Don't worry, you haven't fallen into a deep sleep or slipped into a coma and missed out on five months of your life. The next stop on the WWE PPV calendar really is Hell in a Cell. The last WWE PPV that will take place in the ThunderDome with no fans in attendance, providing the world really is on the mend and we don't get plunged back into lockdown, of course. WWE has announced it will return to turning in July kicking off with Money in the Bank weekend.
HIAC may have been moved for a number of reasons. Perhaps it was a reaction to AEW's Blood and Guts match, or maybe it's just so MITB can be saved for when fans are in attendance. Whatever the reason, HIAC will air live on Peacock in the US and the WWE Network on June 20, 2021, this year. The main card will begin at 8 pm EST, or if you want to watch its kickoff show you'll need to tune in an hour earlier.
Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair for the Raw Women's Championship
Charlotte Flair disappeared at an inopportune time when it comes to her quest to surpass her dad's record of 16 World Titles. Since The Queen was absent for a large chunk of WWE's road to WrestleMania, she wasn't included on the card. The first time that has been the case for six years. Flair has very much been making up for lost time, targeting Rhea Ripley ever since she returned.
It feels like WWE has been keeping Flair in the picture, but not having Ripley lose immediately to avoid fan backlash. At HIAC, time may well be up for The Nightmare. Between reports that Ripley has been taking acting classes and WWE counting any and all title reigns towards Flair's total, this one seems almost nailed on to play host to a title change.
Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship
Fans thought the WWE Title picture was finally going to get freshened up when Kofi Kingston challenged and beat Bobby Lashley. It looked like that still might have been the case until an additional hurdle was thrown in Kingston's way. The former WWE Champion was tasked with beating Drew McIntyre for the chance at a shot at Lashley's talent, and he failed to win the match.
That means it will be McIntyre getting yet another shot at Lashley and the WWE Title, possibly inside of Hell in a Cell. Hopefully, Lashley will win and can move on to his next challengers at MITB and SummerSlam. That probably won't be Kingston, but it could be Brock Lesnar which would make Lashley very happy. This is also the only match so far confirmed to be taking place inside of the cell.
Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a Hell in a Cell Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship
Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks made history in their main event match at WrestleMania 37. The wind has come out of Belair's sails somewhat since that historic night. Perhaps the continued absence of Banks has been affecting her. Bayley is a formidable foe though, and hopefully this next chapter in the pair's rivalry will take the SmackDown Women's Title back up a notch. Plus, to give this match an added twist it probably didn't need, it will now be one of the two on the night taking place inside the cell.
The verbal back and forth between these two each week has been lacking. As for the in-ring action, there hasn't been a lot of it to speak of. Both are incredibly talented in that regard. Here's hoping they get the chance to show that at HIAC and something clicks. Whatever happens, Bayley still won't be taking the title from Belair in this one.
Alexa Bliss vs. Shayna Baszler
It has taken a while, but Alexa Bliss's career finally appears to have some direction again. It might not be a direction everyone is a fan of, but it's happening. Bliss has decided she doesn't like Shayna Baszler, or maybe it's Reginald. Either way, Baszler will be the one who feels Bliss, and probably Lily's wrath at Hell In A Cell.
As for which way this match is going to go, that's a tough one. Considering how WWE treats Baszler, Bliss will likely pick up the win here. It's a shame, but at least there will be plenty of hi-jinx mixed in to soften the blow. Or, as touched upon above, that might just make certain fans even angrier. Expect this match to be a major talking point on social media after the show.
Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro
What some fans hoped would be a series of matches between Cesaro and Roman Reigns appears to have been left at just the one. The Swiss Superman's attention has now returned to Seth Rollins. In defense of WWE's creative team, The Architect hasn't really left Cesaro alone, tormenting him throughout his quest to become Universal Champion.
Having this WrestleMania rematch on the card certainly isn't a bad thing. In terms of a winner, this one seems to have Rollins' name written all over it. If WWE is planning on having The Messiah be the next one to step up to Reigns, they need to make him seem like a viable opponent. Getting his revenge over Cesaro on a PPV is a good place to start.
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
In case of emergency, break glass and add Kevin Owens versus Sami Zayn to the card. At a time when fans are sick of seeing the same matches over and over, this one seems to get a pass. Probably because their bouts are almost always match of the night contenders and the pair's gimmick is basically that they are going to fight forever.
The best part of all is it doesn't matter who wins. WWE could book the most bizarre finish in this match and still wouldn't ruin it, although please don't think of that as a challenge if whoever is in charge of the result of this match happens to see this. Whoever wins, the match will be terrific, and it won't be the last time the two of them meet in the ring.