WWE Hell In a Cell Predictions: It Makes You Wonder What They're Thinking

So, it's been two whole weeks since the last pay-per-view and we're already looking at the next one.

That's not a lot of time to set up new feuds, so the WWE has basically continued feuds mostly going into this one, with a few wild cards.

As of Saturday morning, there were still only five matches announced for HiaC, but I'm sure that we can expect Vince and Co. to add one or two more before showtime. 

That being said, let's look at the announced matches and what they could mean from a storyline standpoint.

Michelle McCool (w/Layla) (c) vs. Natalya:  Singles Match for the Unified Divas Championship

This match has had no real build and it's a defending champion that I did not feel deserved to hold the belt.  That being said, I'm hoping Natalya can pull the more-veteran McCool to a good match. 

I would look for Layla to cost McCool the belt, igniting a feud between the Diva paragons of perfection and giving an outstanding wrestling Diva and opportunity to defend the belt against a variety of opponents. 

Let's also hope this gives the Divas division more credibility with a more credible champion.

Winner (and new WWE Unified Divas Champion):  Natalya

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. the Miz vs. John Morrison:  Three-Way-Dance for the United States Championship

I can hear the IWC after this match if someone other than Daniel Bryan walks out without the title:  You finally made him a champion, only to strip him after TWO WEEKS!!!!  The howls would almost be worth it to see this talented and charismatic performer lose. 

Hopefully, though, that's not what happens.  This is the latest (and possibly the last for Morrison) chance for Miz and Morrison to show they can advance to the main event scene and be more than Matt Hardy, R-Truth, and the WWE's version of Christian. 

I feel that the company wants the two veterans to carry the match, but continue their own feud (as WWE seems unwilling to turn Morrison heel) past Hell in a Cell, but expect Daniel Bryan to walk away with the win, possibly leading to a feud with the "Varsity Villain" and NXT surprise Alex Riley, although Kaval being inserted into a feud with Bryan would be more than a little interesting.

Winner (and still WWE United States Champion):  Daniel Bryan

John Cena vs. Wade Barrett:  Singles Match with Stipulation - If Cena wins, the Nexus disbands; if Barrett wins, Cena must join the Nexus

Will Cena turn heel?  It would definitely be the correct decision from a storyline standpoint, as the character of Super-Cena the Unbeatable has definitely run its course as the "Most Over Face in WWE History." 

Will Creative and the other boys backstage be willing to let the story be one that makes sense or will the pursuit of keeping Cena as a face no matter what be the final decision? 

The Nexus becomes a six-man unit with Cena as a member (setting them up perfectly for a Survivor Series showdown between Nexus and a team led by Orton or some other over face). 

The Nexus goes away without a Barrett victory, a decision that would take away one of the most exciting stories in years. 

The Creative team has already killed the best stable on Smackdown by ridding themselves of the SES, and I fear after tomorrow, they will have done the same with the best stable on Raw.

Winner (and Destroyer of the Nexus):  John Cena

Randy Orton (c) vs. Sheamus:  Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship

I actually thought that Sheamus had this match after watching Raw.  Then they both showed up on Smackdown and fu--, er, screwed up my original prediction. 

I like the new Red Hand of Ireland bit that Sheamus threw out on Raw and felt that it was the first signal that he would take a more dominant role and show how strong he could be on the way to capturing a third WWE Championship, one he would defend as a strong heel, a role he has yet to really play in the WWE, until at least the Royal Rumble, if not Wrestlemania. 

Watching the first Irish-born WWE Champion stand over a prone Orton on Smackdown made me think otherwise.

Winner (and still WWE Champion and the "Black Hand of the WWE"):  Randy Orton

Kane (c) vs. Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer):  Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship:

The Undertaker gets to break all of the rules, and I'm not just talking about match stipulations.  Normally, whoever looks strongest in the final appearance on Raw or Smackdown should lost the match at the pay-per-view.  I think he breaks that rule here, too. 

He celebrated before the urn as the last image we saw on the season premiere of Smackdown, but I still think he wins this match.  Another loss kills the momentum he's built and tells everyone that Kane is undoubtedly the stronger figure in the feud. 

An Undertaker victory shows that they're solidly competitive and can continue the feud until Survivor Series, where I'm thinking a Buried Alive or Casket Match (both guilty pleasures to watch as far as I'm concerned) is the blow-off and probably the last match for one of these two outstanding veterans. 

This means another month of outstanding promos and action by both Kane and Undertaker before the final victor enters the feud that leads to Wrestlemania and a probably title unification of the WHC and WWE titles.

Winner (and new World Heavyweight Champion):  The Undertaker

Oh, one other prediction.  I don't know how many of you are fans of Texas-OU (or OU-Texas as the Okies call it), but I'm calling for a ticked-off Garrett Gilbert to lead a body of angry Longhorns to victory in Dallas. 

I think the loss to UCLA might become the turning point in the season.  Hook 'em, Horns!