Hell in a Cell 2012 Review

The WWE brought its cell as well as its hell in Atlanta, Georgia this past Sunday night. So what happened inside the Georgia Dome?

Did the World Heavyweight Champ Sheamus conquer The Big Show?

Was Team Hell No able to work together to get past The Rhodes Scholars?

And did WWE Champion CM Punk escape the hungry clutches of Ryback?

The answers to these questions, along with a few of my thoughts, are all included in this review of the Hell in Cell pay-per-view.


Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio

Some nice back-and-forth action along with a decent deal of story-telling made this a very solid curtain jerker.

Orton finished off Del Rio with an incredible RKO stemming off a sudden counter. These two certainly set a positive tone to the show here.

Grade: B-

Tag Team Championship: Team Hell No vs. Team Rhodes Scholars

I'm a huge fan of this revived tag team division and a strong advocator for both teams. This match, however, wasn't really something to write home about.

It was your typical Team Hell No match. Kane and Bryan were never on the same page throughout the match. Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow were solid, but still, nothing that noteworthy.

Photo credit: WWE.com

Team Hell No retained after Kane was disqualified for excessive action.

Grade: C-

Intercontinental Championship: Kofi Kingston (c) vs. The Miz

Nothing too surprising here.

Kofi retains in an average match after nailing the Trouble in Paradise. Kingston's unusual post-match interview was probably more interesting than the bout itself.

Grade: D+

United States Championship: Antonio Cesaro (c) vs. Justin Gabriel

At least it was better than their match on Raw this past Monday. Cesaro retains in a match worthy for a bathroom break.

Grade: D

Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs. The Primetime Players

Again, this was a match we usually get on free TV. 

Mysterio and Cara defeat The Primetime Players after a 619 connected with Darren Young's face.

Grade: D

World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus (c) vs. The Big Show

It started off rather slow, but this slobber knocker between Sheamus and Show did pick up at its conclusion.

After a failed Brogue Kick attempt, Big Show landed a WMD on Sheamus. Show got the three-count and is your new World Heavyweight Champion.

Photo credit: WWE.com

Grade: C

Divas Championship: Eve (c) vs. Layla vs. Kaitlyn

I have a 400-word limit on this article so I refuse to waste anything I have left on this one. Eve wins.

Grade: D+

WWE Championship: CM Punk vs. Ryback

Talk about disappointing.

It was nice to see Ryback finally find himself in somewhat of a vulnerable situation as he did sell some of Punk's moves. Overall, however, this match was an unfortunate victim of poor time management by the producers backstage.

In a very short main event, Punk retained after a screwy ending saw the mysterious referee deliver a low blow and fast three-count to Ryback. Ryback ended the show with a Shell Shock to Punk on the of the cell.

Photo credit: WWE.com

Grade: C

Even though I did expect it, this pay-per-view wasn't particularly memorable. Oddly enough, Orton and Del Rio gave us the match of the night with the very time limited main event coming up short.

Overall Grade: D+

For more in-depth coverage and photos of the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, visit this link at WWE.com.