WWE Hell in a Cell 2014 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

For years, when a feud got a little bit out of control, a cage match was the only way to truly settle a score. That's how former partners Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose ended up slugging it out on top of the Hell in the Cell Sunday night in Dallas.

But when the bell rang and the referee proclaimed Rollins the winner, little was settled. A surprise appearance by Bray Wyatt, in hologram form no less, left more questions than answers.

Things haven't always worked quite that way. In the National Wrestling Alliance the cage was designed to keep extraneous friends and foes out of the ring. In the WWF, the cage was there to keep the two foes in—escaping the structure actually ended the match.

Either way, it was a sign that things had gotten serious. A cage match, more often than not, was the final match in a rivalry, the last word after months of squabbling.

Of course even a steel cage has its limits. It doesn't keep anyone out who really wants in, making it less effective than it probably should have been. Luckily, wrestling genius Jim Cornette had a solution in 1997. Then part of the creative team, he came up with an idea for the Hell in the Cell. 

The now iconic structure took the cage match and ramped things up a notch. Cornette's vision was a steel cage with a top. Simple enough in concept and borrowing liberally from Dusty Rhodes' War Games cage, this small addition created a big payoff. Outside of the Royal Rumble it has become the best gimmick match in modern wrestling.

Sunday night Rollins beat Ambrose, and John Cena defeated Randy Orton in the 29th and 30th matches ever contested in the structure. Expectations were high, especially for the two former Shield teammates. Could they live up to the high standards set by predecessors like Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Triple H and Mankind?

That's an awful lot to ask of any man. Perhaps too much. 

For the most part, however, both matches delivered. So did the show as a whole, one of the very best of the year.

What follows is our trademark instant analysis and letter grades for every bout on the show. Matches are graded not just in comparison to each other, but based on how well they live up to their potential and to fans' expectations.

Disagree with our assessments? Feel free to sound off in the comments.

Mark Henry vs. Bo Dallas

Credit: WWE.com

Result

Henry pinned Dallas with the World's Strongest Slam in a squash.

Highlights and Quotes

"I have beat Mark Henry four times. That makes me the new world's strongest man." —Bo Dallas.

Mark Henry proceeded to beat the stuffing out of Dallas. 

"Does that make Mark Henry the world's strongest man again?" —JBL.

Grade

C+

Analysis

I don't think that really counts as a segment. Does it? The two had less than 10 minutes to get in their entrances, a short speech by Dallas and a little match. 

I didn't hate it. I guess that's something.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Antonio Cesaro (Intercontinental Title)

Credit: WWE.com

Result

Ziggler pinned Cesaro by reversing a pinfall.

Ziggler pinned Cesaro with the Zig Zag to defend his title.

Highlights and Quotes

"An old-school throwback dream." —JBL on a matchup of the two hardcore fan favorites.

Great mat sequence to start the bout. These two guys are good at the wrestling. Too bad the marquee says "Male Soap Opera."

Cesaro brings back the giant swing. Insert heart emoji here.

Cesaro's leaping stomp to the midsection is straight-up brutal. Did I already use the "heart emoji" line? Darn. 

Cesaro superplexing his way out of a submission hold was one of the best spots of 2014.

"This is awesome." —The fans. For once I'm not hating that chant.

Grade

A

Analysis

Best-of-three falls signified that this was a throwback. And it was and wasn't. They did some standard 1970s mat sequences, sure.  But two of the WWE's best also mixed in plenty of modern touches and high spots.

The second fall, in particular, was special. Cesaro controlled the action with his collection of amazing high spots but did so while selling an injured arm throughout. That's a fine line to walk—and he walked it like one of the best in the world. 

I wish we would have gotten a third fall. But I understand why we didn't. We expect it, which makes the second fall kind of by-the-numbers. Now, in future matches of this type, WWE fans won't have any idea what to expect. That's pretty exciting. 

Brie Bella vs. Nikki Bella

Credit: WWE.com

Result

Nikki Bella pinned Brie with the Rack Attack. Brie must now serve as Nikki's personal assistant.

Highlights and Quotes

"This is a lifetime in the making." —JBL on this grudge match between sisters. Watching them feud on RAW felt like it lasted a lifetime.

"Nothing about this match could be ugly." —Jerry Lawler, always with his mind in one place—the gutter.

Nikki Bella's submission holds using Brie's hair were brutal.

The two sisters went hard at each other. This was a stiff and competitive match. Respect.

The Rack Attack is both a great move and a great name.

Grade

A-

Analysis

This was amazing. Look, I'll be honest—I didn't expect much from the Bella sisters. Five minutes, a few missed spots, on to the next.

Instead, they delivered a legitimately good wrestling match. The action was crisp and stiff, the moves were well-timed and perfectly executed and they got out before something could go wrong. This is a great start to what might be one of the year's best shows.

The Usos vs. Goldust /Stardust (WWE Tag Team Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

Result

Goldust pinned Jimmy Uso with a Final Cut after Stardust kicked his leg out from underneath him. 

Highlights and Quotes

The announcers refer to Cody and Dustin Rhodes as upstarts. Man, Dustin has been a star since I was a kid. And I'm ancient.

"You went to Syracuse." —JBL, explaining why Michael Cole couldn't figure out Stardust's riddle. 

Somersault leg drop by Jimmy Uso. Cool spot.

Goldust and Stardust are a real throwback team, tagging frequently. You could see them easily in a match against the Midnight Express in 1986. That's a compliment.

Flying Usos! Flying Usos! Flying Usos! You get the point. The Usos—they were flying.

An incredible sequence ended with Goldust getting a near fall with a spinebuster. This is tremendous professional wrestling.

Stereo superplexes from the Usos. 

Great finishing sequence with the Rhodes brother cheating to win. If you aren't cheating, you aren't trying.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Very quietly the Usos have made a case for themselves as one of the great tag teams in WWE history. In the old days that would propel one of them to singles glory. Not sure, however, which of the two brothers has more potential. 

Of course, it's easy to look good in with Goldust. The artist formerly known as Dustin Rhodes is one of the best wrestlers in the entire world. He does the little things that hold a match together and never seems to be in the wrong place.

Randy Orton vs. John Cena (Hell in the Cell)

Credit: WWE.com

Result

John Cena pinned Randy Orton with an AA through a table.

Highlights and Quotes

"It's not just about winning, it's about surviving." —JBL. Surviving? That sounds like a good gimmick for a PPV.

Randy Orton takes forever looking for a weapon under the ring. In the end, it was a steel chair. Anti-climax, thy name is steel chair!

You know who has a good DDT? Randy Orton. 

"Let's go Cena! Cena sucks!" —WWE fans. Will you people make up your minds?

My Internet friend, Craig, isn't into Cena's shoes. Apparently they are like his version of Jordans. You know what? I am indifferent.

Orton and Cena set up a table spot only to have Orton hit an RKO out of nowhere. Good misdirection here.

"I can only imagine what the Viper has in mind." Michael Cole. Um, probably dropping Cena's big head on those metal ring steps. Instead Cena slams him with a clang. Turnabout is fair play.

Orton with a great RKO counter to an Attitude Adjustment. It was not enough.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Some matches are about the nuances, the little things making all the difference between winning and losing. This was not one of those matches. If Ziggler vs. Cesaro was Oscar bait, this was a summer blockbuster. 

There was nothing subtle here. This was broadly performed, an extravaganza of big spots, big facial expressions and big fun. I enjoyed this match, but it was like an echo of matches before it. Everything felt familiar. That's bound to happen when you've wrestled 84 previous times on television.

The Miz vs. Sheamus (US Title Match)

Credit: WWE.com

Result

Sheamus pinned The Miz with a Brogue Kick.

Highlights and Quotes

Mizdow selling moves that Miz gets hit with will never get old.

"When Miz eats does Mizdow get fat?" —JBL. Solid question.

Sheamus with a sick rolling senton. Remind me never to wrestle Sheamus.

"Our announce table stunt double is actually the Spanish announce table." —Michael Cole.

Mizdow mimicking Miz as Sheamus forces him to mime the "YMCA" dance was hysterical.

Grade

B (Match); A (Mizdow)

Analysis

Mizdow has made Miz must-see television. I don't think I've ever said that before. It may run its course at some point. All things do. But right now it's joyous fun. 

Rusev vs. Big Show

Credit: WWE.com

Result

Rusev made Big Show tap out to The Accolade.

Highlights and Quotes

Big Show didn't get this mad when The Authority tried to bankrupt him. This man loves the troops!

"USA! USA! USA!" —The fans.

"Shut up." —Lana. Predictable response. But fair.

"For once, be respectful and rise for the playing of the Russian national anthem." —Lana. Spoiler alert. They did not do this.

Hold up, the Russian National Anthem sounds just like Big Show's theme! Is that right?

This was a straight slobberknocker. Dusty Rhodes would be proud.

Rusev suplexed the Big Show. Did that just happen?

Big Show with a suplexed. Did that just happen?

"A chokeslam for America." —Michael Cole is tripping, y'all.

Everyone expected a Mark Henry heel turn. It never came. Rusev goes over clean as a sheet.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a really smart match with a clean finish. As wrestling fans, it's exactly what we're always clamoring for. Normally this would make me pretty happy. 

But it's hard to smile when America falls short once again. I don't know what to say? If the Big Show can't defend our national honor, who can? I'm a little scared and won't sleep easily tonight, I tell you that.

AJ Lee vs. Paige (Divas Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

Result

AJ Lee made Paige submit to the Black Widow

Highlights and Quotes

Paige did AJ Lee's signature skip. That's just rude.

"Call what she does trash screaming. It's a little louder than trash talking." —Jerry Lawler on Paige.

Nice tornado DDT from AJ.

AJ and Paige work some kind of weird spot on the barricade to set up Paige hitting her head. Alicia Fox then "helped" Paige back in the ring. Paige smacks her around after the match for the mistake.

"I hate you." —Paige to Alicia Fox. So much for the besties. 

Grade

B-

Analysis

AJ and Paige were never really portrayed as friends. That makes this feud feel kind of phony. They needed to be built up before they could be torn down.

Worse still, this match just didn't deliver in the ring. The Bella twins outperformed them handily. At some point it may be time for the WWE to change directions in the Divas division.

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins (Hell in the Cell)

Credit: WWE.com

Result

Seth Rollins pinned Dean Ambrose after Bray Wyatt interfered.

Highlights and Quotes

Dean Ambrose comes out looking as creepy as ever. He looks like a dude who would hit on your girlfriend at a bar even though you're standing right there! I'm right here, Ambrose!

Ambrose climbs the Hell in the Cell to start the match. Oh my goodness! This is going to be something!

"You two go up and get him." —Seth Rollins' making his lackeys, Mercury and Noble, go up and get Ambrose down.

Rollins sneaks up behind Ambrose, and the three work him over on top of the cage. Ambrose rallies to suplex Noble on the unforgiving steel.

Ambrose hits Rollins with a headbutt, and both men take the "Shawn Michaels" bump through the ringside tables.

Both men are strapped to stretchers, but Ambrose gets free, and the match is on! 

"We're going to start the match now?" —JBL, a bit slow to grasp what's happening.

"Now you pay for it. You stabbed me in the back you son of a b---h." —Dean Ambrose, spittle flying.

Ambrose's Japanese-style dropkick sends Rollins flying into the cage. 

Corporate Kane sprays Ambrose with a fire extinguisher, allowing Rollins to rally with a powerbomb through a table. Payback is going to suck for Mr. Ambrose I bet.

Near fall after a brutal clothesline and a briefcase shot. That's a heck of a near fall.

And then, just as it seems the WWE has come up with the perfect show—the lights go out, mumbo jumbo is spoken and Bray Wyatt is in the ring to ruin the match. 

Rollins wins, and the show goes off the air with Wyatt delivering Sister Abigail to Ambrose.

Grade

A

Analysis

Ambrose dropped a Randy Savage-style elbow off the top rope through a table, and it was only like the eighth-best spot of this crazy match. That's the kind of match it was. 

And then Bray Wyatt appeared as an apparition/hologram to interfere with the match.

Leave it to WWE to put on the show of the year and then be unable to stay out of its own way at the end. For Flair's sake, WWE! 

Listen, I don't mind the supernatural stuff. I'm even fine with Ambrose being pulled into a feud with Wyatt. That could be tons of fun. What I ask is simple—when possible let the match tell the story first, then bring on all the tomfoolery you want. 

These two men gave us all they had in the cage. They deserved a chance to finish what they started.