Hell in a Cell (2015)

Hell in a Cell was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE. It took place on October 25, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. It was the seventh event under the Hell in a Cell chronology. This is also the first WWE pay-per-view, other than SummerSlam, to be held in the city of Los Angeles since 2007's No Way Out.

Hell in a Cell
Promotional poster featuring Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker
PromotionWWE
DateOctober 25, 2015
CityLos Angeles, California
VenueStaples Center
Attendance17,505[1]
WWE Network event chronology
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Hell in a Cell chronology
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2016

Eight matches were contested at the event, with one match on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match, their second such match, the first one being at the 2002 No Mercy event. Also on the show, Alberto Del Rio returned to the WWE to answer John Cena's open challenge and defeat him to win the WWE United States Championship.

Production

Background

Hell in a Cell is an annual gimmick pay-per-view, generally produced every October by WWE since 2009. The concept of the show comes from WWE's established Hell in a Cell match, in which competitors fight inside a 20-foot-high roofed cell structure surrounding the ring and ringside area. The main event match of the card is contested under the Hell in a Cell stipulation.[2][3][4] 2015 was the seventh event under the Hell in a Cell chronology and the last before the reintroduction of the brand extension in July 2016, which again split the roster between the Raw and SmackDown brands.[5]

Storylines

The card consisted of eight matches, including one of the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches, with results predetermined by WWE's writers.[6][7] Storylines between the characters played out on WWE's primary television programs, Raw and SmackDown.

Alberto Del Rio made a surprise return to WWE at the event, answering John Cena's open challenge and defeated him for the United States Championship.

At WrestleMania XXX in 2014, Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker to end the streak.[8] A year later at Battleground, Lesnar was about to defeat Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, when the lights went out and Undertaker attacked Lesnar; Lesnar won the match by disqualification but not the title.[9] After a vicious brawl between the two on Raw, they would face in a rematch at SummerSlam. Undertaker defeated Lesnar in controversial fashion; the timekeeper ringing the bell after seeing the Undertaker supposedly indicating submission; since the referee hadn't see a submission and never stopped the match, the match continued. The confusion allowed Undertaker to surprise Lesnar with a low blow before trapping him in the Hell's Gate submission hold, causing Lesnar to pass out, giving Undertaker the win.[10] At Night of Champions, Lesnar was scheduled to face Undertaker one last time in a Hell in a Cell match at the event. This would be their second, as they faced 13 years ago for the WWE Championship at No Mercy 2002.[11]

At Battleground, Bray Wyatt defeated Roman Reigns after interference from Luke Harper.[9] At SummerSlam, Reigns and Dean Ambrose defeated Wyatt and Harper.[10] At Night of Champions, Wyatt, Harper and Braun Strowman defeated Reigns, Ambrose and Chris Jericho.[11] On the September 21 episode of Raw, Randy Orton helped Reigns and Ambrose fend off an attack by Wyatt, Harper and Strowman.[12] Subsequently, Reigns challenged Wyatt to a Hell in a Cell match at the event, which Wyatt accepted.[13] A match pitting Ambrose and Orton against Harper and Strowman was also scheduled for the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show[14] but after Orton suffered a Shoulder injury, the match was cancelled.[15]

At Night of Champions, Kane returned from injury as "Demon" Kane and attacked Seth Rollins after Rollins retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Sting.[11] At Live from Madison Square Garden, Demon Kane attacked Rollins after Rollins lost to John Cena in a steel cage match.[16] Subsequently, Rollins was scheduled to defend his title against Demon Kane at the event, but that should Demon Kane lose, Corporate Kane, Kane's alter ego, would be fired from his role as Director of Operations.[17]

At Night of Champions, The Dudley Boyz had defeated WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day by disqualification, therefore not winning the titles.[11] At Live from Madison Square Garden, The Dudley Boyz again won by disqualification.[16] This led to another rematch for the title at Hell in a Cell.[17]

The event also included two more rematches from Night of Champions: Charlotte had defeated Nikki Bella to win the Divas Championship[11] and Kevin Owens had defeated Ryback to win the Intercontinental Championship.[11] Both champions had to defend their newly-won titles against the former champions.[18]

An open challenge title defense by United States Champion John Cena was also scheduled for the event.[15]

On the October 19 edition of Raw, Sheamus, King Barrett, and Rusev defeated Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Neville. Later that night, a rematch between the trios was scheduled for the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show.[15]

Event
Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
English commentators Michael Cole
John "Bradshaw" Layfield
Jerry Lawler
Spanish commentators Carlos Cabrera
Marcelo Rodriguez
Interviewer Rich Brennan
Ring announcer Lilian Garcia
Referees Charles Robinson
John Cone
Mike Chioda
Jason Ayers
Chad Patton
Ryan Tran
Rudy Charles
Pre-show Panel Renee Young
Booker T
Corey Graves
Byron Saxton

Pre-show

During the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show, Sheamus, King Barrett, and Rusev faced Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Neville. In the end, Ziggler performed a superkick on Barrett and Cesaro performed a Cesaro Swing on Barrett. Neville executed a Red Arrow on Barrett to win the match.

Preliminary matches

The actual pay-per-view opened with John Cena's open Challenge for the WWE United States Championship. Zeb Colter interrupted Cena's pre-match promo, introducing the returning Alberto Del Rio as Cena's opponent. The ending saw Del Rio counter an Attitude Adjustment, perform a backstabber and a superkick on a kneeling Cena, and pinned him to win the title for the first time.

Next, Roman Reigns faced Bray Wyatt in a Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Wyatt performed a side slam off the ring apron though a table on Reigns and scored a near-fall. Reigns performed a powerbomb on Wyatt through a table for a near-fall. Reigns performed a spear on Wyatt off the ring apron through a table and pinned Wyatt for a near-fall. Reigns attempted another spear only for Wyatt to counter it into a Sister Abigail on Reigns for a near-fall. In the end, Reigns threw Wyatt into a kendo stick wedged in the padding of a turnbuckle and pinned Wyatt after a spear to win the match.

After that, The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley). In the end, Big E hit Bubba Ray with Xavier Woods' trombone. Kingston pinned Bubba Ray after performing Trouble in Paradise to retain the titles.

In the fourth match, Charlotte defended the WWE Divas Championship against Nikki Bella. The match ended when Charlotte forced Nikki to submit to the Figure-Eight Leglock to retain the title.

After that, Seth Rollins defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane. During the match, Kane performed a chokelslam on Rollins for a near-fall. Kane attempted another chokeslam through a broadcast table on Rollins, but Rollins countered with a powerbomb onto another broadcast table. In the end, Kane attempted another chokeslam, however Rollins pinned Kane after a Pedigree to retain the title.

In the sixth match, Kevin Owens defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Ryback. The match ended when Owens pinned Ryback after a Pop-up powerbomb to retain the title.

Main event

In the main event, Brock Lesnar faced The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match. This was the second encounter between the two inside the Cell, with their first encounter occurring at No Mercy. During the match, Undertaker shoved Lesnar into the ring post, causing Lesnar to bleed profusely for which he needed medical intervention and 8 stitches post-match. Lesnar hit Undertaker with a steel chair, causing Undertaker to bleed. Undertaker drove the chair into Lesnar's throat for a near-fall. Lesnar performed two F-5s on Undertaker for near-falls. Lesnar struck Undertaker with the steel steps for a near-fall. Undertaker applied the Hell's Gate on Lesnar, but Lesnar fought out of it. At the end of the match, Lesnar removed the ring cover, exposing the ring floor underneath. Undertaker executed a chokeslam and a Tombstone Piledriver on Lesnar, both onto the exposed ring floor, for a near-fall. In the end, Lesnar attacked Undertaker with a low blow and executed a third F-5 on Undertaker onto the exposed ring floor to win the match.

After the match, The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman) attacked Undertaker. Undertaker fought back, but they eventually overpowered him and carried him away.

Aftermath

The night following the event, on Raw, Bray Wyatt explained that he wanted to claim The Undertaker's Soul and obtain its powers.[19] Kane then tried to attack Wyatt but got ambushed and attacked by The Wyatt Family and was also carried out to the backstage.[19] On the November 9 episode of Raw, The Undertaker and Kane reemerged and attacked The Wyatt Family.[20] On the November 12 episode of Smackdown, Wyatt challenged The Undertaker and Kane to a tag team match at Survivor Series against two members of The Wyatt Family of his choosing, which they accepted later that night.[21]

On the Raw following the event, The Authority held a tournament by pitting the winners of their respective matches at Hell in a Cell against each other to determine the next No.1 contender to Seth Rollins's WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Roman Reigns would win the final Fatal 4-Way match also involving Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, and Alberto Del Rio to become the No.1 contender and face Rollins for the championship scheduled for Survivor Series. On November 4, however, Rollins suffered multiple knee injuries during a house show in Dublin, Ireland. The tournament was now scheduled to determine a new champion, with the finals held at Survivor Series. Reigns won the tournament and the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the event but immediately lost it when Sheamus cashed-in his Money in the Bank contract and pinned him for the title.

On the October 26 episode of Raw, Paige continued to persuade Charlotte and Becky Lynch that she did not attack Natalya. While still not convinced, Charlotte and Becky allowed Paige to join them as PCB and faced Team Bella on that night in a losing effort. After the match, Paige attacked Charlotte and Becky, cementing her heel turn. On the November 2 episode of Raw, Paige defeated Becky, Sasha Banks and Brie Bella in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine the number one contender for the WWE Divas Championship.

After Hell in a Cell, Jack Swagger briefly feuded with Alberto Del Rio after confronting Zeb Colter about joining Del Rio. Swagger saved Neville, who was assaulted by Del Rio after a match but lost to Del Rio in a Chairs Match at TLC. Meanwhile, John Cena took a hiatus from wrestling to film the reality series American Grit. He returned on the December 28 episode of Raw and challenged Del Rio to a title match, which Cena won by disqualification after The League of Nations interfered. Cena then took more time off after undergoing shoulder surgery on January 7, 2016 but introduced Kalisto to challenge Del Rio in his stead. Kalisto defeated Del Rio for the US championship. Cena did not return full-time until the May 30 episode of Raw.

Reception

The event received generally positive reviews from critics. Larry Csonka from 411MANIA gave the event a 7/10. He praised Wyatt vs. Reigns and Lesnar vs. Undertaker saying that both matches delivered.[22] The main event went on to win the Slammy Award for Match of the Year.

Results
No. Results Stipulations Times[23]
1P Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Neville defeated Rusev, Sheamus and King Barrett Six-man tag team match[24] 11:30
2 Alberto Del Rio (with Zeb Colter) defeated John Cena (c) Singles match for the WWE United States Championship[25] 7:48
3 Roman Reigns defeated Bray Wyatt Hell in a Cell match[26] 23:03
4 The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) (c) defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship[27] 8:24
5 Charlotte (c) defeated Nikki Bella by submission Singles match for the WWE Divas Championship[28] 10:39
6 Seth Rollins (c) defeated Kane Singles match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Since Demon Kane lost, Corporate Kane was fired from his role as Director of Operations		 14:35
7 Kevin Owens (c) defeated Ryback Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship[29] 5:35
8 Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) defeated The Undertaker Hell in a Cell match[30] 18:10
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match
  • P – indicates the match took place on the pre-show

References
  1. Paglino, Nick (2015-11-05). "Updated Attendance & Financial Figures for WWE Hell in a Cell, How Was the Live Gate?, Footage of Matt Hardy Replacing AJ Styles". wrestlezone.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  2. Caldwell, James (June 27, 2009). "WWE News: WWE changes the names of two more PPVs; Report on WWE fan input leading to changes". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  3. "Specialty Matches: Hell in a Cell". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  4. "WWE seeking feedback on PPVs". WrestleView. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  5. Johnson, Mike. "COMPLETE 2015 WWE PPV SCHEDULE". pwinsider.com. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  6. Grabianowski, Ed. "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  7. "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  8. Caldwell, James. "WrestleMania 30 PPV results (Hour 3): Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Undertaker vs. Lesnar Streak match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  9. Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE BATTLEGROUND PPV REPORT 7/19: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV - Rollins vs. Lesnar, Cena vs. Owens III, Orton returns home, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  10. Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/23: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Lesnar vs. Taker, Title vs. Title, more matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  11. Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE NOC PPV REPORT 9/20: Live Night of Champions Coverage from Houston - Seth Rollins's double duty, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  12. Mike, Tedesco. "WWE RAW Results - 9/21/15 (Demon Kane attacks Rollins)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  13. Kahrs, Alex. "WWE SmackDown Results - 10/1/15 (Six Man Tag Match)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  14. Tedesco, Mike. "WWE RAW Results - 10/12/15 (Seth Rollins vs. Demon Kane)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  15. Tedesco, Mike. "WWE RAW Results - 10/19/15 (Austin and Undertaker appear)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  16. "KELLER'S WWE MSG SPECIAL REPORT 10/3: Lesnar vs. Big Show, Cena vs. Charlotte in a cage, Jericho vs. Owens in an IC Title match, Dudleys vs. New Day for tag titles". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  17. Tedesco, Mike. "WWE RAW Results - 10/5/15 (Hell in a Cell takes shape)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  18. Kahrs, Alex. "WWE Smackdown Results - 10/8/15 (Reigns & Orton team)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  19. Dilbert, Ryan (October 26, 2015). "WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 26". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  20. Benigno, Anthony (November 9, 2015). "WWE Raw results, Nov. 9, 2015: The Brothers of Destruction return and five Superstars advance in World Title Tournament". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  21. Lopez, Josh (November 12, 2015). "WWE SmackDown Results (11/12) – Usos vs. Wyatts, WWE World Title Tournament Continues?, Undertaker Responds To Bray Wyatt's Challenge". Wrestle Zone. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  22. Csonka, Larry. "Csonka's WWE Hell in a Cell Review 10.25.15". 411MANIA. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  23. Caldwell, James. "10/25 Live HIAC PPV Report – CALDWELL'S Live Coverage". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  24. Clapp, John. "Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro & Neville vs. League of Nations (Sheamus, King Barrett & Rusev) (Kickoff Match)". WWE. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  25. Clapp, John. "John Cena's U.S. Open Challenge". WWE. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  26. Clapp, John. "Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt (Hell in a Cell Match)". WWE. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  27. Clapp, John. "WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Dudley Boyz". WWE. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  28. Melok, Bobby. "Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella". WWE. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  29. Clapp, John. "Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens vs. Ryback". WWE. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  30. Clapp, John. "The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar (Hell in a Cell Match)". WWE. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
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