10 Times WWE Stipulations Meant Nothing

2. Roman Reigns Vs. Braun Strowman (Hell In A Cell 2018)

The Satan’s Favourite Steelworks Production, or whatever they call it, it's safe to say the Hell in a Cell match has lost a fair bit of its aura in recent years. From matches whose accompanying feud lacked the animosity to justify the stipulation, to bouts that had some of the worst screwy finishes we have ever seen, the recent encounters inside the demonic structure have been a far cry from the bloody wars of the past.

The first of these to make it to the list, came about in 2018. The main event for the Hell in a Cell pay per view that year was Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship, inside the titular structure.

Everyone was expecting a brutal, hellacious contest. What none of us expected, wanted, or ever dreamed of seeing inside HIAC, was a no contest finish. But somehow WWE conspired to give us just that. After The Shield and the Dogs of War had gotten involved midway through, Brock Lesnar’s music hit. The Beast stomped his way to the ring, kicked open the cell door like it was made of cheese and proceeded to beat down both men.

For a while, everyone loved it. This was an intriguing twist which brought fans to the edge of their seats, waiting to see how this match would conclude. And then, that was that. Literally, that was that. The match was ruled a no contest because apparently an F5 was too much to get up from, despite the fact both these men had previously kicked out of multiple F5s during their encounters with Brock.

More importantly, this was Hell in a Cell, the one match where we know for a fact a rivalry will be settled for good. A non-finish here was the equivalent of flushing the entire concept of a gimmick match straight down the toilet.