9 Match Star Ratings For WWE Hell In A Cell 2019

6. Randy Orton Vs. Ali

Seth Rollins Hell In A Cell
WWE.com

For most of the duration, this was a typical Randy Orton match.

He played off the size disparity in a manner that was sensible if unexciting in a match that played out to near silence. He backdropped Ali onto a table in a great spot, but it's funny: for all the outrage over AEW's poor officiating at Dynamite, nobody ever complains about this Orton trademark. People cry bias at the optimistic AEW coverage, but if anything, there are different rules for different companies in favour of WWE. The inconsistency is so ingrained that it's accepted.

A lot of people raved about the finish, which was baffling. It was a damning illustration in microcosm of what WWE ritually does to its performers.

Ali evaded Orton's first RKO attempt with a slip-out handstand, which drew a big reaction for its creativity and athleticism. And then, because he is a WWE babyface and WWE babyfaces are fools you simply are not allowed to invest in, he immediately went to the top rope and risked the catch RKO Orton attempts in every match in which he wrestles a smaller opponent.

Up, then down, over, then out: Ali isn't worth your time, sadly.

Star Rating: ★★½

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!