WWE Hell in a Cell 2014: Feuds That Must End at Event

There was a time when Hell in a Cell matches were used as the culmination of a bitter feud. Back then, their status as a major attraction was a by-product of the rivalries that played out inside its structure, rather than just a selling point for a pay-per-view.

Awkwardly placed ahead of Survivor Series—a time-tested opportunity to extend a feud if there ever was one—the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view should be a time when feuds come to their conclusion inside the cell. Instead, it's all too often been a case of an unnecessary stipulation on an unworthy feud.

However, there's a chance that this year we might see several programs come to a definitive end at the show, some within the structure itself. As with all things, there's something to be said for stopping a wrestling feud before it completely runs out of steam—the following will benefit all the more from going no further than Hell in a Cell.

At present, it looks unlikely that Rusev and Big Show will clash inside the Hell in a Cell structure itself, but their bout should come to just as definitive an end as if they were. Rusev has been one of NXT's most successful transfers to the main roster, but that could all grind to a halt if he gets bogged down in a feud like this.

Over the past few months, Rusev has been constantly upping his game in the ring. His matches with Jack Swagger and Big E earlier in the year were super, but his recent duel with Mark Henry failed to have the same impact.

Credit: WWE.com

Rusev wrestles like a super-heavyweight, but he's at his best when he can show off his athleticism alongside an opponent. Mark Henry couldn't quite offer that, and it seems doubtful that Big Show will be able to either. Boring pay-per-view matches are a death knell in today's environment—there's so much talent on the roster that poor performances between the ropes will cost a performer.

At Hell in a Cell, Rusev needs to pick up a win and move swiftly on to better things. This is a guy who could be a main eventer for years to come—but he could also have his talent squandered if he's not used correctly.

Speaking of future main eventers, it seems that we're actually going to see the most logical Hell in a Cell match in quite some time, Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose. Their feud has been the best thing on WWE television this year and has done wonders for both, but it's time for it to come to an end.

Credit: WWE.com

Over the past month, we've seen the rivalry diluted somewhat thanks to John Cena rearing his head. Now it's time for a resounding conclusion, before the waters get any more muddied.

There have been calls for this feud to end at TLC, in a ladder match for Rollins' Money in the Bank briefcase—certainly a tantalizing match if there ever was one. That said, it's time to strike while the iron is hot. With a feud that's been ongoing for several months, another three pay-per-view matches might be overkill.

This isn't going to be the last time we see Rollins and Ambrose take to the ring. The pair will almost certainly clash for a world title before all is said and done—and there's certainly time for that. This feud has been wonderful, but it's come to the point where it makes sense to draw a line under it and leave people hungry to revisit it further down the line.

If you ever needed evidence that a feud could be overdone, you need only look to the other Hell in a Cell match booked for Oct. 26. Randy Orton vs. John Cena will be the first pair to meet inside the structure twice—and fans can only hope that their latest encounter will end after its first match.

Credit: WWE.com

For a rivalry pitched by WWE as one of the biggest ever, it's difficult to get excited about the prospect of these two meeting. Their first Hell in a Cell effort was far from memorable and their most recent pay-per-view battle—back at this year's Royal Rumble—was a truly insipid affair that left audiences feeling slighted.

There couldn't be a bigger chasm between the two Hell in a Cell matches set for this year's event. One represents the future of the company taking its shot and will undoubtedly be a barnburner. The other is a tired pairing that calls to mind the worst excesses of repetition that's come to exemplify the WWE main event.

With WWE on the verge of a new generation, it would certainly be disappointing to see Cena and Orton take the main event spot over Rollins and Ambrose. Hell in a Cell could easily offer up more of the same—but we could be on the verge of the shock of the new.

Which feuds do you think should reach their end at Hell in a Cell? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.