Kick-Off Show
The Hell In A Cell 2018 Kick-Off Show begins with the panel of Johnathon Coachman, Paige, Booker T, and Peter Rosenberg. Coach has replaced Renee Young, as she’s now on the Raw commentary team. The panel discuss the hell the Superstars will go through tonight. Booker says he wakes up every morning at 9 and he feels great, and it’s because he never took part in a match like this.
We see a video package for Becky Lynch Vs. Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Paige says she’s never seen Becky like this and she will give Charlotte the match of her life tonight. Rosenberg says Becky needs this title to reinvigorate herself. Booker says Charlotte is goodt but she’ll have to be very good tonight.
Next up is the mixed-tag match is Daniel Bryan, Brie Bella, The Miz, and Maryse. Reosenberg says this is one of the longest running rivalries in WWE and fans are excited to see it culminate. Booker says Bryan might be too angry with The Miz. Booker says he thinks The Miz will continue his excellent year, as does Coach. While Paige and Rosenberg think the Bryan’s will take it.
David Otunga has joined the panel to discuss Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy. He talks about Jeff sticking his finger in the ear and he’s gone to that dark place. Paige announces that this match will open the PPV tonight. Rosenberg says the reason we love WWE is because we get dream matches like this. He then says Randy can’t prepare for someone like Jeff Hardy, because he doesn’t have fear. Coach thanks Paige for the announcement and turns attentions.
It’s time to talk about the WWE Championship. We see Samoa Joe’s nursery rhyme promo that covers the whole rivalry. Otunga likens this feud to the Eminem/MGK rivalry, as it’s personal about families and whatnot. Rosenberg says AJ got too emotional at SummerSlam, which could cause him again. Otunga asks if AJ is fighting for his title, or his family. Coach says that’s the brilliance of Samoa Joe’s mind games.
Next up for discussion is Alexa Bliss challenging Ronda Rousey for the Women’s Championship. Alexa appears in a split-screen interview. Coach asks her how she feels about Ronda saying she is the best. Bliss says Ronda has a huge ego and probably thinks she is the best at eating cereal and the best at turning oxygen into carbon dioxide. Paige asks Alexa how she plans on beating her. Alexa makes fun of Paige and says she left Ronda in agony last week. And the headlines will read “Ronda Rousey loses her first title defence”. Otunga goes to ask a question but Alexa says no and walks off.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
(C) The New Day Vs. Rusev & Aiden English
Kofi Kingston starts the match with Aiden English. Kofi is forced to the corner but hits English with a rolling kick, followed by a leaping stomp. English tags Rusev into the match. Rusev slams Kofi into the corner and unleashes some thrusts.
Rusev catches Kofi as he springboards off of the ropes, hits him with some knees, then lands a fallaway slam. Rusev tags English back in and he beats on Kofi in the corner. Rusev comes back in and whips English into Kofi in the corner. Rusev grounds Kofi with a front headlock. Kofi fights to his feet but Rusev shoves him to the corner and unleashes some right hands. He lifts Kofi onto the top rope but Kingston catches the Bulgarian with a tornado DDT! Kofi and Rusev both make tags.
Big E catches English with a belly-to-belly suplexes, followed by two more. E lands a running splash but Rusev returns to the fray and takes out Big E with a spin kick. Kofi returns but gets taken out with a back body drop by Rusev. Big E runs at Rusev but gets caught with a head kick for a near-fall. Rusev takes to the corner and runs for the Machka Kick, but E avoids it. Big E throws Rusev over the top rope, English makes the blind tag, then E spears Rusev through the ropes. English then flips over the top rope onto Big E. English gets him back into the ring and hits his facebuster DDT for a near-fall.
Kofi tags back in and hits a double team double stomp to English for a near-fall. English throws Kofi over the top rope and Rusev hits him with a kick on his way down. Rusev gets him back in the ring and hits a diving headbutt, and English follows-up with a splash for a near-fall. English then applies The Accolade to Kofi Kingston. Big E runs into make the save but Rusev superkicks him. Kofi starts to fight out, so Rusev runs in but gets immediately tossed out of the ring by Kingston. English then hits the ropes and Kofi catches him with Trouble In Paradise for the win!
Winner: The New Day
Mick Foley is interviewed by Mike Rome as special guest referee. Rome asks how emotional this night is for Foley. He says very emotional, especially when he walked out there and saw the cell. He says there’s been a few nights in the past 20 years when he woke up in a cold sweat because it. However, tonight is about Corbin walks up and welcomes Foley to Hell In A Cell. Corbin says he appreciates Foley being ready to go so early. Mick offers Corbin some advice but he doesn’t want it.
The final match up for discussion is the main event, Universal Championship match between Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns. The panel don’t get anytime to discuss it after the video, so it’s time for the main card!
