5 Biggest Winners & Losers From WWE Hell In A Cell 2016

2. Winner: Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns vs. Rusev was a match of two halves. The first was slow, plodding, and boring: filled primarily with lackluster cell wall bumps and colourless brawling, it summoned the worst of WWE’s PG HIAC tropes. Things picked up in the second half, however, and the duo pulled off an excellent closing stretch to end things on a high note.

Rusev’s chain-assisted Accolade provided a savage visual, but it wasn’t enough to put the United States Champion away. Reigns battled out of it, drilled Rusev with a Samoan Drop on the steps, then Speared him for a decisive victory.

The rivalry has been blighted by both competitors’ increasingly confusing face/heel alignment, but they performed a successful blow-off match. When Reigns was standing tall, it felt like a genuine end for one of Raw’s most heated rivalries, and Rusev lost very little in the end. He was presented as a monster throughout, and his mystique remains intact.

Reigns had his share of jeers again last night, but it wasn’t as bad as usual. He’ll likely never win the crowd over, particularly if WWE keep pushing him as a playground bully, but he remains a solid worker, particularly in environments like this. Rusev’s last US Title run restored some much-needed credibility to the belt, and a well-booked Reigns run can take it to the next level.