The 2015Hell in a Cellwas the seventh annualHell in a Cellprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV) andlivestreamingeventproduced byWWE.It took place on October 25, 2015, atStaples CenterinLos Angeles,California.This was the first WWE pay-per-view, other thanSummerSlam,to be held in the city of Los Angeles sinceNo Way Outin February 2007. This was also the last Hell in a Cell event to be held before the reintroduction of thebrand extensionin July 2016.
Hell in a Cell | |||
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![]() Promotional poster featuringBrock LesnarandThe Undertaker | |||
Promotion | WWE | ||
Date | October 25, 2015 | ||
City | Los Angeles,California | ||
Venue | Staples Center | ||
Attendance | 17,505[1] | ||
WWE Networkevent chronology | |||
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Hell in a Cellchronology | |||
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Eight matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event,Brock LesnardefeatedThe Undertakerin aHell in a Cell match,their second match against each other in a Hell in a Cell match, the first one being atNo Mercyin October 2002. In the opening bout,Alberto Del Rio,who last wrestled for WWE in 2014, returned to answerJohn Cena's open challenge and defeat him to win theWWE United States Championship.
Production
editBackground
editHell in a Cellwas aprofessional wrestlingeventproduced annually in October byWWEsince 2009. Theconceptof the show came from WWE's establishedHell in a Cellmatch, in which competitors fought inside a 20-foot-high roofed cell structure surrounding the ring and ringside area. The main event match of the card was contested under the Hell in a Cell stipulation.[2][3][4]The 2015 event was the seventh Hell in a Cell and was held on October 25 atStaples CenterinLos Angeles,California.The event aired onpay-per-view(PPV) worldwide and waslivestreamedon theWWE Network.[5]
Storylines
editThe event comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows,RawandSmackDown.[6][7]
AtWrestleMania XXXin 2014, Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker to endthe streak.[8]A year later atBattleground,Lesnar was about to defeatSeth Rollinsfor theWWE World Heavyweight Championship,when the lights went out and Undertaker attacked Lesnar; Lesnar won the match by disqualification, but not the championship.[9]After a vicious brawl between the two on Raw, they would face off in a rematch atSummerSlam.Undertaker defeated Lesnar in controversial fashion; the timekeeper ringing the bell after seeing the Undertaker supposedly indicating submission; however, since the referee hadn't seen a submission and never stopped the match, the match continued. The confusion allowed Undertaker to surprise Lesnar with alow blowbefore trapping him in theHell's Gatesubmission hold,causing Lesnar to pass out, giving Undertaker the win, but not before Lesnarflipped him offbefore going unconscious from the submission hold.[10]AtNight of Champions,Lesnar was scheduled to face Undertaker for the final time in a Hell in a Cell match at the eponymous event. This would be their second match inside the structure against each other, as they faced off 13 years ago for the WWE Championship atNo Mercyin 2002.[11]
AtMoney in the Bank,Bray WyattcostRoman Reignsthe titularladder match,sparking a feud between the two.[12]This led to a match at Battleground where Wyatt defeated Reigns after interference from his formerWyatt FamilymemberLuke Harper.[9]The feud continued into SummerSlam where Reigns recruited formerShieldpartnerDean Ambroseto face Wyatt and Harper in atag team match,which Reigns and Ambrose won.[10]Then at Night of Champions, Wyatt, Harper, and recent new memberBraun Strowmanfaced off against Reigns, Ambrose, and their mystery partnerChris Jerichoin asix-man tag team match,which was won by The Wyatt Family.[11]On the September 21 episode ofRaw,Randy Ortonhelped Reigns and Ambrose fend off an attack by Wyatt, Harper, and Strowman.[13]Subsequently, Reigns challenged Wyatt to a Hell in a Cell match at the event, which Wyatt accepted in what was to be their final encounter.[14]A match pitting Ambrose and Orton against Harper and Strowman was also scheduled for the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show,[15]but after Orton suffered a shoulder injury, the match was cancelled.[16]
At Night of Champions,Kanereturned from injury as "Demon" Kane and attacked Seth Rollins after Rollins retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship againstSting.[11]AtLive from Madison Square Garden,Demon Kane attacked Rollins after Rollins lost toJohn Cenain a steel cage match.[17]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.[18]
At Night of Champions,The Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray DudleyandD-Von Dudley) had defeatedWWE Tag Team ChampionsThe New Day(Kofi KingstonandBig E,accompanied byXavier Woods) by disqualification, therefore not winning the titles.[11]At Live from Madison Square Garden, The Dudley Boyz again won by disqualification.[17]This led to another title match at Hell in a Cell.[18]
The event also included two more rematches from Night of Champions:CharlottedefeatedNikki Bellato win theDivas ChampionshipandKevin OwensdefeatedRybackto win theIntercontinental Championship.[11]Both champions had to defend their newly won titles against the former champions.[19]
An open challenge title defense byUnited States ChampionJohn Cena was also scheduled for the event.[16]
On the October 19 episode ofRaw,Sheamus,King Barrett,andRusevdefeatedDolph Ziggler,Cesaro,andNeville.Later that night, a rematch between the trios was scheduled for the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show.[16]
Event
editRole: | Name: |
---|---|
Englishcommentators | Michael Cole |
Jerry Lawler | |
John "Bradshaw" Layfield | |
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 | |
Dan Engler | |
Pre-show Panel | Renee Young |
Booker T | |
Corey Graves | |
Byron Saxton |
Pre-show
editDuring the Hell in a Cell Kickoff pre-show, Sheamus, King Barrett, and Rusev faced Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Neville. In the end, Ziggler performed asuperkickon Barrett and Cesaro performed aCesaro Swingon Barrett. Neville executed aRed Arrowon Barrett to win the match.[20]
Preliminary matches
editThe actual pay-per-view opened with John Cena's open Challenge for the WWE United States Championship.Zeb Colterinterrupted Cena's pre-match promo, introducing the returningAlberto Del Rioas Cena's opponent. The ending saw Del Rio counter anAttitude Adjustment,perform abackstabberand asuperkickon a kneeling Cena, and pinned him to win the title for the first time.[20]
Next, Roman Reigns faced Bray Wyatt in a Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Wyatt performed aside slamoff the ring apron though a table on Reigns and scored a near-fall. Reigns performed apowerbombon Wyatt through a table for a near-fall. Reigns performed aspearon 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 aSister Abigailon 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.[20]
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 performingTrouble in Paradiseto retain the titles.[20]
In the fourth match, Charlotte defended the WWE Divas Championship against Nikki Bella. The match ended when Charlotte forced Nikki to submit to theFigure-Eight Leglockto retain the title.[20]
After that, Seth Rollins defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane. During the match, Kane performed achokeslamon 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 aPedigreeto retain the title.[20]
In the penultimate match, Kevin Owens defended the Intercontinental Championship against Ryback. The match ended when Owens pinned Ryback after aPop-up powerbombto retain the title.[20]
Main event
editIn the main event, Brock Lesnar faced The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Undertaker shoved Lesnar into the ring post, causing Lesnar to bleed profusely for which he needed medical intervention and eight 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 twoF-5son Undertaker for near-falls. Lesnar struck Undertaker with the steel steps for a near-fall. Undertaker applied theHell's Gateon 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 achokeslamand aTombstone Piledriveron Lesnar, both onto the exposed ring floor, for a near-fall. In the end, Lesnar attacked Undertaker with alow blowand executed a third F-5 on Undertaker onto the exposed ring floor to win the match.[20]
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.[20]
Reception
editThe event received generally positive reviews from critics. Larry Csonka from411Maniagave the event a 7/10. He praised Wyatt vs. Reigns and Lesnar vs. Undertaker saying that both matches delivered.[21]The main event went on to win theSlammy Awardfor Match of the Year.
Aftermath
editThe night following the event, onRaw,Bray Wyatt explained that he wanted to claim The Undertaker's soul and obtain its powers. Kane then tried to attack Wyatt but got ambushed and attacked by The Wyatt Family and was also carried out to the backstage.[22]On the November 9 episode ofRaw,The Undertaker and Kane reemerged and attacked The Wyatt Family.[23]On the November 12 episode ofSmackDown,Wyatt challenged The Undertaker and Kane to a tag team match atSurvivor Seriesagainst two members of The Wyatt Family of his choosing, which they accepted later that night.[24]
On theRawfollowing the event,The Authorityheld a tournament by pitting the winners of their respective matches at Hell in a Cell against each other to determine the next number one contender to Seth Rollins' WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Roman Reigns would win the final fatal four-way match also involvingDolph Ziggler,Kevin Owens, and Alberto Del Rio to become the number one contender and face Rollins for the championship scheduled for Survivor Series.[22]On November 4, however, Rollins suffered multiple knee injuries during a house show inDublin,Irelandand was forced to vacate the title. A tournament was then scheduled to determine the new champion,[25]running through the weeks leading up to Survivor Series, with the semi-finals and finals held at Survivor Series. In the semi-finals, Reigns andDean Ambroseadvanced to the finals by defeating Del Rio and Owens, respectively.[26]
On the October 26 episode ofRaw,Paigecontinued to persuade Charlotte andBecky Lynchthat she did not attackNatalya.While still not convinced, Charlotte and Becky allowed Paige to join them as PCB and facedTeam Bella(Alicia Fox,Nikki Bella, andBrie Bella) on that night in a losing effort. After the match, Paige attacked Charlotte and Lynch, cementing her heel turn.[22]On the November 2 episode ofRaw,Paige defeated Lynch,Sasha Banks,and Brie in a fatal four-way match to determine the number one contender for the WWE Divas Championship.[27]
After Hell in a Cell,Jack Swaggerbriefly 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.[22]
Meanwhile, John Cena took a hiatus from wrestling to film the reality seriesAmerican Grit.He returned on the December 28 episode ofRawand challenged Del Rio to a title match, which Cena won by disqualification afterThe League of Nations(Sheamus and Rusev) interfered, but not the title.[28]
The 2015 Hell in a Cell was the final Hell in a Cell event held before the reintroduction of thebrand extensionin July 2016, in which WWE again split the roster between theRawandSmackDownbrands where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform.[29]Along with this second brand split came brand-exclusive PPVs, and the2016 eventwas held exclusively for the Raw brand.[30]
Results
editReferences
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