Hell in a Cell 2018: Predicting the match order

Sunday's Hell in a Cell pay per view has eight matches scheduled, which seems short compared to what we've been seeing recently. The card is strong, but the ordering of the matches will be crucial in helping fans to avoid burnout.

Based on how the company sees the performers and current trends, it's possible to get a gauge of how the matches will be ordered on Sunday night. Let's take a look at how things should go.

---

#1 The New Day vs. Rusev Day (kickoff)

Should be a fun kickoff.

This has already been announced for the kickoff show and it should be a great way to amp up the excitement before the main show starts. The New Day always delivers in a tag team title defense and Rusev Day is a reliable, fun act that should get the audience invested in the outcome.

Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news.

The result will be predictable, especially since the match between the New Day and Bar has already been announced for Australia next month, but the match will definitely make the kickoff show worth watching.

---

#2 Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy

Why is this a cell match?

Hell in a Cell is an event that usually starts the main card with its namesake match, which puts Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton in that spot, even though both the WWE and SmackDown Women's Championship matches feel more deserving to be in the sadistic structure.

Nevertheless, this should make for a memorable event to begin the festivities. We're guaranteed to see at least one wild Jeff Hardy spot, and Randy Orton's new attitude is tailor-made for this kind of match.

This should amp the crowd up enough to get them excited for the rest of the night.

#3 Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre vs. The Shield

Please retain.

The stakes are higher here than they would be in an ordinary tag team title match, as should the Shield prevail, they'll have all the available gold on Monday nights, essentially leaving the entire show without competitive divisions or compelling storylines elsewhere. It would make an already bad show even worse.

With those considerations noted, this would be an ideal match to follow up the Orton/Hardy Hell in a Cell curtain jerker, getting the crowd used to regular wrestling until the next Cell match comes.

#4 AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe

The mid card champ that runs the camp!

Unfortunately, the WWE Championship has been booked like a mid-card title ever since the dual-branded pay per view format returned. With no Intercontinental or United States Championship defense, it's now going to be essentially official.

All that said, Styles and Joe should still deliver the best wrestling match of the night. Putting them in the middle of the show would at least prevent waning fan interest which could affect the rest of the programming. If we see some of Joe's promo work in the match like at SummerSlam, it will be memorable.

#5 Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch

Showdown.

This is arguably the most eagerly anticipated match of the night. It's been given higher priority than the WWE Championship, and so will likely follow that match on the card.

Charlotte and Becky will engage in the first of what will be a string of matchups to ride out 2018, so this is going to set the stage for things to come. It can also raise the energy of the fans more so that the next two matches can cool them down enough before the main event begins.

#6 Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse

The reality TV angle is here!

Unfortunately, this is going to be SmackDown's main event on the night. It's been getting the main event spot on Tuesday nights consistently, and this is certainly going to be used as footage for the respective couples' reality shows, which seem more important to WWE than putting on good weekly content.

This will be the first of two cool down matches to make the main event shine brighter.

#7 Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss

The rematch no one wanted.

This will probably go on second last, and that might not be such a bad thing since it's the traditional bathroom break spot on the card. The outcome here isn't in doubt and this match feels like it's happening solely to fill in time.

To make matters worse, Ronda Rousey will probably have to sell some for Alexa Bliss, which can make for a comical spot at least.

Hopefully, it stays short.

#8 Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman

Renewed.

There's a better chance of the sun rising in the west than this not being the main event on Sunday. It's just as well because while the booking has been horrendous, this is a pairing that could reinvigorate the Hell in a Cell match and get it closer to its old glory.

The presence of Mick Foley certainly allows for more shenanigans in an already intense war, which could make for a good, intriguing contest, but Roman Reigns is certainly going to retain his championship. Don't expect a new champion to be crowned.