Hell in a Cell 2011: Del Rio Regains the Title as Chaos Takes Over

Sheamus and Christian open the pay-per-view with a strong thirteen-minute singles match that immediately gives the card a dependable wrestling base. Christian repeatedly tries to slow Sheamus and create openings through timing rather than power, while Sheamus keeps forcing the pace with heavier offense and direct counters. The match benefits from clear escalation instead of excessive interference, and both men receive enough time to establish credible near-falls. Christian finally commits to the Spear, but Sheamus avoids it and sends him into the ring post. Sheamus then lands the Brogue Kick and scores the clean pin. The result continues their rivalry without sacrificing the opener's payoff, and the match stands as one of the night's better examples of straightforward WWE pay-per-view wrestling.

The two Sin Caras receive nearly ten minutes to separate the blue-and-gold original from the black-and-silver impostor, but the match never becomes as fluid as the visual concept promises. Both wrestlers lean heavily on mirrored movement and lucha-style counters, which creates several attractive exchanges but also produces moments where the timing feels hesitant. The crowd has difficulty sustaining investment because the identities are still being explained through costume color and commentary. The finish is decisive enough. Sin Cara Azul counters late and hits a sunset-flip powerbomb for the pin. The victory gives the original Sin Cara control of the rivalry heading toward the mask-versus-mask conclusion on SmackDown, but the pay-per-view match itself remains more curiosity than standout attraction.

Air Boom defend the WWE Tag Team Championship in a lively match that uses Bourne and Kingston's speed against the more grounded combination of Ziggler and Swagger. The challengers create their best stretch by isolating Bourne and forcing the champions to fight from underneath, while Kingston provides the expected bursts of momentum when the pace finally opens. Vickie Guerrero remains a presence at ringside without deciding the match. Swagger appears ready to finish Bourne with a Superbomb, but Bourne turns the move into a super hurricanrana. He follows with a roll-up and pins Swagger to retain the titles. The clean result preserves Air Boom's championship momentum and gives the undercard one of its more energetic matches without overcomplicating the finish.

Mark Henry's first World Heavyweight Championship defense is the event's strongest sustained match because it proves his Night of Champions win was not a one-night coronation. Orton works with more urgency than in their first title match and repeatedly looks for the RKO, while Henry uses his size and patience to keep the champion's rematch from turning into a sprint. The Cell adds menace without becoming a substitute for the wrestling. Orton finally lands the RKO for a major near-fall and then prepares for the Punt Kick. Henry intercepts him, plants Orton with the World's Strongest Slam and scores the clean pin. The decisive retention strengthens the Hall of Pain run and makes Henry feel fully established as a legitimate world champion.

Cody Rhodes' impromptu Intercontinental Championship defense against John Morrison is more notable for the presentation of the restored championship design than for the seven-minute match that follows. Morrison immediately gives the bout movement through springboard offense and forces Rhodes to wrestle without much preparation, while Rhodes relies on compact counters and opportunistic timing. The sudden announcement keeps the match from having meaningful rivalry context, and neither man receives enough time to build a deeper finishing stretch. Morrison attempts a springboard roundhouse kick late, but Rhodes avoids it and catches him in an Oklahoma Roll for the pin. Rhodes retains cleanly enough, and the title presentation gives the segment historical texture, but the wrestling remains a functional midcard defense rather than a major attraction.

Beth Phoenix finally converts her pursuit of Kelly Kelly into a Divas Championship victory after two prior pay-per-view losses, giving the program its needed payoff. Phoenix attacks the champion's lower back and wrestles with more sustained control than at SummerSlam or Night of Champions, while Kelly continues to rely on movement and sudden counters. The match also benefits from a stronger crowd response once the title change feels possible. Natalya eventually strikes Kelly with the microphone while the referee is distracted. Phoenix immediately capitalizes with the Glam Slam and scores the pin. The interference keeps the finish from being completely clean, but the title change is logical and gives Phoenix the championship after weeks of escalating pressure.

The first Triple Threat Hell in a Cell match gives Cena, Punk and Del Rio enough time to create a distinctive main event without simply repeating their recent singles programs. The structure improves when the Cell begins separating competitors rather than merely containing them, especially after Ricardo Rodriguez opens the door and introduces the lead pipe. Cena removes Rodriguez outside, only for Del Rio to strike Cena with the pipe and lock him out of the Cell. Punk then fights Del Rio alone and nearly reaches the Go to Sleep. Del Rio uses the pipe again, pins Punk and regains the WWE Championship. The match itself is strong, while the post-match Miz and R-Truth invasion turns the closing scene into a major authority-crisis angle.