10 Booking Steps For WWE Raw (Oct 10)
The road to Hell in a Cell...
The main problem with Hell In A Cell, Raw's next pay-per-view, is that the show can needlessly shove feuds into the once awe inspiring cage structure. There was a time when Hell In A Cell was revered as the best match type with which to end major feuds. Now, it's just another event on the calendar.
This doesn't mean that matches such as Roman Reigns vs. Rusev, Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins and Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks won't be good, WWE should simply be careful that they don't go overboard by booking too many Cell bouts on the one card. Raw can and should take care of that, why would KO as the reigning WWE Universal Champion want to sign on the dotted line for such a dangerous match?
Elsewhere, it's important to establish who will challenge The New Day for the Raw Tag-Team Titles. Cesaro and Sheamus seem the most likely, not least because they were promised a shot at the gold by General Manager Mick Foley himself.
Including Monday's edition, there are three episodes of Raw before the brand's next supershow. Here's what could realistically happen on the latest...
10. Roman Reigns Watches Rusev Win Then Cites His Hell In A Cell Experience
The first official Hell In A Cell match signed for the pay-per-view of the same name is between Roman Reigns and Rusev. Roman's WWE United States Title will be on the line in the bout, with the main hook being that the 'Bulgarian Brute' is looking to win back the title from his arch nemesis inside the confines of the foreboding steel.
It was brave of WWE to try and squeeze yet another match out of the pair, Reigns and Rusev feel like they've been fighting forever. Still, they do have good chemistry together. That was shown at Clash Of Champions, so theoretically the Hell In A Cell gimmick should enhance things.
On Raw, Rusev could gain a hard-fought win over Sami Zayn. Then, Roman Reigns - who had been watching from the announce position - steps into the ring and declares that Rusev doesn't know what he's getting into. After all, he has no experience inside Hell In A Cell.
Meanwhile, Reigns contested a brutal battle against Bray Wyatt last year. A short promo would be best, there's no need for the babyface champ to drone on.