WWE: 5 Possible Hell in a Cell Outcomes for Ryback

From where we stand, it seems inevitable that Ryback is destined to lose to CM Punk in the Hell in a Cell main event.

With John Cena set to return from injury and The Rock's return at Royal Rumble looming, Ryback's spell in the spotlight looks like it may have to be short-lived.

But with the newest sensation having built up so much momentum in the past few weeks and months, is there a possible post-Hell in a Cell scenario for him to lose and yet remain high-profile?

Here are five potential storylines for Ryback, should he lose the big one at the PPV.

The Brock Lesnar Syndrome

Having been beaten by The Rock at WrestleMania, John Cena had to beat the returning Brock Lesnar at the subsequent Extreme Rules PPV.

But the WWE also had to make Lesnar look like the monster heel he is supposed to be at the same time.

Solution: Have Lesnar completely dominate the fight, yet Cena pull out the shock win at the climax—problem solved, right?

I could well see this scenario working for Ryback at Hell in a Cell, but that's as long as Punk doesn't give an impromptu promo and refuse to be carried out on the stretcher provided him at ringside.

Montreal All over Again

Then there's the screwjob ending scenario—the most plausible in my book.

Punk seems nearly incapable of winning a match cleanly at the moment, and it would certainly reflect well on Ryback were he to steal a win in the cell.

Quite how he would do this inside the steel structure I'm not sure—there are only so many matches the WWE can end with a wrestler's foot on the bottom rope going unnoticed.

But for Punk to cheat his way to victory would be in total keeping with the buildup to the PPV.

Watch out Antonio!

Now to the possible post-Hell in a Cell scenarios.

One—which must be considered a real possibility—is that Ryback will be thrown straight into the title picture for a lesser belt.

Ruling out the Intercontinental Championship in light of The Miz and Kofi Kingston's current feud, United States Championship seems the most likely gold.

Antonio Cesaro would make a good heel for Ryback to feud with, but he would be lucky to hold on to his precious belt were this to happen.

Triple Threat, Anyone?

The simplest eventuality in the wake of Hell in a Cell would be to just have Ryback remain in the WWE Championship picture, eventually joined by the healed up John Cena.

A massive triple-threat main event at Survivor Series may not be ideal, considering the fact that it would contain two babyface superstars, but would certainly help the PPV's buyrate.

Of course, John Cena may even remain on the sidelines beyond October, but considering that Survivor Series is one of the more high-profile events in the calendar, I can't really see this happening.

How about a Cena heel turn? Anyone?

Back to the Grind

Lastly, there is the most boring scenario—that Ryback will simply go back to the midcard, or perhaps the upper-midcard once Hell in a Cell concludes.

Possible opponents? Big Show, Alberto del Rio, a heel Randy Orton (yeah right!) or even a returning Brock Lesnar.

Whatever does happen, Ryback cannot simply go back to squashing lowercards two at a time—if the WWE reverts to their original strategy, his momentum will quickly fade.

Because now that the WWE has pushed him so far, so quickly, it must stick to its guns, instead of letting a real opportunity go to waste.

What do you think the future holds for Ryback? If he does lose to CM Punk at Hell in a Cell, how will it happen?

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