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WWE Hell in a Cell 2019 ended in the most bizarre way possible. The long awaited Universal Championship clash between The Fiend and Seth Rollins turned out to be a major disappointment.
Both Rollins and The Fiend gave everything they had to make the contest successful, but the uninteresting script eventually dragged them down. As the match progressed, the whole ordeal became unnecessarily violent and confused the fans.
Rollins’ vain and excessively violent attempt to exterminate The Fiend failed to impress the fans, and the match ended strangely in a referee stoppage. Fans were vocally upset after the match and chanted everything from “AEW!”, to “Restart the match!”, to “Refunds!”
Neither Wyatt nor Rollins appeared on the following episode of RAW. After the nonsensical match, which decreased the reputation of the popular Fiend gimmick, there are three steps WWE must take to make things right.
#1 A surprising rematch which the Fiend wins
The Fiend’s popularity alone was enough for WWE to trust him with a victory at Hell in a Cell. However, the company may have wanted to take more time before putting the Universal Championship around The Fiend's waist, so the match ended the way it did.
As the first match flopped, a slow-burn process would only worsen the feud further. Therefore, a sudden rematch resulting in The Fiend's victory would be the right way to go and undoubtedly welcomed by the audience.
Rollins has been a regular in the Universal Title scene since WrestleMania, so losing it wouldn't hurt his momentum. The Fiend, however, needs an immediate title win, and otherwise risks not being taken seriously by the audience.
The Fiend's long term popularity depends on how much he succeeds in each and every one of his maniacal missions. Moving on from the title scene after a failure to capture the Universal Championship would only serve to diminish the popularity of one of pro wrestling's most over characters.
#2 Using the draft to separate Rollins and The Fiend after the title match
After putting the title on The Fiend, WWE should do everything to erase the memories of the disastrous Hell in a Cell main event. Keeping both Rollins and Wyatt away from each other is the best direction moving forward.
Using the 2019 Draft, WWE should separate the two Superstars and focus on giving them fresh feuds. A move to SmackDown proceeded by a heel turn would certainly refresh things for Rollins, as his very best work came when he worked as a heel.
The WWE Universe received a glimpse of Seth’s heel persona when he attacked the Fiend with repeated chair shots and finishing maneuvers at Hell in a Cell. Rollins proved he would do anything to win. He also proved that this is the perfect time to turn heel and then go on to dominate the Blue Brand.
On WWE’s flagship show, Wyatt would have a great deal of momentum as the reigning Universal Champion. Feuds featuring valiant challengers stepping up one after another to dethrone the dominant evil champion would add a lot of excitement to the product.
#3 Giving some big victories in his title reign en route to WrestleMania
With next year's WrestleMania in mind, The Fiend as a defending champion would make for an interesting dynamic. Due to the freshness of The Fiend gimmick, WWE has the opportunity to offer him a lengthy title reign with several mouth watering matches.
Initially, WWE can show The Fiend as a powerful champion who overwhelms every opponent. After dominating for some time, The Fiend can then engage in higher profile feuds.
Considering The Fiend’s attack on Kane, that could be a potential rivalry. That attack may also lead to a rivalry between The Fiend and The Undertaker at some point. Defending the Universal Championship against 'The Deadman' and coming out on top against one of the greatest wrestlers in history would make The Fiend the company's new face of fear.
Until the right person comes and dethrones The Fiend at WrestleMania, his Universal Championship reign should be a dominant one. Heading into WWE's largest PPV as the ultimate evil champion means that The Fiend would have unparalleled momentum, making him believable as the company's top Superstar.
