Hell In A Cell 2022 - Allstate Arena
Cody Rhodes vs Seth Rollins - Hell In A Cell 2022
The main event to headline the PPV is a Hell In A Cell match to end their rivalry spanning three pay-per-views. Earlier in the day, WWE revealed that Cody Rhodes had tore his pectoral muscle but the main event would still go ahead as planned.
Rollins enters the arena in the usual crazy fashion, almost as if The Joker was a wrestler. Seth then removes his robe to unveil his gear inspired by his opponent's late father Dusty Rhodes. The black and yellow polka dots, a cheap shot with mind games starting before the bell has sounded. Along with the commentary team being left almost speechless by the choice of gear from Rollins.
Cody Rhodes enters to his Kingdom theme, with the crowd raising the volume by singing the song themselves, with the crowd raising the roof for the “WOAH” part of Kingdom as he makes his way down the ramp.
The focus quickly turns to the condition of Cody Rhodes and his injury. Commentary saying “we don't know how below 100% Cody is”, which is quickly answered to those in attendance and those at home as Cody takes off one of his signature robes. The crowd goes from electric to almost complete silence as the extent of Rhodes pectoral injury becomes clear for everyone to see. With the dark colours on the skin of Cody’s skin showing the bleed and bruising from his injury, Corey Graves says “less than 100%, 50 would be lucky”.
The main event eventually begins, with Cody landing an early Cody cutter, but landing on the bad shoulder as a grimace comes over the face of the American Nightmare, which would be a regular occurrence during the match.
The first weapon introduced in the Hell In A Cell match is a kendo stick used by Rollins to break a submission from his opponent. The Architect then repeatedly uses the kendo on Rhodes' injured arm and pec, even driving it into the injured pec area, making for a hard watch for all.
The punishment continues for Rhodes as he is pushed into the cage on the outside via his injured arm, not being able to fully use his arm for the majority of the match. Steel steps used to halt Cody’s momentum.
The mockery of Cody Rhodes' late father continues as Rollins introduces a polka dot weight belt to add insult to injury. He is whipped multiple times on the back and right shoulder as Rollins looks to inflict maximum punishment on Rhodes' already battered and bruised body.
A chant of “thank you Rollins” around the Allstate Arena as Seth looks to introduce tables to the match. However, he is unsuccessful with a mistimed frog splash as his opponent moves out of the way, sending him crashing through the table instead.
Following a search under the ring Cody introduces a bull rope, which the Rhodes family is synonymous with. Cody then shouts “put in on God damn it!” to Seth which he accepts. Resulting in a near fall after Rollins is clocked by Cody with the bull rope.
After an exchange in offense, Seth is unsuccessful in an attempted buckle bomb which is reversed into a Cross Rhodes but a kick out by Rollins in the pin. A successful buckle bomb through a table surely spells the end, but Rhodes' pride is too much as he gets the bad shoulder of all shoulders up to kick out.
A nod to Rollins' old mentor and now head of WWE Creative, Triple H as Rollins looks to introduce a sledge hammer looking to end the contest. Continuing the theme with Seth looking for a pedigree which is counter to one of Rhodes own, with a kick out at 2.85s.
Chasing Rollins around the ring with the sledge hammer falls right into the trap of his opponent as he greets him with a stomp upon his return to the ring, with another kick out at the last moment. Another attempt at the stomp turns into a Cross Rhodes, then countered by Seth into his own Cross Rhodes. Cody then immediately transforms almost super human strength as he delivers a thunderous Cross Rhodes.
Cody hits another Cross Rhodes counter once then goes for a second before stopping and throwing Rollins to the ground before picking up the sledge hammer to deliver a final blow to Rollins flush on the face. A risky strategy with his current injury, but pays off with the three count to win the match. A finish reminiscent of Sting vs Triple H at Wrestlemania 2015.
“A fallen angel with a broken wing descended into hell and survived a battle with the devil himself” - Corey Graves post match
An instant classic, to be remembered for many years to come. A potential match of the year candidate. A match like never before, which will not be repeated under the same circumstances.
