Viewed for over a decade as the ultimate score settler, the rivalry ender and even the career crippler, the infamous Hell in a Cell match may no longer be quite what it was back in its heyday, but its always managed to provide us with some unforgettable moments nevertheless. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart, this list looks at ten of the best, most grisliest matches to ever take place within the dreaded structure.
10. John Cena vs. CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio - Hell in a Cell, 2011
The first cell match to ensnare three combatants at the same time, Cena, Punk and Del Rio sought to end their war over the WWE championship once and for all. While still a far cry from the classic cell matches of old, the three superstars chemistry together allowed for some excellent three-way exchanges that managed to push the boundaries of what’s permitted in the PG-era. The fans may have not liked the winner, but it can’t be denied that the ending was well worked and paved the way for an historic title transition just one month later.
9. Armageddon Hell in a Cell - Armageddon, 2000
Put five of the WWE’s biggest superstars at the time (and Rikishi) into the cell at the same time and what do you get? Pure, relentless chaos. A little overbooked and undeniably overcrowded, this Hell in a Cell effort has been remembered over the years for Kurt Angle’s superstar cementing victory, and Rikishi’s Mankind-esque fall from the top of the cell courtesy of, who else, The Undertaker. It wasn’t the greatest of matches, but it definitely lived up to its promise as a hellacious clash of the era's top stars.
8. Batista vs. The Undertaker - Survivor Series, 2007
2007’s best feud came to a shocking conclusion as Batista and The Undertaker battled one final time for the World Heavyweight title. Taking the intensity of their previous encounters and mixing in the trademark brutality of the cell, ‘The Animal’ and ‘The Deadman’ again pushed each other to the limit, before a returning Edge, disguised as a cameraman, interrupted and cost The Undertaker the contest. With the WWE switching to a more family-friendly tone a few months later, this stands as the last cell match produced under the TV-14 rating, and what a final effort it was.
7. The Undertaker vs. Edge - SummerSlam, 2008
Edge’s attack of The Undertaker at Survivor Series was just the beginning, but ‘The Deadman’ would finally bring the long-standing feud full circle with their final battle taking place inside the cell. Featuring shades of preceding cell matches along with nods to some of their earlier clashes, it felt at times that ‘Taker and Edge had forgotten about the company’s new PG policy as they battered each other around the structure. The Undertaker would ultimately emerge victorious, and proceeded to cap off the excellent instalment by sending his ‘Rated-R’ rival ‘straight to hell’.
6. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels - Bad Blood, 2004
One of the decade's greatest feuds, former friends turned bitter rivals Triple H and Shawn Michaels had all but run out of ways to shorten their decorated careers. Unsanctioned matches, Last Man Standing wars, and even a devastating battle inside the Elimination Chamber couldn't bring their long-standing rivalry to an end. Enter the Hell in a Cell. Picture an Iron Man match but inside the confines of the structure and you have a fairly accurate summary of this grueling and criminally underrated gem of a battle which saw Triple H bring the feud to a final end after forty-plus minutes of unforgiving combat.
5. The Undertaker vs. Triple H - WrestleMania XXVIII, 2012
Serving as the sequel to their show-stealing match from the year before, The Undertaker and Triple met for the third and final time at WrestleMania in a special Hell in a Cell match billed as the ‘End of an Era’. Intense, brutal, and, with Shawn Michaels serving as the special guest referee, far more dramatic and emotionally charged than any of its predecessors. A mohawked ‘Taker once again emerged victorious to improve his undefeated ‘Mania streak to an unprecedented 20-0, but left this time with a rediscovered respect for his fellow veterans and former enemies.
4. Triple H vs. Cactus Jack - No Way Out, 2000
Vowing to retire Mick Foley for good after a series of gruesome encounters, Triple H and ‘Cactus Jack’ attempted to settle it once and for all inside the confines of the dreaded structure. Already infamous for past efforts inside the cell, Foley continued to push the boundaries of hardcore with the introduction of his trusty flame-engulfed barbwire plank. The hardcore legend would ultimately end up on the losing end again however after yet another deadly crash through the roof of the cell cost him the match and, for a short time, his career.
3. The Undertaker vs. Mankind - King of the Ring, 1998
Without a shadow of a doubt the single most (in)famous match in Hell in a Cell, and WWE history. A game-changing piece of hardcore mastery that forever altered our expectations of what to expect with this match type. For almost twenty minutes The Undertaker tortured his longtime rival Mankind, with the latter falling from the cell roof not one, but twice. Two consecutive chokeslams onto a huge deposit of thumbtacks spelt the end of the match for Foley, whose career would never be the same again.
2. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker - Badd Blood, 1997
The very first, and still one of the very finest Hell in a Cell matches saw Shawn Michaels finally pitted one-on-one with a vengeance-seeking Undertaker. With nowhere to run and no backup from his DX allies, Michaels suffered a severe beating at the hands of his ‘Undead’ rival, but the unexpected debut of ‘Taker’s half-brother Kane surprisingly turned the match in his favor. A wildly successful first outing for the cell, a match type that would prove instrumental in ushering in a new era for the then-struggling WWF.
1. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker - No Mercy, 2002
I’m sure this might prove a controversial choice among fans, but this unheralded Hell in a Cell match had everything. A young and powerful new champion, a tough veteran with plenty of cell experience, a deeply personal storyline, a injury gimmick and even a slimy (but almost show-stealing) manager at ringside. Previous cell matches had always struggled to find the right balance between story and brutality but this effort totally nailed it. A gory, savage and unforgettable match that served to strengthen Lesnar’s superstar credentials, and further enhance the legendary reputation of not only ‘The Deadman’, but the very cell itself.
Honorable Mentions:
John Cena vs. Randy Orton - Hell in a Cell, 2009
Triple H vs. Chris Jericho - Judgement Day, 2002
Batista vs. Triple H - Vengeance, 2005
What is your favourite Hell in a Cell match? Leave your comments in the section below!
