5 Ups And 9 Downs From WWE Hell In A Cell 2019

8. Slo-Mo Extended Squash

Sometimes you can earn respect from your opponent and the fans in a losing effort.

Unfortunately, that sort of thing rarely happens in a Randy Orton match.

Orton has always been described as “methodical” in his in-ring pacing, which can best be termed “slow as s***” today. So if you’re Ali, facing the bigger, slower Orton does not really benefit you when your offense is fast-paced and requires a bit of cooperation from your opponent.

The match, made during the kickoff show, wasn’t terrible at all, but it certainly was predictable. Orton wore down Ali at a… *ahem*… methodical pace, while the former police officer got a couple hope spots. He even countered the RKO with an innovative handstand, only to walk right into… an RKO.

If WWE was going for, “Ali earns respect by taking Randy Orton to his limit,” this sure as hell wasn’t it. It was Ali biting off more than he could chew and being dropped after landing a couple lucky shots on a 13-time world champion.