WWE is used to booking big matches for its annual Hell in a Cell event and if the rumors are true, this year’s event could have a couple of top notch bouts.
This year’s Hell in a Cell event is scheduled for Sept. 16 in San Antonio. According to ABC KSat 12 two matches that are being advertised are a WWE Championship bout between A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe, as well as a match with Kevin Owens taking on Roman Reigns.
Below is the announcement.
SAN ANTONIO – One of the biggest events in World Wrestling Entertainment is headed to San Antonio.
WWE’s ‘Hell In A Cell’ will be held Sept. 16 at the AT&T Center.
Wrestlers compete inside a 20-foot-high roofed cage that surrounds the ring and ringside area.
Fans will get to see Roman Reigns take on Kevin Owens, and WWE Champion AJ Styles versus Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship.
A couple of things to keep in mind, fight fans. One is WWE hasn’t officially announced these matches for Hell in a Cell, and cards are always subject to change. The second is neither match has been confirmed to be a Hell in a Cell.
But if both of these matches are penciled in for this year’s event and will indeed take place in the Devil’s Playground, this year’s event could be a classic event.
First, let’s address Reigns versus Owens. The release does not say anything about the match being for the WWE Universal Championship. There is speculation that current titleholder Brock Lesnar will drop the belt at Summerslam to Reigns, Seth Rollins or even Braun Strowman. With apparent contract problems between Lesnar and WWE, there is a chance he could drop the belt sooner.
Even if the WWE Universal Championship isn’t on the line, Reigns-Owens can still have a big fight feel to it as both wrestlers have several championships and classic matches between them.
While some have criticized the way Owens has been booked in the last year, he’s been in prominent angles all the back to last year’s Hell in a Cell when he defeat Shane McMahon and started the genesis for best friend Sami Zayn’s heel turn.
Belt or not, Owens is the right candidate for Reigns to face in this year’s Hell in a Cell. Fans love KO because of his in-ring ability, promo skills and his dedication to being a heel. While he isn’t afraid to go for the jugular when it comes to trash talking adversaries, Owens understands the importance in making his opponents look good. That said, he’ll make Reigns work for his promos.
While there is little chance the fans will cheer Reigns, Owens isn’t the type of wrestler to let the fans hijack the match.
Reigns-Owens at Hell in a Cell could be a show stealer, but fans needs to give the match a chance before they start booing and doing the wave.
Next there is the WWE Championship match between Styles and Joe. Both men are great in the ring and have a dangerous striking and submission set, and they can deliver on the microphone.
Joe versus Styles has been a dream match for WWE fans since the Samoan Submission Machine came to Smackdown Live during this year’s Superstar Shakeup. They had classic matches during their time with TNA – their match with Christopher Daniels in 2005 at Unbreakable was given five stars by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
This means that Styles will likely retain the WWE title in his match against Rusev at Extreme Rules – but again plans can change.
If Styles and Joe are going to clash in a Hell in a Cell, it likely means they will face off at Summerslam for their first encounter and build toward their rematch in September.
Again, neither of these matches are confirmed for Hell in a Cell 2018, but if both matches come into fruition, it will be a fun night for the WWE Universe.
