Are cracks developing within The Authority?
Triple H and his chosen ones have had it good in recent months, with Mr Money in the Bank, Seth Rollins, going from strength to strength and Randy Orton relocating his mojo.
But perhaps Rollins and Orton’s desire to be top dog has caused a fracture in the camp, with The Architect smashing The Viper’s face into the canvas during the closing minutes of Monday’s Raw.
Rollins and Orton functioned like a well-oiled machine during the main event where, along with Kane, they defeated John Cena and Dean Ambrose in a three-on-two handicap match.
Orton dealt the decisive blow in a clash that, under Kane’s instruction, became a Hell in a Cell bout halfway through, flattening Ambrose with an RKO before proceeding to pin The Lunatic Fringe.
However, Rollins then Curb Stomped The Viper, suggesting not all is hunky-dory within The Authority…
Rollins and Orton were heavily involved in earlier portions of Raw, too; the former crossing paths with a Hardcore Legend and the latter dishing out two RKOs.
Former Shield star Rollins marched to the ring after witnessing Hell in a Cell rival Ambrose dissect a dummy of him but as he and his onetime stablemate shared words, a bearded legend appeared.
Mick Foley, a veteran of four Hell in a Cell Matches, explained to both Rollins and Ambrose how while they thought they were ready to enter the demonic metal compound, that, really, they weren’t.
Clocking
Orton, meanwhile, became embroiled in a verbal war with his Cell adversary Cena, with the two highly-decorated grapplers arguing over which of them would prevail in their No 1 Contender’s brawl for the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
The bickering encouraged Paul Heyman, the advocate of current world champion, Brock Lesnar, to emerge and state that it was irrelevant who won Orton and Cena’s duel because neither of them would dethrone The Beast Incarnate.
Orton didn’t agree and after clocking Cena with an RKO, did the same to Heyman.
Elsewhere, Brie Bella conquered Summer Rae; Cesaro vanquished Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler in a non-title tussle; and Alicia Fox pinned AJ Lee following help from Paige.
The Miz, however, opted to take things easy, forcing stunt double Damien Mizdow to take his place and team with Gold and Stardust in a six-man dustup against The Usos and Sheamus.
And it proved to be an inspired decision by The Awesome One, with Mizdow rolling up Sheamus after The Irishman had cracked WWE Tag Team Champion Stardust with a devastating Brogue Kick.
Plus, Rusev drew the ire of the WWE Universe and Sunday-night opponent Big Show by booting an American soldier in the face following a little horseplay from The World’s Largest Athlete.
Rusev expected the Russian flag to be unveiled after he had submitted Big E to The Accolade but instead saw the American colours rolled out with Big Show making a late and cheeky tweak.
The Super Athlete was left visibly seething and reacted by kicking a member of military personnel who had come out to prevent him from tearing down Old Glory.
WWE Hell in a Cell will be shown live at midnight on Sunday, October 26 (Monday) on Sky Sports Box Office, with repeat showings available until the following Saturday (November 1).
WWE Hell in a Cell booking details
WWE Hell in a Cell will be shown at midnight on Sunday, October 26 (Mon) on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) and on Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752).
WWE Hell in a Cell will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752) until 9pm on Saturday, November 1.
Repeat showings will last three hours, with the final showing BEGINNING at 9pm on Saturday, November 1. The event is priced at £14.95 for UK customers, €21.95 for customers in the Republic of Ireland.
Viewers can call 08442 410 888 from Tuesday, October 14 to book WWE Hell in a Cell. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You will be able book WWE Hell in a Cell online from Tuesday, October 14 by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/
You can also order WWE Hell in a Cell at a later date by pressing the Box Office button on your remote. Select 'sports & events' and follow the on-screen instructions.
Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.