WWE Hell in a Cell 2012 Predictions

The following piece was contributed by avid wrestling fan and analyst JR. Follow him on Twitter at @StarNinja99.

Possible filler matches
 
This card is pretty stacked right now, so I wouldn't expect too many additional matches on this year's Hell In A Cell card, but I beleive there are only two possible options right now.
 
After Justin Gabriel's pinfall on the United States Champion Antonio Cesaro Monday night on Raw, I would not be surprised to see this match make it to Hell In A Cell.  However, if it were to make it on the card, I have a bit of a left field prediction for the match. 
 
Justin Gabriel will gain the United States Championship.
 
If my predictions are correct, by the end of this pay-per-view there won't be much choice left but to strap the belt too someone new, someone who is a face.  Now, this is by far the most out there prediction I'll put here on this card, but hey, sometimes you've just got too go with your gut.  I like Cesaro, despite a couple of problems I've had with a few of his wrestling moves going back as far as his debut in Ring of Honor, but the fact is his championship reign has been rather flat, and perhaps putting him on the chase could do more for him than simply spout off words in five different languages.
 
There is also an off chance of John Cena's adress to the WWE Universe regarding the controversy surrounding his involvement with the "firing" of AJ Lee may lead to a match with Dolph Ziggler, who is currently off of the card, but this would relegate Cena and Ziggler to the pre-show, so unless its an announcement for later in the night, I don't see it happening.  If it does happen, I see Cena winning to prove he's fully healed up, but again, I thin Ziggler will be relegated for later in the card.
 
Other than these two matches, the only other thing I can even slightly see here is a possible Wade Barrett match ala what we say with Brodus Clay and Ryback in previous months, but honestly, I do not think there will be any time alloted for this.

Eve vs. Kaitlyn vs. Layla – Divas Championship match
 
Ah, the good old "Who texted who to do what" angle.  Didn't we go through this not that long ago?
 
All kidding aside, its nice to see a semi-consistent Divas angle going on.  It's pretty much obvious, no matter who did it, Eve was the mastermind, but it's been a surpisingly not bad road to this match.
 
Still, its the Divas divisions.  I'm not expecting them to be given a chance at a proper pay-off.
 
Keep an eye for backstage segments for this match, I'd be willing to bet that Either Kaitlyn or Layla may be attacked backstage and take out of the match just to prolong this fued. 
 
Either way, I see Eve using good old fashion heel tactics and some misdirection to take advantage and pick off one of the girls.  My guess would be Kaitlyn gets pinned here, to preserve Layla's spot for a future rematch.

 
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz – Intercontinental Championship match
 
Let's face it, if the WWE had not spoiled the results of the Main Event match between Kingston and Miz, no one would have seen it coming for Kofi to regain the Intercontinental Championship.  Kofi is an amazing athlete, but he hasn't exactly been on top of his game lately... that is, until recently.
 
Honestly, this feels, to me, at least, like the first time Kofi has been able to show anything other than his in-ring work in years.  It's been surprisingly entertaining.
 
I see Kofi retaining after a hard fought match here.  Kofi is on a rare roll here, and taking the IC title off of him would be bad idea,  Who knows, there may be a legitimate pay-off in the forseeable future if he keeps up this momentum.  I doubt it, but one can be hopeful.

 
Alberto Del Rio vs. Randy Orton – Singles match
 
Let me be bluntly honest here, the build up for this match has just been riddled with non-sensical logic.  This match essentially bears down too two wrestlers who didn't have anything to do following Night of Champions being thrown together, and beating each other senseless on TV for no apparent reason, other than that they say they have heat between each other.
 
Not a great way to build a memorable one-off match.
 
Between Del Rio's trouble to cut any kinf of Promo and, let us be perfectly honest, Ortons bad attitude in general since his return, there hasn't been much to remember this one by,  Hopefully, these two can leave it all in the ring and give us something to remember. 
 
I'm going to assume Orton will go over here, even though rumors of an Orton heel turn have been running rampant as of late,  I seriously doubt that WWE would pull the trigger on a heel turn while fueding with the likes of Alberto Del Rio.

 
Team Hell No (Kane and Daniel Bryan) vs. Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow) – Tag Team Championship match
 
It's been irrefutably proven over the last few weeks that the Big Red Monster is the Tag Team Champions.
 
I am indeed starting to wonder what been up with the booking behind the other (half of the) Tag Team Champions, Daniel Bryan.  He has been booked the last few weeks to look incredibly weak.  All the more reason, I think, too book him strong at Hell In A Cell.
 
I don't think anyone really beleaves the team of the Rhodes Scholars have a legitimate chance at the tag titles on Sunday.  Sure, they have been very entertaining to watch, and a perfect counter to Kane and D-Bry, but ending the their run with the titles this early would be a crying shame, so its not really a matter of if, but how the Tag Team Champions retain.
 
I see, personally, a referee distraction and Kane being taken down by a foreign object, and being kept down but quick tags and teamwork on the part of the Rhodes Schlaors.  after a bit of time, Kane will be able to counter, and Daniel Bryan will tag in, letting the Devils Favorite Demon recover.  I see Daniel Bryan taking this match via the No Lock and a submission for the win. 
 
Then again, maybe the WWE will just keep booking Bryan to be the "weak link".

 
Sheamus vs. Big Show – World Heavyweight Championship match
 
Sheamus and Big Show is sure not to be a five star classic, but there is some intrigue in this match.
 
The Cell format should allow these two big men to do what this rivalry calls for, and that's simply beat each other into submission.  Show was booked stronger for this match than he's been booked in years, and Sheamus has held up his side as well as he has during his reign.  The story for this one isn't going to win any awards, but it served its purpose: but to dominate Super Heavyweights in the Demonic structure and see who comes out on top.
 
Personally, I don't see Show winning here at all.  My guess for a finish would have to be a double finisher hit, a Brogue delivers and the KO Punch connects at the same time.  Sheamus falls on Show for the cover, and retains. 
 
Now, at that point, you have your oppurtunity to have Dolph Ziggler cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.  Honestly, if the WWE does not pull the trigger on the Ziggler cash In this Sunday they have, in my opinion, missed their biggest chance.  This feud is perfect for it.  Ziggler hits the ramp, rushes the ring as the Cell lifts, cashes in, waits for Sheamus to stagger up,  And connects with the Zig Zag.  WWE feeling like that would ruin Sheamus's image?  Simple anser, have him kick out, rinse, and repeat. 
 
I do not think a Ziggler cash in is a question of "if" so much as "how" at this point in the game.

 
CM Punk vs. Ryback – WWE Championship match
 
Ah, the time has come, rather early, in fact, for Ryback to sink his teeth into the title scene.
 
With Cena's unexpected elbow surgery, the WWE pushed the young Ryback into a roll of enforcer, just so that there was an option other than Cena for Hell In A Cell.  Punk would begin to disrespect the likes of Mick Foley, JR, and even Viny Mac himself, but the undeafeted Ryback would always come to the rescue of those who could not defend themselves.  John, on the other hand, did not get his arm healed up in time, so the hungry young Ryback was given the opportunity.
 
This is without a doubt the biggest match of Ryback's career. The question at this point is, can Ryback hold his own in a twenty minute-plus match?
 
We got to see some hints when he faced Dolph Ziggler on Main Event, but that was still not long enough to determine if he's got the stamina.  Luckily, the Cell should help the up-and-comer keep his attacks both simple and brutal when the pace needs to keep up.  A screwjob finish is a strong possibility hear, and rumors and guesses are out there so thick that the only thing I know for sure is Cena will get involved in one way or another, either before, during, or after the match.
 
There is no doubt in my mind that CM Punk will retain here.  So, the question now becomes, "What of Ryback after Hell In A Cell?"  Well, I think Booker T said it best in an interview with PWITorch.
 
"If he can pull that match up and pull that match together. If he can do that, his stock is going to go way up. If he goes out there and flops, it's going to go way down."
 
The truth at this moment is that it up to Ryback to ensure his newfound home in the main event stays there.  When he enters that Cell with CM Punk, a man who is always at the top of his game, a very versatile wrestler, and a man who is more over that Ryback (who still has problems with "Goldberg" chants), he has to prove he can step toe to toe with The "Best In the World" and look strong in defeat.
 
If he can't do that, its back to the lower card for Ryback.

 
Well, folks, that about does it for me and this year's October pay-per-view!  That's it for this edition of JR's predictions, and you'll only find them here, on Next Era Wrestling!