WWE champion Bobby Lashley seeks his Hell in a Cell moment ahead of Sunday’s clash with Drew McIntyre

For months, Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre have shared the highlight whereas battling over the WWE championship. That lengthy historical past might nicely come to an finish on Sunday when Lashley defends the title towards Bobby Lashley inside Hell in a Cell. In line with the stipulations added to the match, ought to McIntyre lose, he can by no means once more problem Lashley for the title, which might carry an finish to a rivalry that has seen the lads battle in three straight pay-per-view occasions.

Lashley’s run as champion has been the achievement of potential and expectations that date again to 2005. Now, he’ll step into Hell in a Cell for the primary time in his profession, marking one other milestone in his spectacular run.

Lashley informed CBS Sports activities that he understands the burden of the second and the seriousness of one in every of WWE’s most harmful matches, however continues to be taking his customary strategy to his job — all whereas avoiding asking for the recommendation of those that have entered the Cell earlier than him.

“You recognize, it is all the identical to me, man,” Lashley mentioned. “I practice for every thing and I anticipate something. That is going to be a tricky one as a result of I already really feel the pains on my physique. That is vital. That is tremendous vital for Drew and myself as a result of we have been preventing for such a very long time and that WWE championship is so vital proper now. It is vital for me and the legacy of every thing that I’ve put in and it is vital to him for making a reputation for himself and solidifying himself in historical past. Proper now, in that, we’re each prepared to do something. It will be loopy, it may be tough and I anticipate to be in numerous ache on Monday however that championship is value it.

“I’ve all the time been a pupil of the sport so I am all the time watching movies and watching tape of what the opposite guys have performed. I do not need to hear how they felt as a result of it is apparent. And I do not need to hear it is worse than it truly is. I’ll put together for the worst and go on the market and simply know what to anticipate. There’s numerous injury that may be prompted to an individual’s physique.”

Hell in a Cell additionally marks the ultimate WWE pay-per-view occasion to be held contained in the ThunderDome, WWE’s digital fan expertise that has grow to be their house throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. July’s Cash within the Financial institution occasion can be held in entrance of a reside crowd as WWE returns to reside touring.

“It will be completely different and particular in that sense, however it may be extra particular as soon as we’re in a position to carry the followers again in,” Lashley mentioned. “We will give them a great present right here. However, in fact, when you will have followers again, that is going to take it one other notch up. I prefer it, I imply, that is one other piece of historical past the place you’ll be able to write that we have been one of many final.”  

WWE can be seeking to make SummerSlam a good larger spectacle than regular in August, putting the occasion in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. A win for Lashley on Sunday would appear to safe that he can be one of many headliners on the summer time spectacular, one thing Lashley is concentrating on as yet one more vital second in his profession.

“I believe in all the numerous years that I’ve wrestled, I’ve by no means had a SummerSlam second,” Lashley mentioned. “So, it is all the time going to be large. It will be big, man, the primary large present with followers coming again. Vegas in an unimaginable stadium like that? Every part is lining up in a method that makes that excellent. I am not going to say it is larger than Mania, however I can say that each new PPV that comes alongside appears to get larger and greater. It does really feel somewhat bit like that sort of WrestleMania card.”

Earlier than SummerSlam, nevertheless, is Hell in a Cell. The match has come to be outlined by spectacularly dangerous falls — although far safer in fashionable instances than when Mick Foley narrowly prevented severe damage in his two now-historic tumbles from the highest of the Cell in 1998.

Requested how he might put his personal stamp on the long-lasting match, Lashley admitted the necessity to have his personal second that shows the sacrifices he’s prepared to make to be on the high of the WWE mountain.

“I believe it is simply enduring and having that second,” Lashley mentioned. “I believe all people has had that second. No matter that second is, it reveals your sheer toughness. Whether or not you win or lose, you will have that second in Hell in a Cell that you would be able to relive and say, ‘That is what I went by. That is what I used to be prepared to do.’ I believe that is the largest factor. In case you look again on the greatest Hell in a Cell moments, that was the actual staple, exhibiting what you are prepared to do to get that title, win or lose.”