Originally, WWE’s plan for the October 25th WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view was to have Charlotte defend the WWE Divas Championship against Paige and Nikki Bella in a triple-threat match.
There has been speculation as of late, however, that Banks may be added in with Paige and Bella, making Charlotte’s defense a fatal four way.
It looks like the angle may play out on tonight’s WWE RAW. WWE posted the following teaser for tonight’s show:
Paige’s streak of stealing the spotlight ceased at Madison Square Garden on Saturday when Charlotte and Becky Lynch turned the tables on her by abandoning her during their match against Team Bella. However, while that situation continues to develop, the members of Team B.A.D. are stealthily positioning themselves as a serious threat to Charlotte’s Divas Championship reign. In SmackDown’s Six-Diva Tag Team Match, Team B.A.D. defeated Team Bella when Sasha Banks made Nikki Bella — the longest-reigning Divas Champion of all time — tap out to the Bank Statement.
As the Divas division continues to implode, will Team B.A.D. continue to capitalize on the chaos this week?
As previously reported during this week’s edition of SmackDown Roman Reigns challenged Bray Wyatt to a Hell in a Cell match at the Hell in a Cell PPV on the 25th of October. WWE has since confirmed the match will be taking place inside the HIAC structure. From WWE.com:
“Their brawls have smashed through ringside barricades and shattered announce tables, but on Sunday, Oct. 25, Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt will fight to a finish inside Hell in a Cell, live on WWE Network. The match will be both Superstars’ first voyage into the career-changing structure.
With the Cell door locked, no other Superstars will be able to enter the fray, raising the stakes for this deeply personal rivalry. In the past months, the Reigns-Wyatt beef has at times teetered on full-blown turf-war status, entangling Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper, Braun Strowman and even Chris Jericho. At WWE Hell in a Cell, however, Reigns and Wyatt will be left entirely to their own devices….
Who will emerge from the inhospitable Hell in a Cell as the clear victor? Watch the brutal conflict when it airs live from Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center Sunday, Oct. 25, only on the award-winning WWE Network.”
It was announced at Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings from Albany that Roman Reigns will face Bray Wyatt inside Hell in a Cell at the October 25th pay-per-view. (SmackDown Spoilers)
Their match on RAW was hyped as the blowoff to their feud, but this rivalry continues for at least another month.
The only other match confirmed for the show is Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker, also inside the Cell. Click here to find out who is favored to win that match according to the opening betting odds.
As of this writing, the only match that’s been announced for next month’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view is the Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker main event. According to the Wrestling Observer, the following matches are also planned for the card:
– WWE Champion Seth Rollins vs. Kane
– Kevin Owens vs. Ryback for the IC title
– The New Day vs. The Dudley Boyz in a Tables Match for the WWE tag titles
– Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella vs. Paige
– Wyatt Family vs. Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton
– JBL and Eric Bischoff are getting rave reviews for part 1 of their Legends With JBL interview that aired on the WWE Network after RAW. Future guests on the show will include Ron Simmons and “Road Dogg” BG James.”
– Total Divas preview for tonight: “The ladies travel to Tulum, Mexico, for a vacation, during which Paige announces her engagement. Meanwhile, the Bellas learn they have a new sibling; and Alicia puts Trinity’s relationship with Jon at risk.”
– WWE Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Paige vs. Nikki Bella is scheduled for next month’s WWE Hell In a Cell pay-per-view, according to Wrestling Observer Radio.
During Sunday night’s Night of Champions pay-per-view, it was announced that Brock Lesnar will square off against The Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell at the upcoming HIAC PPV on Sunday, October 25th from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
The blockbuster rematch is part of the Brock Lesnar’s October “Go To Hell Tour” – which kicks off on Saturday, October 3rd, when Brock Lesnar competes against the Big Show at Madison Square Garden. The house show will stream live on the WWE Network.
On Monday, October 19th, Brock Lesnar joins Steve Austin on the Stone Cold Podcast, which airs on the WWE Network immediately following RAW.
– There is a pre-sale going on right now for tickets to this year’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view. You can access the pre-sale with the code word: LAVIP. WWE Hell In A Cell 2015 takes place on October 25th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
– As noted earlier this week, WWE Hall Of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper spoke about the Hulk Hogan racism controversy during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. The show has released video footage of the appearance, which you can check out below.
– WWE Diva Tamina Snuka made her in-ring return during the company’s recent European tour. Most recently, Snuka has been working as a bodyguard for Naomi during non-televised WWE live events. There is no definitive word yet as to whether or not they will be using Snuka and Naomi as a pair on television, however WWE generally tends to try matches and angles out on live events before bringing them to television, so it’s definitely a possibility.
– WWE performer and movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently took to Instagram to extend some praise for WWE Diva Eva Marie. “The Great One” wrote the following:
“Thank you to my homegirl Eva Marie for this very cool birthday message. What impresses me most about her is that she has a certain drive and determination that can only come from someone who knows what it’s like to have been down and to have struggled. Eva’s struggle has clearly created a fierce focus in her which is so cool to see and here’s the best part… she’s willin’ to put in the daily hard ass work to achieve and accomplish all of her goals in — and outside of the ring. It’s a real pleasure working with and mentoring this woman. Road is long and we’re just gettin’ started.. Plus I gave my word to our agent @bslater9 that I’ll make sure she always handles her business like a straight up G. #FutureWWEDivaChamp #OD #LetsGetToWork”
– WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley noted on Twitter that the four teeth that were damaged in his infamous 1998 Hell In A Cell match with The Undertaker at the King Of The Ring pay-per-view will have to be replaced. “The Hardcore Legend” tweeted the following:
As noted, WWE filed a lawsuit in the state of California to prevent the selling of undisclosed merchandise in the area during WrestleMania 31 week. In the paperwork that was filed, WWE’s entire pay-per-view schedule through March of 2016 — including the total amount of seats available for those events — were released.
Below is a list of pay-per-view dates, locations and seating capacity:
The listed capacities for the PPV shows for the next year are as follows:
– Extreme Rules in Chicago (12,921)
– Payback on 5/15 in Baltimore (11,389)
– Money in the Bank 6/14 in Columbus, OH (13,275)
– Battleground 7/19 in St. Louis 14,569)
– SummerSlam on 8/23 in Brooklyn (13,438)
– Night of Champions on 9/20 in Houston (11,580)
– Hell in a Cell on 10/25 in Los Angles (14,240)
– Survivor Series on 11/22 in Atlanta (14,349)
– TLC on 12/13 in Boston (13,837)
– Royal Rumble on 1/24 in Orlando (13,000)
– Fastlane on 2/21 in St. Louis (14,569)
Additionally, the go-home Raw for WrestleMania next year will be on 3/28 in Washington, DC. The schedule also lists NXT specials on 5/20, 8/12 and 11/7.
WWE pay-per-view events generated $3.9 million in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014, down from $15.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, $13.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $14.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
The WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view in October drew 83,000 buys, which was down from the 228,000 buys for the show in 2013, 199,000 buys in 2012, 182,000 buys in 2011, 210,000 buys in 2010 and 283,000 buys in 2009.
The WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view in November drew 100,000 buys, which was down from the 177,000 buys in 2013, 208,000 buys in 2012, 281,000 buys in 2011, 244,000 buys in 2010 and 235,000 buys in 2009.
The WWE TLC pay-per-view in December drew 39,000 buys, which was down from the 181,000 buys in 2013, 175,000 buys in 2012, 179,000 buys in 2011, 195,000 buys in 2010 and 228,000 buys in 2009.
The following are highlights of a new Chad Dukes Wrestling Show interview with Bray Wyatt
On the image projected from the lantern during the Hell in a Cell finish: “One thing and I want to get this out there so no one’s misconstrued, that was not Abigail… I don’t think anyone has looked closely enough. I think everyone skipped over that part and chocked it up to being some fancy illusion or something. I don’t ever do something just to be doing it. There’s always a point behind everything.”
On the Wyatt Family: “There is no breakup. That’s another thing I’d like to get out there. There’s friction between [Harper & Rowan] and that’s kinda part of the issue, is relinquishing some of that. When the Wyatt family is needed, the Wyatt Family will always be, and that’s the way I designed it, and that’s the way it will go on for ten, fifteen, who knows how long. The Wyatt Family is far from over, I can assure you of that. “I’m very proud of [Rowan], sometimes. He’s done some things since we split that I haven’t necessarily agreed with. I’m not so sure he’s a genius with a big IQ, I’m actually a hundred percent sure of that. [Laughs] But Harper is the Intercontinental Champion and that’s exactly where he belongs and why he needed to go out on his own. Because Harper is one of the greatest, most malicious entities in the entire WWE. He should be free to go after things like that.”
On Dean Ambrose: “This feud with me and Dean, if you look back at the Shield and all that, me and Dean Ambrose years ago would just be killing each other with bull ropes in armories all over Florida in front of ten people. I think it will go on forever. As long as we both can walk and survive after TLC.”
On Dream Matches: “I couldn’t help but notice that me and Steve had this natural chemistry together. I wish he’d lace the boots up. I’d really like to steal a couple shows with him… I still have my set matches that I think that I can possibly accomplish, but there’s four names that always keep reoccurring that would be big enough to be my dream matches: Jake Roberts, Steve Austin, Undertaker, & Sting. I want to get all four of those in my career and I’d like to. I’m not saying it’s not a possibility, I think I could get all four of those.”
On the Brass Ring comment: “I heard about the brass ring and all that, as far as I’m concerned my fingertips are already grasping that sucker right now. And if I don’t, if I never grab that sucker, I’m at least gonna yank it down and everyone’s coming down with me.”
WWE Superstar Bray Wyatt was recently a guest on the Chad Dukes Wrestling Show. Bray spoke about a number of topics, including the controversial hologram from the conclusion of WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, Sister Abigail and his former Wyatt Family members, Rowan and Harper.
Regarding the hologram that appeared at the end of the Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose match at Hell in a Cell, Wyatt said:
“One thing and I want to get this out there so no one’s misconstrued, that was not Abigail. I don’t think anyone has looked closely enough. I think everyone skipped over that part and chocked it up to being some fancy illusion or something. I don’t ever do something just to be doing it. There’s always a point behind everything.”
He added that the Wyatt Family is not officially broken up, despite Rowan and Harper’s recent feud.
“There is no breakup. That’s another thing I’d like to get out there. There’s friction between [Harper & Rowan] and that’s kinda part of the issue, is relinquishing some of that. When the Wyatt Family is needed, the Wyatt Family will always be, and that’s the way I designed it, and that’s the way it will go on for ten, fifteen, who knows how long. The Wyatt Family is far from over, I can assure you of that.”
Regarding the recent revelation that Erick Rowan is apparently a genius, Wyatt said:
“He’s done some things since we split that I haven’t necessarily agreed with. I’m not so sure he’s a genius with a big IQ, I’m actually a hundred percent sure of that. [Laughs] But Harper is the Intercontinental Champion and that’s exactly where he belongs and why he needed to go out on his own.”
Wyatt is currently engaged in a heated feud with Dean Ambrose, an opponent that he’s been dealing with for years.
“This feud with me and Dean, if you look back at the Shield and all that, me and Dean Ambrose years ago would just be killing each other with bull ropes in armories all over Florida in front of ten people. I think it will go on forever. As long as we both can walk and survive after TLC.”
– As noted, the WWE Hell In A Cell 2014 pay-per-view drew 76,000 buys on actual pay-per-view. The breakdown for the show in terms of PPV purchases saw 21,000 domestic buys and the other 56,000 coming from international markets.
The previous low for a WWE pay-per-view event domestically was also 21,000. The fact that the international numbers on PPV for that particular show were up was due to the fact that Hell In A Cell was a paid show in the United Kingdom.
– Below are some recent WWE attendance figures.
November 30th in Springfield, MO drew 3,700 fans
December 1st in Tulsa, OK for RAW drew 6,000 fans
WWEhas reported preliminary pay-per-view buyrate data for October’s Hell in a Cell event, which did approximately 77,000 buys.
The show, which was headlined by Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins and John Cena vs. Randy Orton in a #1 contender’s match, did 21,000 buys domestically and 56,000 buys internationally.
By comparison, last year’s event, which took place prior to the launch of the WWE Network, did 228,000 buys and featured then-WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan with Shawn Michaels as the special referee.
While the WWE Network continues to take a huge chunk out of the domestic PPV buyrates, Hell in a Cell’s 77,000 buys was actually up compared to September’s Night of Champions show, which did 48,000 buys on pay-per-view.
WWE Superstar and current “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins told Sam Roberts during a recent podcast interview that he didn’t expect to face Dean Ambrose at the most recent WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view.
“It came about sort of unexpectedly,” Rollins said. “I didn’t think we were going to go back there after SummerSlam and the night after, but the opportunity presented itself and we were able to capitalize on our opportunity as we have on all of our opportunities in the past.”
Rollins alao spoke about not being allowed to bleed during the HIAC match with Ambrose. “I don’t think it was that terribly difficult,” he said. “Sometimes it’s difficult for guys in our era who saw the other Hell in a Cell matches that preceded us and how much in our opinion the blood maybe the blood added to the match. One thing that’s great is we’ve gone without it for so long that a good portion of our audience doesn’t know the difference.”
Check out the complete Seth Rollins appearance on the Sam Roberts podcast above.
The following are highlights of a recent Jim Ross website Q&A update:
On longer WWE PPVs on the WWE Network and Hell In A Cell running short: “It’s impossible for me to say but WWE’s goal used to be to get as close to a three hour PPV as possible. I’m thinking that the show simply went short and someone missed a time cue.”
On who the nicest people in wrestling are outside the ring: “There are many good guys outside the ring too many to start mentioning here or to erroneously leave off a list. It mirrors life…there are good people to be around while there are others that aren’t.”
On Brock Lesnar and the WWE title rarely appearing on TV or PPVs: “I had no isue only seeing Brock occasionally on RAW but to not see him for endless stretches of time isn’t a good scenario for WWE or their fans. Apparently, WWE made a financial deal that isn’t company or fan friendly.”
On if he’d like CM Punk to call the NJPW Tokyo Dome show with him: “That’s not my job. I’d love to work with him nonetheless but it’s not likely.”
For more JR Q&A updates, check out JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
As you might have picked up on, the top priority for WWE television this past week was to elevate Ryback back to the top-tier status he enjoyed prior to his lost to CM Punk at Hell in a Cell 2013.
Speaking of Ryback, he’s official for “Team Cena” at the upcoming WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 23rd, as he joins team captain John Cena and team members Dolph Ziggler, Big Show and Sheamus.
On the other end of the match, which is a traditional ten-man elimination style match with the big Authority stipulation, is Seth Rollins, Kane, Mark Henry, Rusev and Luke Harper.
Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt and Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee for the WWE Divas Championship are the only other two matches official for the show thus far.
As noted, Adam Rose vs. The Bunny in a Kickoff Show match and a WWE Tag-Team Championship four-way with Goldust & Stardust vs. The Usos vs. Los Matadores vs. The Miz and Damien Mizdow is also expected.
Mr. Money In The Bank Seth Rollins recently spoke with The Liverpool Echo to promote WWE’s ongoing European tour. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Favorite Memories Of The Shield:
“We had so many. You know, you mention the first match, the first pay-per-view we ever did as The Shield, nobody had any idea what to expect from us as performers inside the ring, we had only beat up their favourite guys, on a weekly basis up until that point! It was going to be an interesting situation and sure enough we delivered, we exceeded expectations I would like to think, and we were up and running from there.
“Over the next two years we got to do lots of crazy stuff, we got to have great matches with the Wyatts, we got to be in two WrestleManias, we got to wrestle The Undertaker on Raw, there are so many great memories, it’s real hard to pick just one.”
What It Was Like To Headline Hell In A Cell With Dean Ambrose:
“Aside from main eventing WrestleMania you really can’t get any bigger than that. You’ve got two guys under the age of 30-years-old, who have been on the main roster for less than three years, and we’re main eventing a pay-per-view, a major pay-per-view, Hell In A Cell, on a show that also features John Cena versus Randy Orton in a Hell In A Cell match as well. So that’s a major milestone, and that’s something that I’m real proud of, something that I’m going to take with me for a long time.
“It’s basically a feather in our caps that we were able to put that together and make that mean so much. I think that’s a testament to all the hard work and time that we’ve spent, just putting in the work, just grinding it out, and getting to that point. It was definitely terrifying up there but after the whole thing was done, I’m glad we had the opportunity to do that, and I’m glad we knocked it out the park.”
If He Ever Dreamt Of His Current Success In WWE:
“That’s always been the goal from day one and it will continue to be the goal moving forward. There is no other place I’d rather be and there is no other place I imagine myself.”
Ahead of his match against Dean Ambrose at Hell in a Cell this Sunday, Seth Rollins spoke to Digital Spy.
Since the former Shield teammates are ‘co-main eventing’ the show with John Cena and Randy Orton, Rollins was asked whether he cares which match is going to be on last.
“Yeah, it is. I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that it was. We won’t know the answer to that question till Sunday comes. Of course it’s important. I want to go on last every single night, regardless of the match, regardless of the show,” Rollins said.
“But you throw in the added element that we’re going up against a Cena-Orton match, which has been headlining pay-per-views for the last decade, that’s something huge. That’s a big thing to be able to go on after that match and exceed all the expectations.
“That’s important. I want that challenge, I want that responsibility and I wanna go on last and I wanna be known as the guy who goes on last every single night. That’s important to me.”
After nearly cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase on Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions, Rollins had an interesting chat with Paul Heyman afterwards. Rollins was asked whether it’s possible he will be a “Paul Heyman Guy.”
“You never know. Paul’s a very intelligent guy, a good guy to have on your side, clearly. He’s representing, advocating for the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion and I’d never rule it out,” said Rollins. “I’d be lying if I’d tell you right now that I’ve never taken a piece of advice from Paul Heyman, ‘cos I surely have. And there’ll probably be more pieces of advice in the future that I’ll take from him. Paul’s a guy who’s always helped me out, always been on my side.”
Another “Paul Heyman Guy” was CM Punk. Rollins was asked whether he will ever be back, possibly before WrestleMania 31.
“Before WrestleMania 31 highly, highly unlikely. Down the road? Part of me was 100% sure he’d be back at some point but the longer he’s away, the more it makes me wonder that maybe he’s gone. He spent a good portion of his life dedicated to this business, it’s good for him to maybe get away,” Rollins said.
“He’s done all there really is to do. So I hope that he’s happy and I hope that he’s doing well for himself and enjoying his life away from wrestling. You know, that’s what we all work for is to be able to retire early and enjoy our lives, so I hope that’s the case for him.”
Rollins also discussed Hell in a Cell memories, his rivalry with Randy Orton and the NXT star he feels is the one to watch. The full interview is available here.
The following are highlights of a DC 101 interview with WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee:
If we’ll ever see Divas in Hell In a Cell: “I can tell you for sure that women like myself and Paige are down for it, and I think more than capable of hanging with the guys in that kind of scenario, because we’re insane and we like to jump off of stuff!” “I think if anyone could do it we could, but if it’s not in my generation, it needs to happen someday, and I really think women could handle that.”
Possible contenders for the Divas Title after Paige: “I see so much potential in people who haven’t particularly gotten that opportunity yet, like Emma and Summer and even Lana. I think they are interesting characters and women who have a lot of potential and I would love to something that’s vastly different with one of those girls. Just someone we haven’t seen yet get a chance.”
What really made her love wrestling: “Anything with Eddie Guerrero, especially WrestleMania 20 because I was at that one. Just to see the confetti and him crying and holding the title. Anything that he was in I was drawn to. I liked having a character that wasn’t 100% good or 100% evil, he just rode that line.”
The latest edition of Michael Cole’s weekly sit-down interview with Triple H has been added to the official WWE YouTube channel.
In this week’s interview, which you can see above, “The Game” talks to Cole about his history inside Hell In A Cell, Rusev attacking a U.S. soldier on RAW and more.
Dean Ambrose spoke to Xfinity.Comcast.com this week to hype his match against Seth Rollins at Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
How He Plans To Stand Out This Sunday:
“Going into anything like this, you want to put your own stamp on it. You want to do something that’s never been done before. I hate a formula. I hate stepping in the footsteps of those that came before me. And Seth has the same mindset. Even though we’re enemies and opponents, and are going to be trying to rip each other’s heads off in the Cell.”
Wanting To Outshine John Cena and Randy Orton:
“(Laughs) If you know anything about me, you know that I don’t have any trepidation. I’m not going to walk into there shaking in my boots. It’ll be my first time and Seth Rollins’ first time. I’m not afraid to take a risk. And Seth Rollins isn’t afraid to take a risk. I don’t see anything that Seth Rollins can do to me, or the Authority, or the Cell is anything worse than anything I’ve been through. I’m looking to raise the bar a little bit. And it’s hard because the Cell is a lot higher than it used to be.”
Comparing His Rise To Steve Ausin’s:
“There’s no confusing me and Steve Austin. (Laughs) There will never be another Steve Austin. As far as taking an opportunity like that….the thing I like about Steve Austin is his tenacity, his work ethic, and his…”Screw you, you’re not taking food off of my plate” thing. I’ve starved and lived on the road. And I’m not letting anyone walk all over me. That intensity…a lot of people they get so caught up in the grind here, so it’s hard to bring that 100% intensity every night. Steve Austin, you watch his old stuff, he never took a breath. Working Steve Austin must’ve been exhausting.”
Fans are only days away from the annual Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Emanating from Dallas, TX, this year’s event will feature a total of eight matches, including a WWE World Heavyweight Championship-less double main event.
With the title being noticeably absent, the company will hopefully try to pull out something to make this a memorable pay-per-view. Here are five potential Hell in a Cell shockers.
Following Tuesday night’s WWE television tapings, where it was announced that Dolph Ziggler will be putting his WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line in a two-out-of-three falls match against Cesaro, below is the latest official lineup for this Sunday’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view:
Hell In a Cell Match
– John Cena vs. Randy Orton
Hell In a Cell Match
– Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose
WWE Tag Team Title Match
– Goldust & Stardust (c) vs. The Usos
WWE Divas Title Match
AJ Lee (c) vs. Paige
WWE Intercontinental Title Match (2 out of 3 Falls)
– Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Cesaro
WWE United States Title Match
– Sheamus (c) vs. The Miz
Loser Must Be “Assistant” To Winner For 30 Days
– Nikki Bell vs. Brie Bella