Hell in A Cell has long represented one of the most brutal match types in all of WWE since its debut in 1998. Think Foley vs The Undertaker at King of The Ring 1998, no one can forget such a violent and death-defying match. This year, Hell in A Cell is taking place in the WWE ThunderDome. For the first time, the PPV will take place without its biggest asset, a live crowd. Because the reactions of the fans, the fear in their eyes, their shouts, have become a major part of the Cell legacy.

With the WWE Draft and the current pandemic context, the company more or less put the PPV aside, focusing on the rebuilding of the shows rosters. As Friday Night SmackDown went off-air, five matches have been confirmed for the show, and three of them will take place inside the so-called metal structure and promise to be violent encounters. That’s a lot of cell for one night, and we will see if they can be different enough from each other to keep fans entertained for a full three hours.

Note: Predictions are purely that, predictions. None of us has heard of anything before, we promise.

The Winner Gets the Money In The Bank Contract
The Miz w/ John Morrison vs Otis w/ Tucker

2020 has been strange in a number of ways, so in that regard, Otis winning Money in the Bank may be par for the course – even if he isn’t the blueprint for what a contract holder is usually like. We’re more accustomed to seeing Otis in comedy skits rather than threatening to break that glass ceiling into the main event picture. This ongoing feud between the Miz and Otis was finally settled in a parody of Law & Order, with JBL playing the role of the Judge. The implications to this match are potentially huge, as a Miz win would take the contract to RAW, where Drew McIntyre would be the one who’s title reign could be in jeopardy. We don’t often see the WWE present the MITB contract in the manner where it’s defended like a Championship. The most notable time is in 2007 when Edge won the contract from Mr Kennedy. Are we about to see history repeat itself?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Otis

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: The Miz

Jeff Hardy vs Elias

There can always be a messy period post-Draft when storylines from one show carry over to another. This feud dates back to the end of May when Jeff Hardy and Elias were competing in the tournament on SmackDown to crown a new Intercontinental Champion. Both men were attacked in the parking lot of the Performance Center (seemingly by Sheamus) taking them out of the tournament and that was the last we saw of Elias until last week. Well, Elias seems to still believe he was attacked by Jeff Hardy and wants revenge. Oh, but he decided to prioritise recording a new album (set for release on Monday) before coming back to wrestling.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Elias – I think this feud goes a little further so maybe Elias steals a win here. This could certainly be entertaining over the coming weeks when Jeff Hardy is musically creative too. Symphony of Destruction, anyone?

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Jeff Hardy

SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in A Cell Match
Bayley (c) vs Sasha Banks

There will be nowhere to hide when former best friends Bayley and Sasha Banks meet in a SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell Match. Two Beltz Banks and Bayley Dos Straps were on top of the world as “The Golden Role Models” of WWE this summer. Then a string of losses over SummerSlam weekend derailed their dominance. Bayley still holds her precious SmackDown Women’s Title, but she lost her best friend in the process.

After failing to regain the Women’s Tag Team Titles, Bayley crushed Banks with a ruthless steel chair attack. Another steel chair attack from Bayley enraged an injured Banks enough to return the favour at WWE Clash of Champions. Bayley has remained one step ahead of the competition during her historic reign, but Banks brings extra motivation into their upcoming clash. The Boss battled back from injury to return to the ring, but the SmackDown Women’s Champion resorted to a quick disqualification to keep her title in their most recent showdown.

If Sasha Banks will enter the Cell for the third time, she came up short against the inaugural Women’s Cell match against Charlotte Flair and last year against Becky Lynch. When it comes to Bayley, it will the first time she enters the structure and this world of violence should perfectly fit her and make unleash more hate against her former best friend.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Sasha Banks – This feud has gone on a long time. Bayley’s broken all the records when it comes to Women’s Championship reigns, now it’s time for a new chapter. Bayley has made a habit of bending the rules and escaping matches with her title, but she may struggle to do that inside the Cell, whereas Sasha has experience with this stipulation.

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Bayley

WWE Championship Hell In A Cell Match
Drew McIntyre (c) vs Randy Orton

There will be no escaping Randy Orton’s reign of terror at Hell in a Cell, and that’s exactly the way WWE Champion Drew McIntyre wants it. The two titans will clash in a WWE Championship Hell in a Cell Match, as the cage lowers for the third instalment of their rivalry. McIntyre outlasted Orton in a brutal showdown at SummerSlam with a crafty backslide to seal the win. The Viper continued his reign of terror with targeted kicks to the skull of McIntyre that put the champion’s immediate in-ring future in doubt.

The ghosts of Orton’s past caught up to him at Clash of Champions, as Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Ric Flair and Christian got involved in an Ambulance Match, which was won by McIntyre. The defeat did nothing to humble the brash Superstar, as Orton went into disguise to launch one more attack on the four Legends of sports-entertainment on RAW. McIntyre came calling to return the favour and issue Orton a challenge he couldn’t possibly escape at Hell in a Cell. May the most devilish win…

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Drew McIntyre

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Drew McIntyre

WWE Universal Championship Hell In A Cell “I Quit” Match 
Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman (c) vs Jey Uso

The Tribal Chief continues his quest for dominance over on the Blue brand and his first port of call has been ensuring his own family are kept in line. In their initial match at Clash of Champions, Roman had his cousin well and truly beat from the opening bell. It was only Jey’s refusal to acknowledge Roman as the Tribal Chief that kept the match going for as long as it did. And it’s the refusal of acknowledgement that sticks like a thorn in the paw of the Big Dog. Roman Reigns has gifted Jey another shot for the Universal title, inside the Cell, but he has also promised “the highest stakes of any WWE match.” If Jey loses he must fall in line and follow the orders of Roman Reigns. If he refuses, both Jey and Jimmy, their wives and children will be cut out of the Samoan family by the orders of the Tribal Chief. Whatever happens, history will be made on Sunday when we see the first-ever “I Quit” match inside Hell in a Cell. The last two Cell matches for the Universal Championship have had controversial finishes, and this one is sure to be newsworthy too.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Roman Reigns

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Roman Reigns

All pics and videos courtesy of WWE