WWE Hell in a Cell 2016 Results and Review: Steel, Brutality, and History

Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)

Hell in a Cell is a badge of honor, a proving ground for the best of the best. It is also the most fearsome structure ever conceived, one that defines greatness only as often as it ruins careers. All wrestlers must balance the glory with the cost.

Making a whole pay-per-view around the structure has only further emphasized the Cell's threat as two even three matches are contested inside the structure with more people forced to decide whether the risk is worth it.

This year, six more men and women entered the Cell in what WWE wanted to call triple "main events", and each had to face the pain and suffering that would come with trying to add another level of brutality to their work.

The crowd was so excited about this moment that they almost considered cheering briefly.

Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado, and Sin Cara def. Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, and Ariya Daivari

Overview: This match started out back and forth until Tony Nese helped to isolate Lince Dorado for the heels. The action broke down shortly after a hot tag to Cedric Alexander that left Alexander alone with Drew Gulak. Lince Dorado saved Alexander from a dragon sleeper then was cleared out with Alexander hitting the Lumbar Check for the win.

Highlights:

• Sin Cara had a springboard elbow blocked only to hit an arm drag.
• Cara caught Nese then Gulak then Ariya Daivari with backbreakers.
• Cara knocked down Daivari with a springboard moonsault.
• Daivari hit Cara with a neckbreaker off a Nese distraction.
• Dorado came out in a flurry with a spring back elbow into a spinning heel kick then the shooting star press on Nese.
• A breakdown led to everyone but Nese and Dorado on the floor with Nese catching Dorado and launching him onto everyone.
• Daivari hit a jumping knee then let Gulak lock in a leg trap on Dorado on which he added an elbow wrench.
• Alexander got the hot tag and hit a springboard handspring roundhouse that send all the heels outside to regroup.
• The faces followed the heels outside with  triple suicide dives.

Analysis: The cruiserweights continue to be better the more time they get. This should have had more time than it did because the six were all clicking. Cara was particularly impressive with his hoss-like role in the division. His deadlift slams are a thing of beauty.

Everyone got their moment by the close, but it was not a showing that helped spark the crowd. This was just about what we get every week on Monday Night Raw just with a bit more flavor to the offense thanks to an extra few minutes.

Rating: 8/10

Maybe Rusev's problem was he only targeted Reigns' vest. Got after the exposed skin next time.

Roman Reigns def. Rusev Inside Hell in a Cell to Retain the WWE United States Championship

Overview: This began as a slugfest between Rusev and Roman Reigns with both men taking punishment. Rusev managed to gain a distinct advantage in the violence using a kendo stick to brutalize Reigns then turning to a steel chain.

The steel steps were constantly used in the match and became the main set piece late. Rusev locked Reigns in The Accolade on the steps with the steel chain with Rusev fighting out, hitting a Samoan drop on the steps, then Spearing Rusev off the steps for the win.

Highlights:

• Reigns tackled Rusev right off the apron into the Cell.
• Reigns was viciously Irish whipped into the top turnbuckle.
• Rusev hit a hip toss but then missed a running splash.
• Rusev countered a Drive By with a vicious clothesline.
• Rusev threw Reigns into the steel steps then slammed him with them repeatedly.
• Reigns knocked a kendo stick out Rusev's hands with a Drive By.
• Rusev trapped Reigns in the ropes and hit him with a kendo stick viciously on repeat.
• Reigns broke free from the ropes to catch Rusev with a clothesline.
• Rusev caught the Superman Punch and threw Reigns into the corner but bounced off the ropes into a Superman Punch.
• Rusev whipped Reigns head-first into the steel step in the corner.

Analysis: This match started slow as all Reigns and Rusev's encounters have, but it also picked up as well. It just picked up more through brutality than explosiveness which likely did not appeal to as many people. Personally, I enjoyed the way the two clashed once more.

The biggest issue was the story which was basically boiled down to Reigns playing the resilient hero role. He took the beating then came up big at the end. It is never as effective a play as WWE wishes it would be even if the finish looked quite good.

Rating: 8.75/10

Must be difficult having a dead arm and only knowing how to do a corkscrew elbow with that arm.

Bayley def. Dana Brooke

Overview: Dana Brooke targeted the bad arm of Bayley early and often, but Brooke refused to sit back and take it this time, countering Brooke's most vicious strikes. She rolled back against Brooke, hitting a series of huge moves, finishing it with the Bayley-to-Belly.

Highlights:

• Bayley repeatedly slammed Brooke's face into the turnbuckles then dropkicked her into the bottom turnbuckle.
• Bayley hit double arm drags, but her splash missed with her bad shoulder sent into the turnbuckle.
• Brooke used her handstand leg choke then hit a clothesline.
• Brooke wrapped up Bayley's arm in ropes repeatedly.
• Bayley blocked Brooke's charge but takes a forearm on the apron then stops Brooke from slamming her into the post only to have her arm chopped onto the ropes.
• Bayley rolled out, splashes Brooke in the corner, then hit a top rope corkscrew elbow.
  

Analysis: This was a good showing from Brooke who had no sloppy moments, showing strong focus on Bayley's arm. Her brutal assault was creative in its directness. It just hurt that the match was structured like one of Bayley's squash matches of late.

Brooke attacked her and beat her down, but Bayley rallied with a flurry to pick up the win. There wasn't enough creativity to break up the predictable story on display. It might have worked better to give the women a bit longer and have Brooke take a controversial win just to spice this up. Not much more that can be done with this rivalry now.

Rating: 7/10

Enzo and Cass will be the greatest tag team of all time when they figure out to just let Cass wrestle the whole match and just use Enzo occasionally as a foreign object.

Gallows and Anderson def. Enzo and Cass

Overview: Enzo came out swinging and seemed to have Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on the ropes. They managed to isolate him though until he got the hot tag to Big Cass who seemed to single-handedly dominate both. When he tagged back in Enzo, Enzo took a Magic Killer for the loss.

Highlights:

• Enzo hit a sudden running crossbody then a flurry of punches.
• Cass used Enzo repeatedly as a weapon, first thrown at Gallows then Anderson then both on the outside.
• Anderson trapped Enzo in the tree of woe for a low dropkick.
• Enzo fought Anderson off the top rope and hit diving DDT.
• Cass got the hot tag and rolled both men, big booting Gallows outside then hitting a body slam and Empire Elbow on Anderson.

Analysis: This match barely got more time than Bayley vs. Brooke, and it was supposed to be a more even showing of two future title contenders. This just felt like a good TV match where we got to see the middle section that is cut by commercials.

The troubling part of this rivalry is that Cass' booking destroys Gallows and Anderson's credibility. He is more dominant against them than John Cena was. You would think he could just wrestle the whole match and win on his own in a handicap match here. Still, the action was fine as a whole.

Rating: 7/10

For a second there, Super-Rollins started to sell his back injury. Don't worry, he recovered.

Kevin Owens def. Seth Rollins Inside Hell in a Cell to Retain the WWE Universal Championship

Overview: Kevin Owens was not prepared for Seth Rollins' aggression who came rolling after Owens early. Both men took punishment and weapon shots, but neither would go down. When Owens got the chance, he took the referee with a fire extinguisher opening the door for Chris Jericho to slip inside.

The numbers game did not affect Rollins early until Jericho broke up a pinfall off a frog splash. Then it became clear he had no chance as the numbers overwhelmed him and he took a pop-up powerbomb and powerbomb on two chairs for the loss. Afterward, Jericho Codebreaked Rollins.

Highlights:

• Rollins hit an early Slingblade on Owens as he tried to escape.
• Owens whipped Rollins' back into the corner and immediately hit a running senton on his back.
• Owens raked Rollins against the Cell.
• Owens threw Rollins through the ropes into the Cell then slammed him repeatedly against it on the floor.
• Owens blocked Rollins' Pedigree then took a superkick but rebounded with his own superkick and clothesline.
• Rollins hit Owens with a suplex on the apron.
• Rollins hit back to back suicide dives into the Cell on Owens.
• Jericho was bounced off the Cell immediately by Rollins.
• Rollins blocked Owens on top rope and hit a springboard knee.
• Jericho took a Pedigree when returning.
• Rollins blocked a powerbomb then dead lift powerbombed Owens through two tables outside followed by a frog splash with Jericho saving the pinfall by throwing out the referee.
• Owens only got a nearfall off a superkick into a pop-up powerbomb.
  

Analysis: As a pure in-ring showcase, this was fantastic. Rollins and Owens were great together and sold a physically intense contest. They pulled out some great sequences without having to rely too much on spots and made the most of the Cell without having to escape its confines.

The main issue was the use of Jericho who is playing the classic lackey role for Owens which always hurts match quality. Jericho took the bumps and saved Owens from defeat which all makes Owens look back as champion. It's unavoidable, but it hurt a match that was firing on all cylinders.

Rating: 9/10

He did it for his family. How can you not love a guy who does it for his family? He and KO should be best friends.

The Brian Kendrick def. TJ Perkins to Become the New WWE Cruiserweight Champion

Overview: TJ Perkins came out swinging and rolling over Brian Kendrick until Kendrick's desperation kicked in, and he began trying everything that came to mind. After a Sliced Bread #2 failed to connect, Kendrick seemed to hurt his knee which suckered Perkins in for a headbutt and Captain's Hook for the submission win.

Highlights:

• Perkins hit a series of hip tosses then a roll up.
• Perkins hit a springboard crossbody into a flurry of strikes.
• Kendrick trapped Perkins' hand in the ropes by tying Perkins' hand with his own tape.
• Perkins hit a belly to back suplex but dived into a dropkick.
• Perkins hit a Detonation Kick nearfall.
• Kendrick hit a belly to back suplex into a cradle.
• Perkins' chicken wing lungblower was reversed into the Captain's Hook with Perkins fighting out and slipping in a sudden kneebar.

Analysis: This match had some snags much like their previous encounters, but it also was their most complete match and story to date. Perkins was always far ahead of Kendrick physically, and Kendrick seemed to be running out of tricks to gain any advantage.

Then he managed to manipulate Perkins' emotions to break his guard down and go on the assault. It was surprising Kendrick took the title off Perkins who seems made for the championship, but this may be the best way to continue this story.

Rating: 8.25/10

The New Day really need to stop testing their fate and letting Woods wrestle for them. Don't they know that's the only time they lose?

Cesaro and Sheamus def. The New Day's Xavier Woods and Big E by Disqualification; The New Day Retain the Raw Tag Team Championships

Overview: Sheamus' more underhanded tactics helped Cesaro gain an early advantage in isolating Xavier Woods until Big E got the hot tag. A miscommunication nearly cost the two the match. However, it was another mistake that cost them as Kofi got DQed, hitting Trouble in Paradise on Kofi, just as Woods was tapping out to the Sharpshooter.

Highlights:

• Woods started off quick with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors.
• Sheamus elbowed Woods off the apron behind the ref's back, stole a tag, then threw Woods into the steel barricade.
• Woods fought off the uppercut train and hit a side kick off the second rope.
• Woods broke out of the swing to hit an enzuigiri on Cesaro, back kick on Sheamus, then a springboard diving elbow to Cesaro.
• Cesaro hit a vicious series of uppercuts in the corner then locked Woods in the giant swing which Big E broke up with a belly to belly into the corner.
• Sheamus saved Cesaro from the Midnight Hour but accidentally Brogue Kicked Cesaro, having to save the cover that followed.
• Sheamus hit a Battering Ram outside to The New Day.

Analysis: WWE has a quality pairing here who got off to a strong start and told a compelling story. It is too bad they hampered them by elongating New Day's title reign again by a disqualification. Much like at SummerSlam, this felt like a clear New Day loses without the titles situation.

It will likely go the same way for Sheamus and Cesaro as Gallows and Anderson. They are now doomed to lose again and again to the champs while the trio marches toward history. I personally just want to see more long matches with Cesaro and Sheamus tagging. They are perfect together.

Rating: 8/10

In their first introduction to the hardcore scene, the women even got to meet the unbreakable table.

Charlotte def. Sasha Banks Inside Hell in a Cell to Become the New Raw Women's Champion

Overview: Before the match could begin, Charlotte cheap shot Sasha Banks and fought her into the crowd. Charlotte managed to get Banks to climb the Cell then powerbombed her off it into the table. The impact nearly forced Banks to forfeit the match.

Instead, Banks got into the Cell and went back and forth in a brutal affair where both women nearly were defeated. Banks' bad back decided the match when it gave out on a powerbomb. Charlotte threw her repeatedly into a table in the corner then hit the Natural Selection for the win.

Highlights:

• Charlotte used her leg to smack Banks' face into the steel post.
• Charlotte monkey flipped Banks into the Cell.
• Charlotte fought off the Bank Statement and threw Banks onto the apron to the floor.
• Banks suicide dived onto Charlotte into the Cell.
• Charlotte gloated over Banks only to be tripped off the rope by Banks.
• Banks tripped Charlotte onto a steel chair face-first then smacked her into the chair repeatedly.
• Charlotte hit a spinning backbreaker onto the chair.
• Banks kicked a gloating Charlotte into the Cell.
• Banks caught the Cell on a throw and hit double knees off it then double kneed Charlotte again into the Cell.
• Banks hit the three amigos and a frog splash.
• Banks got a nearfall off double knees onto Charlotte on the second rope through a steel chair.
• Charlotte's superplex attempt through a table ended with her being kicked off the apron through the table.
• Banks pulled out a table only to have Charlotte kick it and Banks into the Cell.
• Banks fought out of the figure eight with steel chair shots.

Analysis: I don't know if I'm overrating this match or underrating because I have reasons that lean in both directions. To me, this match was nearly perfect. It started out selling Charlotte's craftiness and Banks' resilience and built upon that throughout. The spots were creative and brutal.

On the other hand, the ending was wildly disappointing with it feeling both out of nowhere and the wrong direction. Charlotte does not need that championship, and her PPV undefeated streaks seems more a case of WWE liking her too much to let her lose more than a legitimate story.

That is really my only fault on the best match of the series between these two who have been great every time out and changed up the story with each encounter. This was very much a continuation of their SummerSlam clash with Banks' back again letting her down.

Rating: 9.5/10

The word is next year every match will be inside Hell in a Cell and every match will be a main event.

Final Notes: In an interview, Owens promised to make his match against Rollins far more brutal than Reigns vs. Rusev as he would scar Rollins permanently.

Jericho walked in on Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon talking up Survivor Series, wanting to be captain of the team with Owens. Cesaro and Sheamus seemed to get along backstage, but they lost the air of friendliness before it was over.

Conclusion: Overall, this was quite the enjoyable show. It did have a tendency of going a bit too big with its results, switching a few titles where none could have changed hands. Still, the matches were good enough to overcome some of the booking.

The talent were clearly excited to perform particularly those in the three "main events" which were all given good time. It was a night where Hell in a Cell really felt the weight of its stipulation, and the wrestlers inside the structure used their surroundings extensively.

Beyond the women's match to close, most of this night could easily be forgotten given the lack of big moments, but it was a night of wrestling and brutal wrestling at that which is all you can ask for when it is delivered so well.

Grade: B