Welcome back to another edition of predictions by yours truly, this time for WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view this Sunday. My record has been averaging over 90% in recent months so hopefully the trend continues. Let’s break down each match that has already been announced for the event this Sunday.
Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio
[adinserter block=”2″]The viper against the Mexican aristocrat has the least value as it is the only announced non-title match. However, Orton and Del Rio are two of the best workers and therefore, I expect it a great wrestling match. I am sure Ricardo Rodriguez will play his usual part in the match, but it will probably backfire. With that said, I expect Orton to pick up the win here.
Prediction: Randy Orton
Intercontinental Championship Match – Kofi Kingston (Champion) vs. The Miz
Before I get to who I predict will win this match, I would like to say that I don’t like how this feud has gone. I liked the build up prior to Main Event. I understand WWE wanting to build the show up and that is probably why they had Kofi win the title there. However, it is a taped show and WWE even publicized the title in by Kofi the day before the show aired on TV. Why not build the match up to Hell in a Cell? It’s a live pay-per-view show that by giving Kofi the title win here would make the title match matter more. With Kofi’s push going strong and the Miz booked as a poor champion and even superstar, there should be no surprise here. Kofi will win with trouble in paradise as he continues his push. WWE seems very high on him right now as a singles competitor and I will allow it. I don’t know what WWE is doing with the Miz right now, but I don’t expect him to regain the championship.
Prediction: Kofi Kingston retains IC title
WWE Tag Team Championship Match – Team Hell No! (Champions) vs. Team Rhodes Scholars
This was the obvious scenario when they announced the tag team tournament. I predicted Team Rhodes Scholars would win. Here comes the tricky part though. Does WWE keep the titles on Team Hell No with all of their entertainment and momentum? Or is it time to break them up and give the titles to Rhodes and Sandow. I do believe Rhodes Scholars will be future tag team champions. However, I think it is too soon. I think this feud will continue. Expect both teams to be involved in a big Survivor Series match and then have a rematch at TLC. Since I will be attending TLC, I will predict that Team Hell No loses to Rhodes Scholars then. In terms of Hell in a Cell, I expect Team Hell No to pick up the win here.
Prediction: Team Hell No retain tag team titles
World Heavyweight Championship Match – Sheamus (Champion) vs. Big Show
Typically I would say this is a standard Sheamus WHC match in which he hulks up at the end and wins with the brogue kick. However, has anyone else noticed Ziggler continuously promising to cash in at Hell in a Cell? Also, don’t forget that Vickie Guerrero has just been assigned as the Managing Supervisor of Raw. This could mean either Vickie and Ziggler are quietly splitting up or Vickie could help Ziggler reach main event status. She did a similar thing as a general manager when she dated Edge. Either way, I think we will at least see an attempted cash in by Ziggler, if not the real thing. Sheamus’ run as World Heavyweight Champion has been boring to say the least and WWE and its’ fans love Ziggler. Ziggler was even getting chants during the Sheamus-Punk lumberjack match last night on Raw. Expect either Sheamus to win and a failed cash in attempt by Ziggler or Big Show to win and a successful cash in attempt. If Big Show wins, he could have another 45 second reign as champion only to lose to Mr. Money in the Bank again.
Prediction: Big Show wins only to lose to Dolph Ziggler via cash in (New World Heavyweight Champion)
WWE Championship Match – CM Punk (Champion) vs. Ryback
[adinserter block=”1″]Clearly, the most unpredictable match on the card. CM Punk’s over 330 day reign as champion or Ryback’s undefeated streak is over. Recently, I wrote an article on Bleacher Report about why CM Punk vs. Ryback is a mistake. I still agree with myself. However, I also understand the points of many others. Ryback winning would certainly make things more unpredictable and Ryback vs. Rock would certainly be interesting. However, I can’t help but think someone will interfere and Ryback won’t win the championship. The obvious choice here is Brock Lesnar. This would be a perfect way to set up a Ryback and John Cena vs. Punk and Lesnar match for Survivor Series. The question on everyone’s mind is will WWE go with the rumored scenario or go in a different direction? Remember that Lesnar has a limited number of appearances he can make according to his contract. Will they use one of those appearances here? With the potential of leading to a huge Survivor Series match, I am going to go with the crowd here.
Prediction: CM Punk retains WWE Championship with help from Brock Lesnar
Hopefully there will be more matches than just those above which were announced. Look for a Justin Gabriel-Antonio Cesaro match. Cesaro will keep the United States Championship, but they have been leading to a feud anyway.
Do you agree or disagree with my predictions? What are your predictions for Hell in a Cell 2012?
Seth Guttenplan is a teacher by day, writer by night. In addition to being the Monday Night Raw reviewer for CamelClutchBlog.com, Seth is a Bleacher Report writer and host of Smackdown Rundown, ProWrestlingPowerhouse.com’s weekly radio show reviewing Friday Night Smackdown and previewing all upcoming WWE pay-per-view events. To read more from Seth, follow him on twitter (@sethgutt) and visit http://guttwrenchpowerblog.com
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