7 Match Star Ratings For WWE Hell In A Cell 2021
6. Bianca Belair Vs. Bayley - SmackDown Women's Title Match
The highlight of a show that was uninspiring and boring even when it was accomplished, it was a testament to Bayley's excellence. Mad how performing as a savvy veteran is more effective heel work than cackling in what was the dirt worst go-away heat ever.
The storytelling was strong without feeling too cute.
Bayley used her experience to subdue Bianca's agility and power, but Belair matched her cunning. The match was worked around Bianca's braid, and her desperate untangling of it created several moments of gripping suspense. The plotting here was very good; when Bayley realised she was outmatched, she simply bit Bianca's arm in desperation. The match was arranged and built with remarkable competence. Bayley interpreted this desperation as superiority, and ate sh*t as a result of her own arrogance by taking a powerbomb through two suspended kendo sticks.
This was among the better modern Hell In A Cell matches. Knowing that a hate-fuelled bloodbath is impossible, Bayley laid out a match that allowed Bianca to showcase a range of strong babyface attributes in a company that has otherwise lost total sight of the meaning of the word: raw ability, intelligence, and, in the end, gutsy resolve. In one great spot before the finish, the left hand actually knew what the right hand was doing. Bayley recognised that there are no rope breaks in Hell In A Cell - a rule that has mystified the commentary team in far too many stipulation matches - and Belair looked helpless enough to get a superb near-fall over.
A simple, timeless structure elevated by creative work, the finish ruled too. Bayley got that comeuppance hard.
Not hard enough to justify the laughing - she was not launched into outer space - but hard.
Star Rating: ★★★¾