WWE’s Hell in a Cell featured three matches with that namesake and five titles on the line.

Randy Orton becomes WWE Champion, defeats Drew McIntyre (Hell in a Cell Match)

Match: The third installment of this heated rivalry was brutal. Before McIntyre enter the cell, Orton orchestrated a surprise attack on the champion. The two titans circled the cell and traded blows. They ultimately entered the cell and the match officially started. The King of Claymore Country held the early lead with an attack with both a steel chair and the steel stairs. His Claymore attempt failed, and that opened the door for Orton to turn the tables. After trading blows, The Viper broke the lock on the cell, and he then led the champion outside the cage and to the top of the cell. McIntyre followed and the duked it out. On their way down the side of the cell, Orton tossed McIntyre through the announce table. Back in the ring, McIntyre tried another Claymore, but Orton countered with an RKO and claimed his 14^th world title.

Analysis: This match was physical and worth the wait. Orton was ascending to the WWE Title for months, and it was just a matter of time before The Apex Predator had the gold around his waist. After their Ambulance Match, this showdown was set up to be a brutal clash, and it was. The action on the top of the cell was an homage to the classic Undertaker-Mick Foley showdown, though a bit clumsy. Overall, it was an exciting match, and hats off to McIntyre. He shined in his first Hell in a Cell match, but an Orton win seemed inevitable.

Look Ahead: McIntyre should remain in the title hunt. He should have a rematch with The Viper, but it would be surprising to see The King of Claymore Country reach the top of the mountain again so quickly. An Orton-Edge title match seems likely. We have not seen the last of Edge, and it only makes sense that The Apex Predator and The Rated-R Superstar square off at least one more time – now with the business’ most coveted prize on the line.

Bobby Lashley retains United States Championship, defeats SLAPJACK

Match: RETRIBUTION laid out a challenge to The Hurt Business – a one-on-one match where MVP picks the contestants. MVP selected Lashley and SLAPJACK and upped the stakes by making it a United States Title match. Lashley easily disposed of SLAPJACK, who tapped out to the Full Nelson. RETRIBUTION came out and attacked Lashley. The Hurt Business came to the aid of the US Champ and RETRIBUTION retreated.

Analysis: SLAPJACK was clearly overmatched. This match added another page to the rivalry between the two factions. It will all come to a climax when the entirety of the two groups face one another.

Look Ahead: With Survivor Series next month, it would be easy to set up a traditional Survivor Series match between The Hurt Business and RETRIBUTION.

Sasha Banks becomes SmackDown Women’s Champion, defeats Bayley (Hell in a Cell Match)

Match: The rivalry between these two former best friends reached a pinnacle inside Hell in a Cell. Before the match started, Banks threw Bayley’s trusty chair outside the cell – a sign that she was not playing any games. After trading blows with multiple chairs and Kendo sticks, a ladder was laid out between two chairs in the middle of the ring. After Bayley pulled her special chair into the cell. The Role Model sprayed paint on The Boss and appeared to be closing in on a victory but missed on a diving attack with a chair. Banks capitalized and hit a Bayley-to-Belly on the ladder. The Boss then locked in the Bank Statement with Bayley’s special chair, and The Role Model tapped out to give Banks the SmackDown Women’s Championship for the first time.

Analysis: This showdown was most entertaining match of the night. The hatred between the two superstars boiled over into hell. Each one relentlessly went after the other and made the most out of each weapon available. This match had all the works: emotion, passion, drama and brutality.

Look Ahead: Bayley – who held the SmackDown Title for a record 380 days – is not going to recede from the championship picture. Banks is a five-time Raw Women’s Champion but has never successfully defended the gold. It will be interesting to see if she can claim that elusive successful title defense when Bayley seeks a rematch.

The Miz defeats Otis to claim Money in the Bank

Match: This match featured a shocking turn of events. Otis had Miz lined up for the Caterpillar, but Miz’s tag team partner John Morrison pulled The A-Lister out of the way. This caused the referee to banish Morrison from ringside. In the following moments, Tucker turned his back on his best friend Otis and smacked him in the head with the Money in the Bank briefcase. In disbelief, Miz covered Otis to win Money in the Bank for a second time. Following the match backstage, Tucker claimed that he was responsible for everything good that had happened to Otis. Fuming about the result of the match and the loss of his best friend, Otis charged after Tucker, who bolted.

Analysis: It is not surprising that Miz capitalized on some interference to claim the Money in the Bank contract. It is surprising that it came at the hands of Tucker. The heel turn by Tucker left fans aghast. It was interesting to ponder where WWE could have gone with Otis holding the contract, but now it is in the hands of The Miz. The A-Lister is one of the most opportunistic superstars, so he will be looking to cash it in at any moment.

Look Ahead: Two different storylines come out of this match. Number one, Otis and Tucker will begin a feud. Number two (and more importantly), The Miz can have a championship match at any moment. Look to him to cash it in when a champion is at its weakest moment. The Miz is the second superstar (joining Edge) to win MITB in a one-on-one match. Edge cashed in the contract later that week, and The Miz may very well do the same.

Elias defeats Jeff Hardy via disqualification

Match: This showdown was a quick match in which Jeff Hardy looked in line for the victory until Elias rolled out of the ring before the cover. Hardy pursued him and smashed Elias’ guitar on his back, which disqualified Hardy.

Analysis: Though Elias picks up the win on paper, Hardy picked up the win with the WWE Universe. In fact, smashing the guitar over Elias’ back may have been more rewarding for WWE fans than a Hardy win.

Look Ahead: Jeff Hardy still looks to be in the mix for the Intercontinental Championship. Another showdown with Sami Zayn for the gold would not be a surprise.

Roman Reigns retains Universal Championship, defeats Jey Uso (Hell in a Cell “I Quit” Match)

Match: Roman Reigns dominated from the opening bell. Reigns connected on several spears and used a strap against his cousin. Then the Tribal Chief hit two drive-by kicks. On the second one, he drove the steel steps into Jey’s head. When the referee tried to end the match, Reigns tossed him aside. Then several officials came into the cell to try to end the madness. Jey’s brother Jimmy came to his tag team partner’s aid, only to have Reigns apply a Guillotine submission hold on him. Jey finally said “I Quit,” and an emotional Reigns shared a moment with his cousins. The Big Dog walked up the ramp with his Universal Championship and was met by his father Sika and uncle Afa (The Wild Samoans, who are WWE Hall of Famers). He was celebrated as “The Head of the Table.”

Analysis: This match was underwhelming. Reigns is clearly in a different stratosphere from Jey Uso. The Big Dog is at the top of the industry and is performing better than he has in a long time. While the Usos are great tag-team competitors, they are no match for Reigns at his peak. This family storyline is clearly setting up a Roman Reigns match against The Rock for the Universal Title at WrestleMania 37 next year.

Look Ahead: The family storyline is going to continue for quite a while. Reigns comes from a long lineage of WWE superstars. It will ultimately culminate with a showdown with The Rock at WrestleMania to determine the best of the family. Before that point, we could see Reigns defend the title against former-Shield member Seth Rollins now that they are both on SmackDown.

R-Truth retains 24/7 Championship, defeats Drew Gulak (Kickoff Match)

Match: R-Truth keeps his 24/7 Championship with an athletic win over Drew Gulak. Truth used the signature moves of several other wrestlers following an appearance from Little Jimmy. The after-match action included the champion being chased out of the WWE ThunderDome by Gulak, Akira Tozawa, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado.

Analysis: This was an entraining way to begin the evening, though it was for one of the least coveted belts. R-Truth continued to show why he is one of the best 24/7 Champions. This title continues to be a chaotic chase, as evidenced by the ending.

Look Ahead: R-Truth needs to watch his back. The chase at the end shows there are many suitors for the green belt. Remember, it can be won anywhere at any time.