It’s the official Hell in a Cell Kickoff Show, presented by Mountain Dew Kickstart! After seeing members of the WWE Universe filing into the arena, we cut to Renee Young, our host for the Kickoff show. She welcomes the viewers to the show and introduces the rest of her panel, which includes Hall of Famer Booker T, Alex Riley and WWE’s resident high flyer, Kofi Kingston. The first order of business for the panel is to discuss the historic first ever Divas Hell in a Cell match. This past Monday night on Raw, Paige looked for revenge after AJ Lee threw her best friend Emma off of the stage. It didn’t go very well, with both Paige and AJ falling off the stage and crashing through two tables. Despite being banged up, both women are indeed here tonight and will compete. They move onto discussing the United States Championship match between the red hot Alberto Del Rio and the undefeated “Bulgarian Brute” Alexander Rusev. Only Booker T believes that Rusev’s streak will come to an end tonight. Kofi Kingston handles the Survival Trials portion of the Kickoff Show, stating that he’s still upset he wasn’t included. He takes us to a video package that recaps the entire tournament so far. We see some of the surprising moments like Roman Reigns beating John Cena, the Miz beating Cody Rhodes and Rhodes defeating Reigns to take first place. When the video ends, Kofi predicts that Cody will also beat Cena tonight. Booker, Renee and Alex are taken aback by that statement, with Riley predicting that Cena will win out the rest of the tournament. Before discussing the other two Hell in a Cell matches, Renee sends it to the ring for our opening contest.
SURVIVAL TRIALS – ADRIAN NEVILLE (6) VS. THE MIZ (2); What started out as a standard Survival Trials match has taken on a much more personal feel. The Miz has offered to spice up Adrian Neville’s personality but Neville declined. Miz threw Neville into a mirror this past week and Neville attacked him on MizTV at Smackdown. There is no lockup here because Neville goes right after Miz with right hands. He swings so hard that one of the bandages on his face falls clean off.
“Miz seems to have struck a chord with Adrian Neville” says John “Bradshaw” Layfield. Miz rolls outside to take a breather but Neville is relentless, bouncing off the ropes and hitting a gorgeous corkscrew moonsault and taking the Miz out. Neville continues to be aggressive, slamming Miz’s “moneymaker” into the announce table a few times. Miz must scurry away but once back inside, he gets in some stomps. Miz takes over now, wearing down Neville and working on his leg, looking to prevent him from hitting the devastating Red Arrow. Miz hits the Awesome Clothesline in the corner before going right back to stomping on the leg.
“This focused attack on the knee is brilliant” says JBL. Miz starts wrapping Neville’s leg around the ring post, continuing the attack. He locks in the Figure Four and Neville is writhing in pain. He manages to muster up the strength to reach the ropes and break the hold. Miz pounces for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Neville counters into a rollup for two. As Miz kicks out, Neville grabs him around the waist, dead lifting him for a German suplex. Neville climbs to the top, calling for the Red Arrow. However, his leg gives out and he fall, crotching himself on the top rope. He falls all the way to the mat, where Miz quickly applies the Figure Four again. Neville fights hard but the pain is too much and he taps out.
The Miz defeats Adrian Neville in 8:47!Boos rain down from the WWE Universe in Dallas as the Miz has his hand raised. He has struggled throughout this tournament, but now holds victories over Adrian Neville and Cody Rhodes. Neville lays on the ground, holding his knee. For one night at least, it seems like Neville should have taken Miz’s advice.
Cutting back to our esteemed panel, Renee Young leads a discussion on the Intercontinental Title Hell in a Cell match between Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler. They inform us that it will be opening the official Pay-Per-View broadcast. They remind us that this is the first time the title will be defended in the Cell as well as the first time Dolph Ziggler will enter it. A recap airs of Mick Foley appearing at the official contract signing, where Ziggler showed next to no emotions, refusing to break eye contact with the man who took him out at Night of Champions. The final match touched upon will be our main event as Batista and Randy Orton will put their Tag Team Titles on the line against CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. This war between Punk, Bryan and the Authority has waged on for over a year but it all comes to a head inside of the Devil’s Playground tonight. A video package highlighting their feud, set to “Crooked Smiles” by Framing Hanley.
The official Pay-Per-View opens with the WWE Signature before moving to a video package that not only focuses on the rivalries leading into tonight’s event, but also the history of carnage we’ve grown to know throughout the history of Hell in a Cell matches. Mick Foley getting tossed off and through the Cell in 1998, Shawn Michaels falling off the side in 1997, Cactus Jack going through the Cell in 2000 and Rikishi falling off in the Armageddon Cell match are just some of the old clips played in this video package. The feed then cuts to the sold out arena in Dallas, Texas as pyro shoots off in the entrance. Michael Cole, Jerry “the King” Lawler and John “Bradshaw” Layfield welcome the viewers at home to tonight’s huge event. Some of the biggest Survival Trials matches and three Hell in a Cell matches will go down tonight.
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP HELL IN A CELL MATCH – SHEAMUS (C) VS. DOLPH ZIGGLER; Gone is the cocky demeanor and “Showoff” mentality of Dolph Ziggler. His eyes are fixated on Sheamus as he walks down to the ring. Once Sheamus enters the Cell, Dolph pounces, diving over the top and laying into Sheamus with right hands. Ziggler sends Sheamus face first into the steel, then grates the champions’ face across it.
“Dolph Ziggler is out for the blood that Sheamus took from him at Night of Champions. An eye for an eye” says Michael Cole. Ziggler continues to drive his right hand into Sheamus’ forehead over and over. He walks over to the entrance of the Cell, picking up the blood stained steel chair and holding it high in the air while the crowd erupts. He swings but misses and hits the ring post, hurting his hands. Sheamus uses this opening to swing the momentum. He rolls Ziggler into the ring and continues the offensive onslaught. Sheamus reels off multiple big blows including the Irish Curse backbreaker and White Noise. Sheamus now gets the steel chair, raising it to a chorus of boos.
“Oh no, not this again” says Jerry Lawler. Sheamus cracks Ziggler in the back with the steel chair first. Ziggler rolls over onto his back, writhing in pain. Sheamus takes the edge of the chair and bashes it into his ribcage repeatedly. Sheamus tosses the chair aside and picks up Ziggler, who struggles to get to his feet. Sheamus backs up, going for the Brogue Kick, but Ziggler manages to duck. As Sheamus bounces back, he scores with a superkick, knocking the champion back to the outside. Ziggler pounces out there with more offensive moves. He leaps from the apron with a huge DDT, planting Sheamus headfirst on the floor. He whips Sheamus into the steel steps, knocking them over. Ziggler slides the steel steps into the ring as Sheamus starts to get to his feet. He grabs Sheamus but gets clobbered in the midsection and tossed into the steel grating. Sheamus turns him around and delivers the Beats of Bodhran, turning Ziggler’s chest into a bright shade of pink. He shouts “FELLA” as he lets Ziggler’s body crumple to the ground. Sheamus backs up as Ziggler gets up and tries a Brogue Kick again. Dolph avoids it and Sheamus kicks the ring post. Ziggler goes for the Zig Zag on the outside, slamming the back of Sheamus’ head into the steel grating!
“That might have been the most violent Zig Zag I’ve ever seen” says JBL. He struggles but rolls Sheamus inside and covers him, only getting a two count though. Ziggler is in disbelief but his faces changes to a blend of sick and thoughtful as he sees the blood stained steel chair. The crowd comes alive as he picks it up, waiting for Sheamus to rise. He cracks Sheamus across the skull with one massive shot. Sheamus stumbles back into the ropes, slowly bouncing off. Dolph positions himself behind him and plants him with a second Zig Zag onto the steel steps, earning revenge, the victory and the Intercontinental Championship.
Dolph Ziggler defeats Sheamus to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship in 17:18!“Dolph Ziggler has done it!” states Michael Cole as the celebration rages on. The WWE Universe comes to their feet as Dolph Ziggler is handed the WWE Intercontinental Championship by the official. His first foray into the Hell in a Cell turns out to be successful. Not only does he regain his gold, but he earns a measure of revenge on Sheamus for taking him out at Night of Champions. Dolph raises the title and the blood stained steel chair high in the air, letting out a loud yell as the Cell raises to the rafters.
An advertisement runs to promote the WWE Network. It is set in black and white, while the final promo from the Ultimate Warrior before his untimely death is heard over various images and clips of Superstars, Divas and fans.
As we cut to the backstage area, we see the Authority in their office.
Stephanie McMahon is not happy about the outcome of the opening contest. She gets in Bad News Barrett’s face, telling him that he needs to keep the Money in the Bank briefcase in his possession tonight. “Tonight is not about us gaining anything. We are the ones defending it all. The Intercontinental Title. That briefcase. The Tag Team Titles. Triple H needs to be shown that we do not only works, but is what’s best for business, so I will not have tonight be a failure. My father is coming back tomorrow night and I will not be embarrassed dammit!”
MONEY IN THE BANK BRIEFCASE SURVIVAL TRIALS – BAD NEWS BARRETT (6) VS. CHRIS JERICHO (4); It’s interesting to see that, of all of the Survival Trial matches so far, this one just might have the highest stakes. Bad News Barrett watches the referee raise the Money in the Bank briefcase high in the air with concern on his face. Once the bell rings, Barrett seems to flip a switch, gaining confidence and smack talking Chris Jericho. Jericho responds with a right hand, flooring his former NXT rookie. Jericho stays in control, grounding Barrett and targeting his lower back. He goes for the Walls of Jericho, but Barrett kicks off and rolls outside for a breather.
“Wise move by Mr. Money in the Bank” says John “Bradshaw” Layfield. Once back inside, Barrett starts to fare better, pounding away on Jericho and really focusing his attacks on the head. Barrett straight up stomps on his head in vicious fashion at one point, causing Jericho to roll towards the corner, holding the side of his head. Barrett sees an opening as Jericho’s head is resting next to the ring post. He goes outside and turns his elbow pad inside out.
“Oh my god, Barrett is going to try and concuss Jericho” says Michael Cole. He takes a massive swing but Jericho gets out of the way just in the nick of time, causing Barrett’s elbow to smack into the post. He hunches over in agony, holding his elbow. Barrett climbs up onto the apron where Jericho greets him with a springboard dropkick, knocking him back outside. The referee starts the count but Barrett beats it just before it reaches ten. Jericho quickly goes for the Lionsault, but Barrett gets his knees up. He stands up and looks for the Bull Hammer but has to lower his arm instantly in pain. Jericho charges and tries the Codebreaker, but Barrett hooks the ropes, blocking it. He quickly covers Jericho, who kicks out and goes right into the Walls of Jericho. Barrett is close to the ropes still, grabbing on for dear life. Jericho goes high risk, climbing to the top. He leaps off, but Barrett is ready, catching him with a left handed Bull Hammer! He covers to retain his Money in the Bank briefcase.
Bad News Barrett defeats Chris Jericho in 8:23!Bad News Barrett rises to his feet, still clutching his banged up right elbow. He was able to overcome it and use his left elbow to obtain the victory.
“King, normally the left elbow wouldn’t be as effective, but when you add in the momentum of Chris Jericho coming off the top rope, you’ve got a brilliantly executed move by Bad News Barrett” says Michael Cole. Barrett uses his good left arm to raise his Money in the Bank briefcase high in the air. He not only retained that, but now has eight points in the Survival Trials, moving him into fourth place.
A commercial runs for the brand new WWE 2K15 video game, which sponsors tonight’s Pay-Per-View. For the first time ever, you can play as your favorite WWE Superstars, Divas and Legends on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Things are now thrown to the Kickoff Panel. If you missed it earlier, Renee Young, Alex Riley, Booker T and Kofi Kingston are hosts this month. They discuss the two matches we’ve seen so far, with all of them surprised at the lengths that Dolph Ziggler went to in recapturing the Intercontinental Championship. Renee takes us back to the Kickoff Show, where the Miz took on Adrian Neville. Neville has had more than his share of issues with the Miz in recent weeks, even being thrown into a mirror this past week. Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t get revenge tonight as Miz bested him and scored two more points in the Survival Trials.
SURVIVAL TRIALS – DEAN AMBROSE (6) VS. SAMI ZAYN (8); His brothers square off later tonight, but for right now, Dean Ambrose is solely focused on Sami Zayn. Zayn, one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, offers a handshake before the match. Ambrose gives it a weird look and gives it kind of a slap. Sami smirks and they lock up. Both men struggle for an early upper hand but it is Sami, using his quickness, who gets the first advantage. He does so again, causing Ambrose to slap the mat in frustration.
“I don’t think Dean Ambrose expected this from Sami Zayn” says Jerry Lawler. When Sami nearly outmaneuvers Dean for a third time, Ambrose pulls him back by his tights and strikes with a knee to the spine. Dean smiles and points to his head, implying that he outsmarted Sami. We now get Dean going into some of his traditionally wild offense. He gets Sami in the corner and reels off chops and punches. Sami turns it around, putting him in the corner and chopping away. Dean switches and goes back to his offense before Sami ducks a right hand and hits the corner exploder.
“This has not taken any time at all to really get going” says Michael Cole. Sami runs in, looking for the Helluva Kick but Dean drops down and rolls to the outside. Sami goes for a dive and Dean again avoids it, so Sami backflips off the top rope, landing safely in the ring and continuing to frustrate and annoy the former US Champion. Dean comes in and takes down Sami, laying into him with multiple strikes. He climbs to the as Sami gets to his feet, connecting on a big elbow drop for a near fall. Dean sets for a double arm DDT but Sami spins out and catches him in a huge Blue Thunder Bomb that also only earns a two count. Sami is surprised at this, discussing it with the official. It gives Dean the chance to get up and run forward, but Sami is ready, locking him in the Koji Clutch! The crowd chants “please don’t tap” as Dean frantically searches for the ropes. He’s too far from any of them so he instead manages to roll over, pinning Sami’s shoulders to the mat to put him away.
Dean Ambrose defeats Sami Zayn in 8:30!The closing bell sounds and Dean Ambrose is officially declared the winner. Sami Zayn gets to his knees, in disbelief that he let a potential victory slip through his fingers. Had he won, Sami would have moved within just two points of Cody Rhodes, John Cena and Roman Reigns, who are tied with the most. Dean Ambrose slides out of the ring with a grin, evening his record in the Survival Trials at 4-4.
We are now taken to an ad for the WWE’s partnership with Susan G. Komen to raise awareness for Breast Cancer throughout the month of October. Various Superstars and Divas discuss how the disease have impacted their respective lives.
As we see the ominous Hell in a Cell lowering, a video package is now shown, going back to the middle of last year. AJ Lee wins the Divas Title from Kaitlyn at Payback, realizing her childhood dream and taking the Divas division by storm. While AJ Lee sent back challenges from every Divas imaginable, all the while putting down the Total Divas show, another woman was making waves in NXT. The “Anti-Diva” Paige bested Emma in the finals of a tournament to crown the first ever NXT Women’s Champion. AJ Lee set the record for longest reigning Divas Champion but constantly kept hearing about Paige. The night after WrestleMania XXX, when AJ retained her gold against thirteen other women, Paige made her main roster debut and instantly challenged her. AJ shrugged it off until they met at Extreme Rules in a Submissions match. AJ retained as Paige passed out while in the Black Widow. Not satisfied with that win, AJ challenged Paige once more, this time in Paige’s home country of England. There, in front of her mother, Paige ended AJ’s reign and won the Divas Championship. AJ Lee disappeared for months while Paige brought back the Women’s Championship. She sent back all challengers until AJ Lee returned. They had their rubber match at the historic Divas Smackdown event, only to have it interrupted by the Bella Twins. They agreed to meet inside of Hell in a Cell but as the match grew closer, things got more personal. After several brawls, AJ targeted Paige’s best friend Emma, tossing her off of the Smackdown stage. A distraught Paige called out AJ and both women ended up falling off of the Raw stage and through two tables. They haven’t been seen since, but tonight, it all finally comes to a head in a history making match.
WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP HELL IN A CELL MATCH – PAIGE (C) VS. AJ LEE; Both women show up with various wraps and bandages on from their fall this past Monday. Paige comes out second, slamming the Cell door hard behind her. AJ Lee wastes no time, sprinting through the middle rope and diving onto Paige. She lays into the Women’s Champion, but Paige holds nothing back, turning it around and firing away on the challenger.
“These two women are just going to war” says Michael Cole. Paige picks up AJ and throws her violently into the steel steps. Not content with that, Paige tries to grate AJ’s face into the steel side of the Cell, but AJ blocks it with her foot. She elbows Paige in the ribs and smashes her face into it instead. AJ slides Paige into the ring and pulls out a steel chair from under the ring.
“Oh no, this is getting way out of hand” says Jerry Lawler. AJ shouts for Paige to get up and when she does, she takes a healthy cut with the chair. Luckily, Paige ducks, goes behind AJ and nails a German suplex. Paige rolls onto the apron, while AJ Lee uses the ropes to help herself up. Paige sees an opening, grabbing AJ and firing off a bunch of hard knee strikes in a row. AJ falls to the mat, Paige follows in and delivers multiple headbutts, showing no remorse. She picks up AJ and hits the Paige Turner, covering but only getting a near fall. An angry look flashes across her face as she slides outside and aggressively lifts the ring apron skirt. The crowd comes unglued as she pulls a table out from there and puts it in the ring. She sets it up but has her back to AJ for too long, getting whacked with a steel chair. AJ follows with a second shot to the back before covering Paige, yet only getting two. AJ grabs the chair again and charges forward, but Paige is ready with a side kick, sending her staggering back. Paige’s back is beet red from the chair shots and you can see a bruise starting to form. She holds her back and runs at AJ in the corner, but is greeted with a kick. AJ climbs to the second rope and comes off with a cross body for another near fall. She wastes no time, moving into the Black Window!
“Is Paige going to tap this time? She has taken a lot of damage so far” says JBL. Paige somehow musters up the strength to take steps to the corner and backs AJ into it, breaking the hold. Paige turns around and sits AJ on the top rope. She looks back at the table behind her and the crowd realizes that she has some bad plans circling around her head. Paige climbs to the second rope, hooking AJ for a superplex through the table. Out of desperation, AJ fights her off, preventing the move. She levels Paige with two right hands before shoving her back. Paige nearly falls, but grabs the top rope to hold on. She pulls herself up but AJ shoves her again. This time one of Paige’s hands slips, though she still barely manages to hold on. AJ tries a third shove but Paige grabs her with the free hand and strikes with a headbutt. She hooks AJ again, but not for a superplex this time. Instead, she also grabs her legs, coming off the second rope with a massive Ram-Paige through the table! “Holy shit” chants are heard from the Dallas crowd, who are stunned at this turn of events. Both women are severely hurt but Paige manages to barely drape her arm over AJ, getting the pin and winning the rubber match.
Paige defeats AJ Lee to retain the WWE Women’s Championship in 12:21!The Dallas crowd rises to their feet, giving a standing ovation to the performances of two of the toughest women in the history of the WWE.
“We knew damn well this would be violent, but I don’t think anyone imagined it would involve steel chair shots and a damn Ram-Paige off the second rope through a table” says John “Bradshaw” Layfield. Outside of barely making the cover, Paige hasn’t moved much and AJ is still motionless. The referee calls for EMTs and medics to come out and help. As some show up, they’re able to help Paige exit the ring and help her to the backstage area. AJ is a different story as she is placed in a neck brace and a stretcher is brought out as the camera fades out.
Going backstage, Eden Stiles is standing by with the men getting a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles tonight,
CM Punk and
Daniel Bryan. Eden says that even though both men have stepped inside of the Hell in a Cell before, tonight has shown that things are more violent than ever inside those confines. Bryan speaks first saying that it doesn’t matter to them how physical things get tonight. “We are here to win the Tag Team Titles and hurt Batista and Randy Orton and that’s just what we’re going to do.” Punk, in his signature hoodie, talks next, saying that the previous two Cell matches were indeed very violent. “With everything that Batista, Randy Orton and the Authority have done to the two of us in the past, you haven’t seen anything yet. Parents, you may want to put the kiddies to bed early because this will not be for the faint of heart, this will not be for those of you with weak stomachs, this will not be for anyone that doesn’t like blood. Tonight is going to be a war and there will be casualties.”
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP – ALBERTO DEL RIO (C) VS. ALEXANDER RUSEV W/ LANA; Lana and Alexander Rusev wave the Bulgarian flag around, while Alberto Del Rio has his custom Mex-America flag. Rusev isn’t about to wait, attacking Del Rio as he put the flag outside, gaining an early advantage. He clubs away on Del Rio’s back, focusing all of his offensive onslaughts on that part of the body.
“This is a wise strategy by Rusev, he wants to set up for that Accolade later” says Jerry Lawler. With Del Rio worn down and on the mat, Rusev comes off the ropes for a diving headbutt but Del Rio rolls out of the way. Del Rio now pounces, kicking away at Rusev’s arm, backing him into the corner. He runs in with a big enziguri that actually puts Rusev down on the mat. He covers but Rusev kicks out as hard as possible. Del Rio doesn’t take time to react to the inability to keep him down, picking Rusev back up.
“Picking Rusev up may be a crucial mistake” says JBL. He surprises people with the strength to belly to belly suplex Rusev for another near fall. Del Rio whips him into the corner and charges but Rusev gets his elbow up. He sits Del Rio on the top and hoists him up for a super fallaway slam. Del Rio elbows his way out of it, slips under Rusev and somehow gets him tied up in the tree of woe. The fans cheer as Rusev finds himself in a compromising position. Del Rio goes to the apron, climbs to the top rope over Rusev and jumps down with a brutal double stomp. He has an opening, covering Rusev for the closest near fall in the undefeated run of Rusev so far. This time, Del Rio stops to check with the referee if the count was correct. He backs up to the corner, slapping his wrist in preparation for the Cross Armbreaker. Rusev staggers to his feet, in more trouble than ever before, and Del Rio goes for the submission. Rusev manages to avoid it and hits a big spinning side slam. Lana screams “CRUUUUSSSSHHH” from ringside as Rusev stomps on Del Rio’s back and locks in the Accolade. The pain is clear on Del Rio’s face as he fights to try and find a way out. It’s a futile effort though, as Del Rio is forced to submit.
Alexander Rusev defeats Alberto Del Rio to win the WWE United States Championship in 6:51!A wide smile spreads across the face of Lana as she goes around the ring and snatches the United States Title from ringside. Alexander Rusev doesn’t let go of the Accolade until she enters the ring and gives the signal. Once he releases it, she hands him the United States Title. Rusev looks at it before raising it high in the air and celebrating like a madman.
“Who, if anyone, is going to be able to take that title from Rusev? Nobody has even been able to defeat him yet” says Michael Cole. Rusev and Lana leave the ring, while Del Rio is left laid out in the middle of the ring.
The theme song for the Survival Trials, “Survival” by Eminem, plays as we are taken to a video package. It first shows a wwe.com poll asking fans who they believe had the best chance of winning the tournament. John Cena came in first by a fair margin. Cody Rhodes, his opponent for tonight, finished 8th out of 12. While Cena jumped out to an unbeaten start, Cody suffered a tough loss to the man currently in last place, the Miz. However, Cena would lose to Roman Reigns, while Cody kept winning. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and others all fell to Cody’s surprising run. Then, one week after the unbeaten Roman Reigns pinned Cena, Cody went out and defeated him! Entering tonight, to the surprise of many, Cody and Cena are tied (with Reigns) atop the standings with 12 points, but Cody is in first thanks to the tiebreaker. Before the video finishes, we see Cena’s recent words for Cody, telling him that he is still the measuring stick around here and if Cody wants to prove something, he has to beat him.
SURVIVAL TRIALS – CODY RHODES (12) VS. JOHN CENA (12); Getting back to Survival Trials matches, we haven’t had one this big just yet. Cody Rhodes and John Cena come face to face, clearing trading words. Cena offers a handshake, which Cody accepts. They lock up and go back and forth early on. Cena overpowers Cody a few times, but Cody uses his speed to outmaneuver the former 14 time World Champion. Cena gives a sly smirk when Cody bests him, seemingly impressed. They go at it again, with Cody slipping behind Cena, slamming him to the mat and peppering him in the back of the head. Now Cena rolls outside and looks a bit annoyed with Cody.
“I sense a little confidence and arrogance from Cody Rhodes tonight” says Michael Cole. Cena gets back inside and both men trade offense for a bit. Shoulder blocks from Cena are followed by his usual stuff and he calls for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. As he does the “you can’t see me” part, Cody lifts his foot and kicks him in the face. He runs forward, Cena ducks, and Cody springboards off the second rope with the Disaster Kick. He covers Cena for a near fall. Cody knows that he needs to take risks to beat someone like Cena, climbing to the top. He comes off with a moonsault but the ever powerful Cena catches him on his shoulder. He turns Cody to the side and nails the Attitude Adjustment. Cena covers but to the surprise of the WWE Universe, Cody gets his shoulder up.
“My goodness, did Cody Rhodes really just kick out of an AA?” asks Jerry Lawler. A stunned Cena looks shocked but gets back on the offensive, sending Cody off the ropes. Cena sets for a back body drop but Cody stops, drops and nails an uppercut. Cena staggers back into the corner, where Cody sits him up top. He grabs him in position and scores with a vicious looking muscle buster. The crowd pops but Cena again manages to kick out. Cody knows that he still has one item in his bag of tricks, picking Cena up and hitting Cross Rhodes! He takes a moment before pinning Cena, who still gets a shoulder up. The crowd can’t believe what they’re seeing. Cody is at a loss for what to do now. He literally stands around, while Cena is on the ground, in confusion. As he goes to grab Cena, he is tripped up and put in the STF!
“Is Cody gonna tap? He’s given this everything he’s got already” says Michael Cole. Cody is on agony, desperately trying to reach the ropes. Cena wrenches back as hard as possible just as Cody’s fingertips grasp the bottom rope. Cena has to release the hold and is out of breath as he rolls over. Cena stands behind Cody, waiting for him to get up. He hoists him up for a second AA, but Cody lands on his feet. He immediately springboards off the second rope with a Disaster Kick. Cena stumbles back to the ropes, bounces off right into a second Cross Rhodes from Cody, which is enough to defeat him.
Cody Rhodes defeats John Cena in 14:03!
A mixture of cheers and stunned silence fill the arena. Not only has Cody Rhodes beaten Roman Reigns in this tournament, but he has now done the unthinkable. He has cleanly defeated John Cena and becomes the first Superstar to reach 14 points. Cody stands up, letting out a roar as the fans give him a round of applause. He is now 7-1, while Cena falls to 6-2. Cena gets up, with his hands on his hips looking over at Cody. He walks over to Cody and raises his hand as Cody has clearly earned his respect.
“Buried Alive” by Logic is heard as a commercial airs promoting the next WWE Pay-Per-View, Survivor Series. On that night, the winner of the Survival Trials will stand across the ring from the “Beast Incarnate” himself, Brock Lesnar, with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line.
SURVIVAL TRIALS – ROMAN REIGNS (12) VS. SETH ROLLINS (6); Once both Superstars are in the ring, Roman Reigns extends his arm out for a trademark Shield fist bump. Seth Rollins, despite being the one to kick Reigns this past Monday, has been the uneasy member of the Shield as of late. He accepts the fist bump and the match is on. They start to trade right hands that you would expect to see in a match that was more personal than this. Rollins ducks two clotheslines from Reigns, hitting a Pele Kick after the second. He covers for two. Reigns powers up, shoving Rollins back into the corner and driving his shoulder into his midsection over and over. Reigns hits a big uppercut that actually sends Seth over the top and to the floor outside.
“The power of Roman Reigns is unbelievable” states Michael Cole. Reigns follows outside, where Seth is ready and whips him into the guardrail. Seth crawls inside, pointing for the referee to count.
“Seth Rollins seems more than happy taking a countout win” says Jerry Lawler. Reigns is not damaged enough, beating the count at eight. Seth stomps away as he enters the ring and runs off the ropes, hitting slingblade. Seth spends the next few minutes wearing down his powerhouse partner. He climbs to the top and leaps off with a frog splash but Reigns gets his knees up! Both men stand at the same time and Seth charges but gets caught in a huge Samoan drop. Reigns lays back on Seth for a near fall. He puts Rollins in the corner and reels off successive clotheslines, winding Seth. Seth falls to knees and leans over the second rope. Reigns sees an opening, exiting the ring and running around, hitting the drive by dropkick. The fans are in a frenzy as he enters the ring and calls for the Superman punch. He goes for it but Seth ducks and sweeps Reigns’ legs out from under him. Reigns gets back to his knees but Seth is ready with a superkick. He covers but Roman gets his shoulder up. Seth pulls his hair in frustration before grabbing Roman and hitting the Buckle Bomb. Reigns instantly pops out of the corner with the Spear and both men are now out cold. The referee starts to count.
“This just might end in a double countout” says JBL. Both guys find the strength to stand by the count of nine. Reigns runs forward and connects on the Superman punch this time! Reigns steps back, looking for the Spear. He makes a beeline for Rollins, but he leaps clean over Reigns, who crashes shoulder first into the steel post. Reigns falls out of the corner, dropping to his hands and knees. Seth comes off the ropes with the Curb Stomp, securing the three count.
Seth Rollins defeats Roman Reigns in 13:55!“Seth Rollins has just defeated his brother” shouts Michael Cole. Seth Rollins has his hand raised by the officials, getting a lot of cheers from the crowd but there are some boos. There is even a look of surprise on Seth’s face, since he has been stuck in a bit of a rut while Roman Reigns has been on quite the tear. Seth moves to 4-4, while Reigns is now in second place at 6-2 and holding the tiebreaker over John Cena. Reigns gets up and looks at Seth. They stare at each other for a few seconds before doing one more fist bump and Reigns exits, allowing Seth to enjoy his win.
A commercial airs to promote the debut of the newest show on the WWE Network, Rivalries. Relive some of the greatest feuds in history including Flair vs. Steamboat, Austin vs. McMahon, Lita vs. Trish and many others. The show premieres this Tuesday!
One final video package is shown before our main event. Clips are shown from Daniel Bryan’s feud with Randy Orton and Batista earlier this year before we see CM Punk’s return at Payback. “Crooked Smiles” by Framing Hanley plays over the video and we see Punk and Bryan getting assaulted by the Authority over the course of the year. Batista and Randy Orton winning the Tag Team Titles from the Usos at SummerSlam is highlighted as well as them taking out the Usos and putting them on the shelf. Bryan was also on the shelf after SummerSlam, but returned and was denied a World Title shot. Instead, he defeated Orton and earned a Tag Team Title shot. He chose Punk as his partner, leading us here.
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP HELL IN A CELL MATCH – BATISTA AND RANDY ORTON (C) VS. CM PUNK AND DANIEL BRYAN; Right from the start, this is a major brawl. All four men just go at each other, pounding away on one another all around the ring and Cell. CM Punk promised this wasn’t going to be for the faint of heart and goes right after proving that by grating Randy Orton’s face on the Cell wall. Meanwhile, inside the ring, Batista is just beating the hell out of Daniel Bryan in the corner. When he sees his partner in trouble, he follows out and clubs Punk in the back. Orton, now cut on the forehead, goes under the ring and pulls out two kendo sticks. He gives one to Batista and they both begin to stalk Punk.
“This does not bode well for the challengers” says Michael Cole. Before they can strike, Bryan comes off the top turnbuckle and wipes out Orton. Batista keeps Bryan down with a kendo stick shot to the back. He turns to hit Punk with one, but Punk greets him with a kick to the groin. Punk gets a steel chair and whacks Batista in the back with it. Batista rolls into the ring, getting away from him. Punk follows but is cut off by Orton. Punk takes a swing with the chair but Orton ducks and snaps off a gorgeous powerslam for two. Orton goes over to Batista, seemingly telling him a plan. Batista goes near the door and signals towards the entrance. Out walks
Stephanie McMahon to massive boos from the crowd.
“What the hell is this about?” asks Jerry Lawler. Stephanie has a key in her hand and unlocks the Cell door. Batista drags Punk’s body out of the Cell and slams the door shut. Stephanie locks Punk out and leaves to the back.
“Just like at WrestleMania, Bryan is all alone against Batista and Orton” states JBL. Batista and Orton surround Bryan, who has rolled back into the ring. They begin to put the boots to him before Orton picks up the steel chair. He just lays into Bryan’s back with several shots as Punk gets to his feet. He realizes that he’s outside of the Cell and tries to pry open the door. Of course, Punk is no Kane, so it’s to no avail. Orton points at him and laughs while Batista plants Bryan with a sickening spinebuster. They are just enjoying toying with Bryan. Batista shouts “THIS IS FOR WRESTLEMANIA” as he puts him in position for the Batista Bomb. Punk runs around the Cell looking for a way in before making a break for the backstage area. Orton laughs at this as Batista drops Bryan with the Batista Bomb. Batista covers but Orton stops him, saying that isn’t enough. He starts pounding on the mat for the RKO. CM Punk returns through the curtain with a sledgehammer in hand. The referees stand in front of the padlock, telling him that they can’t allow him to break in. A frustrated Punk has an idea and begins to climb the Cell. Orton hits the RKO inside of the ring but stops to see what Punk’s plan is.
“I have no idea what CM Punk is trying to do” says Jerry Lawler. Punk gets to the top and starts stomping on the Cell in one particular spot. He kicks with it all of his might before picking up the sledgehammer. Orton thinks its fine and signals for Batista that he wants to do the Batista Bomb/RKO combo. Punk pounds away on the ceiling with the sledgehammer, making progress and getting a square of the roof to come apart. Punk finishes it off with more stomps, finally getting it to hit the mat. This distracts Batista right before he can lift Bryan. Orton wants him to hurry just as Punk lowers himself down into the Cell. The fall is a long one, causing Punk to hit the mat and stay down for a second. Orton goes after Punk but is met with a sledgehammer shot to the ribs. Batista decides to just lift Bryan for the Batista Bomb, but the resilient former WWE Champion fights him off with right hands. He slips free but still just falls to the mat, in too much pain to really do anything. Punk comes over and trades blows with Batista, but the “Animal” proves to be too much and floors him after sending him off the ropes and nailing a spear. Batista gives directions to Orton, who steps back and seems to be looking to punt Punk. Punk gets to his hands and knees and Orton walks forward, but from out of nowhere, Bryan charges in with a Busaiku Knee! Batista is stunned and goes after Bryan. Bryan avoids him, picks up a steel chair and nails him in the stomach and back. Punk steps over and hoists Batista up onto his shoulders. He hits the Go to Sleep and before Batista hits the mat, Bryan lays him out with the Busaiku Knee! That combination allows both men to pin Batista, giving them the Tag Team Titles.
CM Punk and Daniel Bryan defeat Batista and Randy Orton to win the WWE Tag Team Championships in 20:52!The fans in attendance erupt as Daniel Bryan and CM Punk survive Hell in a Cell and become the WWE Tag Team Champions for the first time. The Hell in a Cell is raised while the two embrace in the center of the ring. They overcame two of the toughest men in WWE history, Stephanie McMahon locking CM Punk out of the Cell and Bryan being left all alone with Batista and Randy Orton. They get handed the titles and pose with them, knowing that they were earned in a grueling war tonight.
1. Cody Rhodes (7-1, 14 points)
2. Roman Reigns (6-2, 12 points)
3. John Cena (6-2, 12 points)
4. Dean Ambrose (4-4, 8 points)
5. Sami Zayn (4-4, 8 points)
6. Bad News Barrett (4-4, 8 points)
7. Alberto Del Rio (4-4, 8 points)
8. Seth Rollins (4-4, 8 points)
8. Adrian Neville (3-5, 6 points)
10. Sheamus (2-6, 4 points)
11. Chris Jericho (2-6, 4 points)
12. The Miz (2-6, 4 points)
Mr. McMahon on Raw!
Open Challenge on Raw!
Rey Mysterio returns!
The Survival Trials continue!
