WWE Hell In A Cell 2017: Assessing The Potential Quality Of All 8 Matches

7. Randy Orton Vs. Rusev

Shane McMahon Kevin Owens
WWE.com

This is a funny one.

We have no way of knowing if Randy Orton and Rusev share any chemistry; their only two televised matches to date ended in stereo squash finishes. What we do know is the following:

- Randy Orton can flat-out go, but only selectively - his performances are conditional on his opponent. Ominously, he tends to operate at his best against lighter, more acrobatic opponents.

- Rusev can flat-out go, but his portrayal as a foreign menace is at odds with both the wrestling climate and what the audience wants from him. He's a face turn waiting to happen, which isn't ideal for Sunday night, on which he's expected to generate sympathy on behalf of a man most are ambivalent towards.

As a collection of moves and sequences, this has potential as a quietly very good midcard attraction, one crucial to the flow of the card. Given the backwards character alignments, the lack of heat undermining the programme, and the ridiculous in-ring standard set elsewhere, this likely won't live long in the memory - unless the Detroit natives voice their hoarse support of the awesome Rusev and initiate a grassroots face turn.

We can but dream.

Maximum Star Rating Ceiling: ***

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!