Hell in a Cell.
A cage with a roof on it.
Created by Jim Cornette in 1997, the match was meant to be the ultimate grudge match.
The perfect way to end a blood feud.
Maybe not in practice, but thats the feel the match gave.
The matches were innovative and continued to introduce new spots that went along with their interesting in-ring stories.
Unfortunately, after that, the match began to lose meaning.
Matches would happen in Hell in a Cell for no reason other than it being the PPV gimmick.
As it is right now, there have been 38 Hell in a Cell matches throughout WWE history.
Ive taken it upon myself to watch every one of them (thank you, WWE web link!)
and rank them from worst to best.
Also, Im not counting the infamous Kennel from Hell match between Al Snow and Big Boss Man.
Word of warning: Undertaker vs. Mankind isnot#1 on the list.
It isnt even in my top five.
I…oh, you already clicked the X in the right hand corner.
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38.
I mean, I guess I get it.
Undertaker vs. Boss Man didnt really have any oomph to it.
Not only was it heel vs. heel, but it was a main eventer heel vs. a mid-card drone.
It would be like if they had Brock Lesnar vs. Bo Dallas on the grandest stage.
The Hell in a Cell was added to spruce things up.
The match was droll beyond compare.
Available to be viewed only on a fans camera (thank you, YouTube!
It would be the three men in the ring, plus Swagger and Ziggler.
The short match played like a handicap match, with the three heels beating down on the weakened faces.
Any time someone tried to make a comeback, one of the extra heels would knock them back down.
Not only has it beenbrought up as a piece of trivia, but theyvereleased photos of the bout.
TRIPLE H
Bad Blood (2004)
Oh my God, this match.
I was warned about it for years, but finally watching it…man.
The best term Ive heard to describe this match is self-indulgent.
After a feud that lasted forever, Triple H and Michaels had a match that lasted forever.
48 minutes, to be more specific.
When a match is long for the sake of being long, then I usually have problems with it.
On second thought, dont see also).
Other than that, it will put you to sleep.
RYBACK VS. CM PUNK
Hell in a Cell 2012
Theres a lot at fault in this one.
As someone who loved his initial face run, I cant blame them.
They put so much emphasis on Cena and they needed someone new to rise up.
Like many modern Hell in a Cell matches, this one had virtually no use of the Cell itself.
It was just 20 minutes of CM Punk trying to get away from Ryback.
Ryback then destroyed Maddox and chased Punk up the cage, where he delivered the Shell Shock.
So at least it had that going for it.
A shame that thisHell in a CellPPV had only one Cell match and yet they wasted it on this.
The most laughable part of the match was when they brought the steel steps into the ring.
Sheamus used it by doing his backbreaker while standing on it.
It still could have been a lot better.
The bad news is that I have never seen a good Undertaker vs. Kane match ever.
This wins by default.
Kane secretly beat Undertaker into a coma and publicly tried to solve the mystery of who did it.
Then Undertaker came back to avenge himself, only he was all sickly and weak.
Kane had been able to siphon off his magic somehow.
Undertaker was down in the dumps until Paul Bearer showed up to be at his side once again.
The idea of the match is perfect.
The two first met each other when Undertaker was in a Hell in a Cell match.
What better way to bring it full circle?
The two had a relatively passable match that had little to do with it being Hell in a Cell.
While not the biggest improvement, at least Punk and Ryback were able to work better under this dynamic.
Come on, son.
Orton chose for their rematch to be Hell in a Cell, again, watering down the concept.
Plus there was a lengthy rest hold.
Of course there was.
Why I find it weird is that it isnt even a match to begin with.
I dont even recall the bell ringing.
A match tends to have a beginning and an end and this one has neither!
It took place on theRawleading up to the infamous Undertaker vs. Mankind match atKing of the Ring.
Growing annoyed, he saw Mankind coming towards him and attacked first.
Kane left the cage as well and it was a two-on-one brawl.
It wasnt much, but it was memorable and an awesome way to push the story forward.
I rank this higher than the others because I really liked the logic of the ending.
After a ref bump spot cheated Cena out of the win, Orton dropped him with an RKO.
Simple, but something he couldnt legally do in a regular singles encounter.
Then he released him from the ropes and did his punt, allowing him an arguably-clean pin on Cena.
The explanation was that Ortons leg wasnt 100%.
Sure, why not.
I mean, what are your talking points in that confrontation?
Meanwhile, the main event wasnt even a title match at all.
As you might guess, there were a lot of angry CM Punk fans out there.
Orton got the pin.
The sad part is that the fans had the option of voting Bob Backlund as the referee, butnooooooo!
Although its a slog at times, this one had its moments of brilliance.
It made for one hell of a nearfall.
Unfortunately, it all kind of fell apart in the end.
The final moments reeked of sounded good on paper.
This ultimately blew up in Rusevs face because Roman was able to spear him off the steps.
THE ROCK VS. UNDERTAKER VS. KURT ANGLE VS.
It was especially great because of how everyone was a believable winner (and Rikishi).
Unfortunately, this was an instance where there were too many cooks spoiling the broth.
Most of the match was just aimless brawling between the six wrestlers that went on and on.
The stuff that wasnt just aimless brawling was outstanding because of the talent involved.
Its actually treated as a final chapter and not as yet another match to lead into their next match.
The Cell-related stuff was pretty dumb across the board.
Cena lightly shoving Ortons back into the fencing was laughable.
If anything, this ranks as high as it does due to some really unique counters from Orton.
He was able to reverse the Five Knuckle Shuffle into a powerslam.
Orton reversed a shoulder tackle into an RKO and got super pissed when it didnt amount to a three-count.
He even reversed an Attitude Adjustment into an RKO, which was rad.
In the end, Cena won via an Attitude Adjustment off the top rope, through a table.
If this is to be their last major battle, it would be a decent way to do it.
DX and Legacy, on the other hand, proceeded to make something interesting out of it.
Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase attacked Triple H and Michaels on the way to the ring.
Eventually, Triple H left and returned with bolt-cutters so he could enter the Cell and save Michaels.
It was an excellent story of a match that was only hampered from how needlessly long it was.
They easily could have shaved off at least five minutes and handed it to the earlier Undertaker/Punk match.
Regardless, this match has the perfect tale of the heels getting what they deserved.
Normally, Legacys tactics would have been acceptable because of the rules of the match.
It was dishonorable, but clever.
SHANE MCMAHON VS. KEVIN OWENS
Hell in a Cell 2017
This match was almost very good.
A missed splash or reversing the Pop-Up Powerbomb into a triangle hold.
His comebacks were believable.
Even the latter part could have worked, but it just went on too long.
We still got our crazy spot anyway, with Shane doing another freaky jump.
This time, with Sami Zayn making a surprising heel turn and rescuing Owens.
First off, I love the match-up itself.
The odds were stacked against DX, but in a way that was believable if they were to win.
Everyone played their role to perfection and it was an excellent endgame to the never-ending DX/McMahon feud.
The only reason I cant rank it any higher is because it ended in the most embarrassing way possible.
Vince tried to force Michaels into kissing his ass.
This was prevented and soon Big Show was taken out of the equation.
Shane was practically dead on the outside.
Then they grabbed Vince and shoved him headfirst between the cheeks.
You know, actually swinging it instead of doing that lame thrust attack.
It had some crazy moments throughout and the highlights go high.
Lots of innovation, including the image above.
But man oh man did this match go on forever.
Triple H at times.
UNDERTAKER VS. RANDY ORTON
Armageddon 2005
Ah, the early days of Orton as a heel.
Back when he was filled with charisma and goofy facial expressions.
This was during his time as the Legend Killer with his father Bob Orton following him around.
At this point, Orton had stolen Undertakers urn for the sake of messing with him.
The match was pretty solid, albeit not totally memorable until the last few moments.
With the ref hurt, another ref opened the door and entered, allowing Bob to follow.
Undertaker destroyed him and tried to Tombstone Orton.
Orton reversed into his own Tombstone, but it took the ref too long to make the count.
You know, despite the fact that all three dudes were bleeding during the match.
Even with Kevin Nash being Kevin Nash, its still a rather solid match and totally worth checking out.
Make no mistake, it was Triple H doing a total carry job, but he did it well.
Foley was the special referee for this, which led to one of the more eye-rolling moments.
Triple H brought out Foleys trademark two-by-four with barbwire wrapped around it.
Foley was totally cool with that and it led to a couple nice spots.
Sweet ending too, where Nash took the sledgehammer to the face and didnt go down completely.
Triple H didnt risk it and just went straight for the Pedigree, which finished the job.
Add in a couple ripe table spots and youre in for a good time.
The problem was the pacing.
Not that he gave up.
As I watched this match for the first time since it aired, I was enthralled.
It was incredibly good.
It took all the highlights of the Undertaker match, but used it better.
I was strongly considering ranking this above Undertaker vs. Mankind as I was finding it overall superior.
The ref called for the bell.In a Hell in a Cell match!Goddamn it, Russo!
It just ruined an otherwise fantastic bout.
DEAN AMBROSE VS. SETH ROLLINS
Hey, speaking of matches ruined by silly endings!
Shane McMahon facing Undertaker in Hell in a Cell atWrestleManiais still a surreal concept.
At the very least, the story it told was a good one.
Shane showed guts and lets loose with enough offense, but still couldnt pull it off in the end.
All well and good except for a couple things.
Had this match happened 10-15 years earlier, it would have been a classic.
This is a man who has survived three F5s and kept fighting.
A man who kicked out after taking Sweet Chin Music immediately followed by a Pedigree.
Its a long-ass match at a long-assWrestleMania, but the ending was still hot fire.
Quality matches, but terrible feud.
First, theirWrestleManiafeud was more about Triple H vs. Stephanie with Jericho hanging out in the background.
A shame, since the matches such as this were completely solid.
This match was done incredibly well.
Then they started getting into the basic Cell-related attacks like shoving each other into the fencing and steps.
He chased Jericho up the cage, where they finished the match on the roof.
Triple H nailed the Pedigree and pinned him 20 feet over the ring.
A very badass match with a couple funny things to come out of it.
Far better than theotherattempt to write him off.
To build up the Undertaker/Orton match atArmageddon 2005, Josh Matthews interviewed White about Hell in a Cell.
This triple threat is no different.
All three guys had amazing chemistry and made the most of their surroundings.
The best he could do was cheer on Punk, hoping to prolong the inevitable.
Del Rio won, but once they pulled up the cage, Cena went for revenge.
Nobody could do anything until the authorities were able to cut launch the chains.
A truly hot main event that is kind of laughable to look at nowadays.
The story was fine.
), Triple H was the one who got to walk out on his own strength.
Shawn Michaels was brought in as referee, meaning the odds would be stacked against Undertaker.
The match was mostly drama and weapon shots.
Triple H would destroy him with chairs, steps, sledgehammers, etc.
and would constantly tell Michaels to end it or he would.
Then Undertaker would angrily demand that he not end the match.
Great plot, but they overdid it.
Michaels went full-on ham that it got kind of laughable near the end.
Ive calmed down since then.
The turning point came when Owens sprayed a ref with a fire extinguisher out of desperation.
That caused the Cell to be opened up, allowing Chris Jericho in.
On one hand, that practically spelled out the ending.
Of course Owens and Jericho were going to overwhelm Rollins.
Undertaker went in with a broken hand.
Because Brock was the one responsible, it was decided that Undertaker could fight with his cast on.
Great for his offense, but terrible for his defense.
Lesnar was able to fight Undertaker just as viciously as Undertakers known to fight, especially in this setting.
He removed the cast, but little of the remaining match had anything to do with attacking Undertakers hand.
Instead, Lesnar simply fought him head-on like a man.
Then he celebrated by climbing up the cage with the belt and going all King Kong.
UNDERTAKER VS. MANKIND
King of the Ring 1998
Yup.
Ranked it at seven.
Listen, the match is an amazing experience.
Im not going to argue that.
The spots are breathtaking and legendary and will never be forgotten.
But even Foley will agree that the match isntthatgood outside of his stunts.
Its a great highlight reel that isnt very much of a match.
Maybe Im a softy, I dont know.
I just think the remaining seven matches on this list are more solid outings.
His feud with Undertaker was phenomenal.
Stemming fromWrestleMania, the two had a series of matches based on a face vs. face rivalry.
Well, thats a big deal.
Undertaker was always able to bring out the best in Batista and this match was no different.
The two went at it like they outright hated each other.
The two fought an even match, culminating in a Tombstone onto the steel steps.
After the match, Edge returned to beat on Undertaker some more with a chair.
It was cheap, but Edge sold the behavior so well.
Batista won the war and retained, but Undertaker practically showed he was the better man.
Plus we got a great Undertaker vs.
Edge feud out of it.
They just have that crazy chemistry.
They ended one of their feuds with a Hell in a Cell match and certainly made it count.
Even with New Days silly gimmicks, they took their more colorful aspects ie.
Xavier Woods trombone and turned it something worthy of a good hardcore battle.
TRIPLE H
Vengeance 2005
As I said, Batista only had two good angles as a face.
His feud with Triple H was the other one.
Batista broke away from Triple Hs influence and dethroned him for the World Heavyweight Championship atWrestleMania.
This came to a head atVengeancein the Hell in a Cell match.
The two tore into each other and it was wonderful.
What made it fun was the karma of it all.
Triple H would whip Batista relentlessly with a chain?
Batista would get back by whipping Triple H relentlessly with a chain.
Triple H repeatedly slammed a chair covered in barbwire onto Batistas back?
Triple H would use his sledgehammer?
The only complaint I have is Batistas constant kicking out of major moves.
He kicked out of all of them.
Give the dude some limits, guys.
If anything, this had one of the best endings.
A weak Triple H grabbed the sledgehammer while being picked up for the Batista Bomb.
Edge did so by brutalizing Foley, which was used to write him out of the company.
The match was so much fun.
Despite being the smaller one and a heel, Edge wasnt treated as a cowardly underdog.
He went full hog at Undertaker, mixing his smarts and inner-viciousness.
So many great spots here, like Edge spearing Undertaker so hard that the cage broke open.
Then he speared him through one of the announce tables.
He remained on the offensive and did it perfectly.
The ending was a blast as well.
Undertaker threw Edge through two tables.
That easily could have been the finish.
Instead, Undertaker wanted payback.
Then he delivered a Conchairto.
Then finally a Tombstone and a pin.
After walking up the ramp, he decided he wasnt done.
He propped Edge up a ladder, climbed it, and creepy images started appearing on the screen.
Undertaker threw Edge through the ring itself, which exploded in flames.
Now THAT is how you do otherworldly weirdness right.
Hell in a Cell did it in one.
Goddamn, what a match.
European Champion Shawn Michaels was constantly being aided by Triple H and Chyna.
He turned heel after accidentally screwing Undertaker out of winning the title atSummerSlam.
It was a lot of Undertaker throwing Michaels around like a ragdoll.
When Michaels got his shots in, he played it intelligently.
He used his strengths as a high-flier, but it only got him so far.
The only problem I have with it is that it wasnt the intended feud ender.
Undertaker and Michaels had another match a couple months later to finally finish their rivalry.
Cactus Jack challenged Triple H for the WWF Championship.
If he lost, he would retire.
Triple H appeared spooked by Cactus fall and was telling the ref to check up on him.
Cactus began stirring and showed that he wasnt done just yet.
Great bravado, but Triple H dropped him with a Pedigree and that was that.
