WWE Hell In A Cell 2017: Assessing The Potential Quality Of All 8 Matches

6. Bobby Roode Vs. Dolph Ziggler

Shane McMahon Kevin Owens
WWE.com

Hopefully, WWE - surely aware that Bobby Roode is beloved as a result of his über-cocky theatrics - resists the temptation to follow the Shinsuke Nakamura formula and position the Glorious One as a dime-a-dozen underdog babyface. There's far more money in him than that.

Unfortunately, there is little precedent for optimism; the elusive tweener role remains just that, and while many fans remain scorned by the memory of Nakamura's dull normalisation at Backlash, it evidently means little to WWE, considering the match in which the 'Artist' is set to compete on Sunday. The sight of Bobby Roode requesting fan support is going to be an odd one. He was so fabulous at portraying himself as a species above them in Full Sail. That said, Roode has momentum, and has already established a rapport with the crowd. Disregard NXT as canon - and in all honestly, given the depressing main roster disconnect, we probably should - and this should work a treat as an opener.

Should. On paper. The opening match is an art lost on WWE in 2017. Samoa Joe Vs. Sami Zayn, at Fastlane, was a bizarrely elongated squash. It achieved the opposite of the desired, seductive effect. John Cena Vs. Baron Corbin, at SummerSlam, was a transposed backstage punishment more than it was a wrestling match.

This is designed as a showcase for Bobby Roode. Whether we are treated to the good Bobby Roode, and not a main roster bastardisation, is another matter.

Maximum Star Rating Ceiling: ***1/4

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!