WWE Hell In A Cell 2018: Analysing and grading each match

#5 AJ Styles def. Samoa Joe (WWE Championship)

Samoa Joe was convinced that he should have won

Match: Samoa Joe’s powerful offence helped him get the upper hand in the first half of the match. AJ Styles then had several impressive moments, including a springboard 450 splash, but he struggled to put his opponent away. In the end, the WWE champ rolled through a Coquina Clutch and pinned Joe for the 1-2-3. However, Joe was convinced that Styles tapped out before the 3-count – something the referee didn’t see – and replays showed that he was correct.

Verdict: While this was still a good match, it had shades of Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania 34 about it and it wasn’t as captivating as the previous encounter between the two men at SummerSlam. That being said, the creative finish was executed well and it perfectly sets up the rematch at Super Show-Down.

Grade: B