Mansfield’s Matchups: Hell in a Cell 2022

Well, they actually added a SmackDown match. Hell in A Cell 2022 is this weekend and I’ve waited to write this column because I was hoping we’d at least get one SmackDown match, which we did. But, not the one I wanted. On paper, it’s an interesting seven match card. But with Roman stepping back and not wrestling on PLE’s like a champion should (or, really wrestling on anything else anymore), and having not defended his title since “unifying” the belts at WrestleMania, it really feels like we’re back in the Brock days of the Title, but instead this time they’re just ignoring the other titles by the fact that we only have two title matches on this card and the Intercontinental Title is not one of them….again.

But, my thoughts on WWE treating their championships like crap aside (hey, where’s that Women’s Tag Team Title tournament? Almost like Sasha and Naomi were spot on, huh?), this is Mansfield’s Matchups, and this is my 2022 WWE Hell in a Cell Predictions.

NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH
Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss

Madcap Moss is back with a new look and he’s having another match with Corbin. Now it’s a No Holds Barred Match. When I said I wanted a SmackDown match on this card, I meant an Intercontinental Title Match. Not this. Either way, Moss is winning. Don’t care about this match. It’ll be my bathroom break match again. Like Moss’s new look and he’s good on the mic, so once he’s done with Corbin hopefully they give him something good to do.

WINNER – Madcap Moss

Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel

This feud is so interesting cause I’m actually rooting for Kevin Owens in a way. We all know it’s Elias in actuality, so seeing this kind of feud that really is straddling the extremely thin rope that is kayfabe is honestly entertaining. The storyline and how enraged KO is becoming is great. As much as I may personally *want* KO to win, Ezekiel will get the win here.

WINNER – Ezekiel

2-ON-1 HANDICAP MATCH
Omos and MVP vs. Bobby Lashley

Like most of you, I thought this was done with the Steel Cage match. But, it’s not. I wish I could care more about this than I do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really liking Bobby Lashley lately, but I don’t’t care for the MVP turn or for Omos. Their matches have been okay, but nothing really special. Lashley should win and that’ll be the end of it. Hopefully.

WINNER – Bobby Lashley

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Theory ( c ) vs. Mustafa Ali

Mustafa Ali returning to WWE and getting this push seemed about as likely as hell freezing over. Now, while I may not be the biggest Theory fan, I’m just really glad we’re getting a United States Title match on PLE. My thoughts on the particular competitors’ promo and other skills aside, I think it’s safe to say that these two will have a really good solid match. With Cena waiting in the wings for Theory, there’s no way he walks out of here without the Title.

WINNER – Theory (champion retains)

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Bianca Belair ( c ) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Asuka

Three great women. Three great talents. These three are going to have a great Triple Threat. Asuka being back is a breath of fresh air and Becky’s promos have been absolute fire. Why WWE was trying to shoehorn the Women’s Tag Team Champions into this and not just go with this Triple Threat originally, I don’t know, but I’m really looking forward to this match. Most likely, Bianca pins Becky to retain then faces Asuka at Money in the Bank.

WINNER – Bianca Belair (champion retains)

6-PERSON MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH
The Judgment Day (Edge, Damien Priest, and Rhea Rippley) vs. A.J. Styles, Finn Balor, and Liv Morgan

I am so very excited we are getting Balor Club in WWE!!! No matter how long or short it’s for (knowing WWE), I’m just happy we are at least getting this match. I’ve been wanting Balor and A.J. to team up for a while now and I’m so glad it’s happening. These are 6 amazing talents. I love what WWE is doing with Judgment Day. Now, does Balor turn and join them? Hope not. Ciampa seems the best choice. But Judgment Day is likely walking away with the win here with a clean sweep to make them look strong. Honestly, as long as we get some Edge vs. Balor action during this match, I don’t care who wins!

WINNERS – The Judgment Day

HELL IN A CELL MATCH
Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes

Cody is still on fire and that honeymoon phase ain’t even close to being done. He’s the most over person on the Raw roster right now and his clean sweep of Seth Rollins will fully cement his status atop the card. Many figured Rollins would get at least one win, but WWE isn’t going with its traditional booking here. They know Cody needs to look strong and that’s what they’re doing. I’ve been getting serious Triple H/Batista 2005 vibes here. Batista lost all three matches in a row as Triple H (rightly) did the job to make Batista the biggest and baddest he could, and their last one was their best inside Hell in a Cell at Vengeance Day. And that’s exactly what Seth is doing for Cody here. This being the only Hell in a Cell match on this card makes absolute sense and these two will go all out to make this, not only the best of their already classic series, but make it a 5-star classic. Seth will do the honors and give Cody that final win to put everything else behind him as he moves on to hopefully go for the WWE Championship, either by winning Money in the Bank, or by going for it at SummerSlam.

WINNER – Cody Rhodes