both Dillinger and Styles. The panel say that Corbin has every right to be angry about the match being changed and then we head ringside for some tag team action.
The Hype Bro’s Vs. Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable
We start the match with Chad Gable and Mojo Rawley. Gable gets Rawley in an armbar and tags Benjamin, who attacks Rawley and then tags Gable back in.
After some holds, Gable rolls Rawley up for a two count but gets taken out with a running crossbody by Moho. Zack Ryder tags-in and splashes Gable from the apron. A facebuster from Ryder, then he misses a dropkick and Gable rolls him up for a two count. Shelton Benjamin tags in and circles the ring with also former Intercontinental Champion Zack Ryder.
The two lock-up and Benjamin gets Ryder in a headlock. Benjamin takes Ryder to the mat, before being pushes off and responding with a shoulder tackle. After a few reversals, the two exchange pin attempts before separating and smiling at each other. Ryder runs at Benjamin and eats a huge spinebuster, then Shelton kicks Zack from the ring and we go to a commercial.
We return to see Chad Gable hit a suplex into a pin bridge but Ryder kicks-out. Benjamin tags back into the match and grounds Ryder with an armlock. Rawley gets the crowd chanting and Ryder starts to make a comeback but gets lifted and slammed by Benjamin. Gable returns to the fray and pounds on Ryder in the corner after being hit with a hard right. The commentators talk about Gable’s renewed aggression. Benjamin tags in and takes Zack Ryder to the top rope. Shelton looks for a suplex but gets knocked down, and then Ryder hits a missile dropkick to create some distance.
Both Gable and Rawley get tagged in and Mojo runs riot on Gable. Rawley with splashes in the corner before catching Chad Gable and landing a tilt-a-whirl slam for a near-fall. Rawley misses a slam in the corner and Gable goes for an unsuccessful roll-up. Gable takes to the top rope and jumps for a moonsault but Rawley rolls away and Gable lands on his feet. Gable hits a belly-to-belly slam and then goes to the top and hits a moonsault for a two-count.
.@WWEGable JUST DID THAT! #HIAC pic.twitter.com/SB2vukbC0k
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 8, 2017
Gable and Benjamin hit a double-team sidewalk slam and Gable knocks Ryder from the apron but Mojo kicks out. Shelton tees off on Rawley but that just fires him up and he beats on Benjamin before Ryder hits the Hype Ryder but it’s not enough. Benjamin lifts Ryder up in a powerbomb position and Gable jumps from the top rope and they double-team Ryder to the mat for the win!
Winners: Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable
The panel discuss the match briefly, and talk about how impressive Gable and Benjamin have been. They wonder what the limit is for this team and where The Hype Bro’s go from here.
We get a lengthy promo for the rivalry between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon. The panel says that Shane McMahon is a furious man with a motive. Rosenberg mentions that it’s 20 years since the first Hell In A Cell with Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, and just a year later Mankind provided one of the craziest moments of all time. He says after tonight you will always remember where you were when you witnessed Owens Vs. McMahon.
That’s it or the pre-show and we’re about to go live as the cell lowers around the ring!
