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

3. Loser: TJ Perkins

TJ Perkins Brian Kendrick concern
WWE.com

The TJ Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick rivalry has gradually deteriorated in quality over the weeks. It started strongly with Kendrick playing the bitter old veteran, but descended to farce when the challenger asked TJP to throw this match on last week’s Raw. It doesn’t help that Perkins has taken to speaking like a human Sega Master System, but WWE have ended their first big Cruiserweight storyline disappointingly.

The duo struggled to capture the crowd’s attention following Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins, and while the bulk of the match was technically fine, the ending destroyed Perkins’ momentum. Kendrick feigned injury prior to locking-in the Captain’s Hook, and everybody in the building saw it coming but the champion. Perkins was forced to tap as a result, and Kendrick left Boston with the gold.

Perkins came-off like the most gullible man on the planet, and that’s not a good look for a guy who’s supposed to be the division’s leading light. It’s impossible to pull-off such a finish if the whole world knows what’s going to happen, and the crowd literally booed TJP for his foolishness. It once looked like Perkins was being set-up as the man to anchor the Cruiserweight division through its formative months, but he has been dethroned in the most crushing way imaginable.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.