Ranking and grading every match at Hell in a Cell 2018

#3 Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles (WWE Championship)

With or without the Cell, this match was a slugfest.

Result: AJ Styles wins after rolling through the Coquina Clutch

WWE missed a step in not putting this match in the Cell, they even had an in-ring finish even if it was not definitive. This kind of personal feud is what the steel structure was made for. The video package perfectly painted Samoa Joe as a creepy man with calculated intentions. It started a little slow but got better as the match progressed. Joe's diverse move set is always a treat to watch, but it looks much better when he is facing a masterful seller like AJ Styles.

They have probably never had a bad match against each other. Rightly described as a dangerous technician, Joe hit AJ with a crushing Lariat which busted the Champ's mouth wide open.

The match just kept on getting better and better. Probably as good, if not better than the match at SummerSlam. The ending came when Joe countered a Phenomenal Forearm with the Coquina Clutch, only for Styles to roll through and get the sneaky pinfall. He had won the match and retained his championship, but it was controversial.

On second viewing, it turned out that AJ actually submitted to the Clutch before the 3-count. This feud will be settled in some type of stipulation match at Super Showdown. It will do well to meet the high standards these two have reached so far.

Grade: A-