WWE SmackDown: Top 5 performers on last show before Hell in a Cell - former Universal champion pinned, new King crowned (June 18, 2021)

#2 Rey Mysterio (competed in his first-ever Hell in a Cell match on WWE SmackDown)

Rey Mysterio was unbelievably good in this match

The main event of WWE SmackDown saw Rey Mysterio step inside the ring for his first-ever Hell in a Cell match. The masked legend challenged Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship after the Tribal Chief mercilessly brutalized Dominik Mysterio a couple of weeks ago. Rey Mysterio stepped inside the ring as a father, and he fought like a hero.

.@reymysterio is ALL OVER @WWERomanReigns!#SmackDown #HellInACell #UniversalTitle @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/CzpHXW4M9y

— WWE (@WWE) June 19, 2021

He figured early in the match that a huge difference in size would be his biggest disadvantage. So Rey Mysterio resorted to creative attacks right from the start. He used steel chairs to keep Reigns from fighting back for most of the match. Rey was swift with his movement, taking the Champion by surprise and delaying his reactions.

Despite dominating in the first half of the match, Rey Mysterio couldn’t capitalize at the right moment. From slamming Reigns into the cage to ruthlessly hitting him in the back with multiple chair shots, he did everything to keep his opponent down. However, Reigns fought back and eventually defeated Mysterio to retain his title on WWE SmackDown.

🌹🔥🌹🔥#SmackDown #HIAC #UniversalTitle @reymysterio pic.twitter.com/A7qbK2d6Rh

— WWE (@WWE) June 19, 2021

Rey took a lot of punishment, but he worked brilliantly to put Reigns over throughout this match. Even after winning, Reigns attacked Rey Mysterio for making a bold statement. Between this and an expected title feud with The Usos, it appears that Rey and Dominik Mysterio have a promising storyline awaiting them on WWE SmackDown.