WWE Hell in a Cell 2014: Handicapping Most Likely Swerves at Marquee PPV

WWE Hell in a Cell feels like a transitional pay-per-view, with no WWE World Heavyweight Championship match and new main eventers Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.

WWE has had a tendency of over-delivering in these spots as fans become complacent and the promotion feels the need to provide swerves.

If ever there were a pay-per-view in need of a significant plot twist to inject more life into WWE storylines, WWE Hell in a Cell presents several opportunities for just that.

Proposition: Daniel Bryan appears during Brie Bella-Nikki Bella match

Odds: +325 (A $100 bet wins $325)

Explanation: WWE has been sure to keep Daniel Bryan in the minds of fans throughout the Nikki Bella-vs.-Brie Bella storyline. Brie has inherited his "Yes" chant, while Nikki continues to take shots at her “troll” of a husband, whom Nikki has blamed in part for ruining her relationship with her twin.

F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc) recently reported Bryan may not return until after WrestleMania. While absence makes the heart grow fonder, at a certain point fans will move on. If Bryan really is expected to be out for another six months, WWE may want to consider booking cameo appearances between now and his return so he remains somewhat relevant.

The Rock’s recent unadvertised return to free TV demonstrates that this type of surprise is not out of the realm of possibility. Still, Bryan has not been seen or heard from on WWE TV throughout the duration of the Bella feud, so the odds of this happening are less likely than the others.

Proposition: Randy Orton turns babyface

Odds: +225

Explanation: Randy Orton’s babyface turn isn’t a matter of "if" but "when." Orton has slowly but surely shown more on-camera frustration with his lot in The Authority since losing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX.

With no rematch in sight and Seth Rollins encroaching on his main event real estate, Orton has been rendered a tattooed ticking time bomb.

WWE is wisely pacing Orton’s inevitable turn. Orton and Rollins teased a potential brawl Monday on Raw, with fans siding with Orton. Orton’s match against John Cena and Rollins' match against Ambrose will be immediately compared. If one loses and the other wins, it will only intensify their animosity for each other.

Outside interference in either Hell in a Cell match could result in Orton turning his back on The Authority, which remains one of a few hooks that would make another match between him and Cena interesting.

Proposition: Mark Henry turns heel

Odds: -110

Explanation: Mark Henry and The Big Show have been suspiciously chummy since Henry’s loss to Rusev. Henry has already displayed heel tendencies at the expense of Bo Dallas, who has scored multiple victories over the slumping World's Strongest Man.

A future Henry-Big Show feud was made more imminent when Henry interfered in Show’s match against Rusev, resulting in a disqualification victory for the Russian. A post-match argument followed before both men quickly got back on the same page.

Show has thrown out subtle jabs at Henry in promos, including a recent one on Raw where he apologized to Henry before claiming he had what Henry lacked in carrying over 300 million Americans on his back for an international showdown.

A rematch between Big Show and Rusev has been announced for Hell in a Cell. Mark Henry will figure to get involved, and if he doesn’t cost the Big Show the match intentionally, it should be considered an upset. 

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