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The 411 Wrestling Top 5: Top 5 WWE Hell in a Cell Matches
The 411 Wrestling Top 5: Hello everyone and welcome to 411 Wrestling’s Top 5 List. We take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 wrestling will have the ability to participate and give us their Top 5 on said topic. So, onto this week’s topic…
Week 285 – Top 5 WWE Hell in a Cell Matches
What are your top 5 WWE Hell in a Cell Matches?
Scott Rutherford
5. DX vs. Legacy (Hell In A Cell 2009) – No one ever talks about this match but I love it. I’m guessing the audience at large didn’t like the fact DX went over when it was primed for Legacy to get the win and potentially be made men in the WWE. Take out the ending and this match for the first 17 minutes is a well-booked and highly entertaining piece of business. Legacy knowing they are in over their heads, attack DX during their entrance, lay out HHH and lock themselves in the Cell with Michaels. They proceed to beat the crap out of Shawn while HHH desperately tries to get in until he gives up and walks backstage. Michaels gives the most epic “Why did you leave?” look of despair only to be rewarded when Hunter returns with bolt cutters. Once he gets in it’s hell for leather with the more experienced DX overcoming the new guys. Based on the booking I’m really surprised they didn’t put Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase over here. They played a smart game and they could have inflicted enough damage to Michaels that when HHH comes in it’s just to much for him to overcome without a functional partner. Pity they didn’t have the fortitude to go with it. As it is, it’s a fun **** match.
4. Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker vs. Kane vs. The Rock vs. Steve Austin vs. Rikishi (Armageddon 20000) – Pity Mick Foley still wasn’t active at this time because if he was in this match instead of Rikishi it would have been the Attitude Era main event for the ages. As it is, Rikishi was likely there for the requisite big bump off the cage which was all well and good but you could have made this match without him and it would not have suffered. There was enough intrigue and storyline progression to more than keep anyone happy. From the little tease of the Rock/Austin to Austin dragging HHH around the ring to Undertaker threatening the timekeeper from the top of the cage to throw him a chair…and the timekeeper obeying! This had the feel of an epic encounter and was a wild, chaotic, fun brawl.
3. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (No Mercy 2002) – I remember at the time this match happened I was more than a little let down. Maybe it was the fact that 10 minutes earlier we had Rey & Edge vs. Angel & Benoit in the MOTY and I was burnt out by the time this match rolled round. Looking at it now, I see this match as two big, mean, strong, ornery men beating the fuck out of each other. I mean, the beat each other raw and then they decided to get even more intense. People dog this match because Undertaker had a “broken” hand leading in which he barely sold but they ignore the fact UT had the magic needle earlier in the show so he wouldn’t feel any pain. Beyond that, I feel this was the match that really made Lesnar as a legit badass. The final image of him on top of the cage with UT’s blood smeared across his chest is an amazing visual and a mission statement for The Beast.
2. Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (No Way Out 2000) – I consider this to be the most technically perfect HiTC match ever. From the storyline leading in right up to the booking and match execution everything fits perfectly together. The big sub-plot was Jack wanting to get out of the cage so he can do insane things to cause insane damage but it’s well established that the Cell is chained down tight. That’s until Cactus starts throwing HHH against the cage to try and break it open but it fails to make an impact. Then out of nowhere Cactus throws the stairs at HHH who ducks, the stairs hit the cage and rip off part of the mesh. Smelling blood Foley does what he thinks is appropriate and throws HIMSELF through the weakened mesh, causes as much damage to him as he does the cage. Then the match turns into a spotfest with Foley and HHH bumping like mad, a burning 2×4 and finally a HHH backdrop on Foley through the Cell roof to end Mick Foleys career. Violent, innovative, spectacular, intriguing and most importantly safe, this HiTC match is something special.
1. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (Badd Blood 1997) – I tossed up between my second place and this one for top spot. I eventually decided that this was first even though #2 is my personal favorite. The reason why? Who knows what would have become of this particular gimmick if Shawn Michaels hadn’t gone out there and set the standard so incredibly high by creating a super-violent highlight reel for which others will forever be judged. The dynamic was perfect, Undertaker was looking to kill Michaels. Shawn being the cowardly heel used every avoidance tactic he could to stay away from ‘Taker until finally this match was created. Again Shawn runs and invents in ways of running during the match and when he manages to get to the outside of the cage and what he thinks is safety, that’s when UT kicks it up a notch and slaughters Shawn. Blood, violence, innovative spots and heaping helps of hate, aggression and madness. This match set the bar so high, Mick Foley was forced to nearly kill himself to live up to the legacy. An instant classic, a match for the ages and something that nearly 17 years later still stands as one of the greatest match in WWE history.
JUSTIN WATRY
5. Triple H vs. Batista (Vengeance 2005) – It is topics like this that make me TERRIBLE at making lists. Just downright terrible. There have been soooooo many great matches inside the cell that I know I will leave some good matches out, and my top five order could easily be different tomorrow, next week, or even in an hour. Thus, take that into account when reading my ramblings here. Coming in at number five is Triple H taking on World Champion Batista in June 2005 at Vengeance. Just two weeks removed from the epic ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view, these two had a lot to live up to. Lucky for us, both are future WWE Hall of Famers and delivered. HHH lost to The Animal for the third straight time and make him out to be a true main event star.
4. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (Badd Blood 1997) – Get ready comment section! Here is your weekly excuse: I find this match to be over rated. There, I said it. Now, I do not think this match was bad or anything; I loved it. Repeat: I loved it! However, this match suffers the same fate as the Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon ladder match, the Iron Man Match at WrestleMania 12, and many others. It was so ‘new’ and so ‘special’ at the time that it was going to cause waves. Then people go wild over it because it was the ‘first’ or because it was innovative. Then time goes on, and other matches completely surpass it. Yet, fans still remember the fuzzy feeling when the original happened that it sticks with them despite the obvious BETTER matches happening since. Just my opinion. For historic value AND the match quality, this match comes in at #4…
3. Triple H vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 28) – The End of an Era. Wow, if only The Undertaker retired after walking to the back with HBK and HHH after this battle. Can you imagine? Oh well. Needless to say, you knew this match was coming immediately following WrestleMania 27 in 2011, and you knew Shawn Michaels would be involved somehow. The yearlong tease paid off in a big way (as did The Rock vs. John Cena), as HBK made the perfect guest referee. Taker played his part to perfection. Also, HHH was great as usual taking the pin fall loss one last time to The Dead Man. That post-match scene was quite amazing and could have been even MORE amazing had the next few years played out differently…
2. Kurt Angle vs. Rikishi vs. The Rock vs. The Undertaker vs. Triple H vs. Stone Cold (Armageddon 2000) – The ‘forgotten’ Heck on a Deck match. I can never get enough of this match. I have probably re-watched this man battle for the WWE Championship more than almost any other match. Ever! I could probably go watch it right now. All six men had a role in this thing, and Jim Ross was at his best selling the danger and fear in the particular setting. First time ever – six man inside the cell risking their lives for the title. Then Mick Foley and Vince McMahon both made cameos to put that extra cherry on top to make this legendary. Seriously, if you have never seen this all out brawl, go do so now!
1. The Undertaker vs. Mankind (King of the Ring 1998) – No explanation needed.
CALIBER WINFIELD
5. Triple H vs. Kevin Nash (Badd Blood 2003) – This match is like an old friend that no one understands, and I have to constantly stand up for. Yes, Triple H was at his worst during this time, and Nash, well, is Nash. However, they went out there and tore it up. There was enough blood, weapons, and apple crates to keep things more than interesting for the entire length of the match. Tear down your prejudiced walls, and let this match into your heart.
4. The Rock vs. Rikishi vs. Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Triple H (Armageddon 2000) – The amount of ‘all-time’ greats in this match is borderline ridiculous. I thought this one had no chance of succeeding, due to too many cooks in the kitchen. However, they blew my expectations away, with a fantastic match that gave equal time to everyone, and never felt over-crowded. McMahon bringing in the completely out of place wood-chip truck that telegraphed the soon-to-be big bump made this all that much greater.
3. Chris Jericho vs. Triple H (Judgment Day 2003) – This match had the grit, and old-school edge to it that their entire feud was sorely missing. While their WrestleMania bout may have disappointed most, they made up for it here with a fantastic, bloody brawl that not only involved chairs, barbwire, and a Pedigree on top of the cage, but also caused referee Tim White to retire. Soon afterward, Tim killed himself many times over for the entertainment of the WWE Universe.
2. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (Badd Blood 1997) – As they tend to do together, Shawn and ‘Taker created a classic in the fall of 1997 that is still to this day considered one of the greatest of all time. Blending genres, they were able to take the cage match, hardcore, along with technical wrestling and create a whole new world that many men tried to shine in, while almost dying in the process.
1. Triple H vs. Batista (Vengeance 2005) – There are few matches I’d describe as a war, but this is one of them. Triple H had tried twice before to defeat his protégé, but couldn’t get it done. With one chance remaining, he pulled out all the stops; including chairs, steel steps, chairs wrapped in barbwire, and sledgehammers. However, Batista was more than capable of giving back just as good as he got, until he and Triple H were nothing but blood soaked reflections of one another. Incredible match.
Michael Weyer
5. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels(Badd Blood 1997) You have to note the very first one on this list. No one knew quite what to expect as the entire “closed cage” match wasn’t a common thing, especially in WWF. It seemed set for Michaels and Taker who had engaged in a great battle the month before and fantastic heat between them both. Taker was easily the favorite using the cage for hideous blows and hard shots as HBK tried to run as much as he could. That led to the now famous sight of Michaels falling off the top and through an announce table. Back in the ring, Taker proceeded to just massacre Shawn, who was a total bloody mess just as Taker was about to Tombstone him. But then the lights went out and Kane made his debut to tear the door off the cage, enter and lay out Taker to let Michaels get the pin. Maybe overshadowed by bouts later on but you have to note the first one for setting the stage for all the bloody wars to follow.
4. HHH vs. Batista(Vengeance 2005) When HHH dropped the World title to Batista at WrestleMania, most thought he’d get the belt back fast. And it seemed set as they went at it in a match HHH was an expert in. He used smarts going at Batista’s arm to weaken him but Batista used his strength to fight back nicely including several spinebusters on the floor. Both men were soon bleeding as they hit back with raking on the cage, DDT and more. Batista seemed out after a sledgehammer shot and a punch from a fist wrapped in a chain but kicked out of both to huge pops. Batista then erupted with nasty shots and tossing HHH like a rag doll. A spinebuster on the steel steps set up a cool visual of Batista lifting HHH up as he held the sledgehammer but the Bomb hitting with Hunter still holding the weapon even as he was pinned. A great battle as HHH put Batista over nicely to set him up as champ and a great showcase for how well done an HITC match can be.
3. Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker (No Mercy 2002) There were doubts on this battle given Taker’s broken hand but these two ended up clicking brilliantly in the ring together for a nasty battle. Taker came out strong with terrific hard shots on Brock with the cast to break him open and even Paul Heyman got some shots from the outside. A cool shot had Brock putting Taker on the top rope and using the cage roof to kick at him. Soon Taker was busted open in what remains one of the bloodiest blade jobs you will ever see, his entire face crimson for the rest of the match, even dripping it on Brock. In the end, Brock blocked a Tombstone into an F5 to win and put an end to one of the bloodier battles you’ll ever witness in WWE history.
2. HHH vs. Cactus Jack (No Way Out 2000) Despite being WWF champion, HHH really hadn’t won the respect of fans too much. That changed dramatically with this brilliantly laid out battle as he and Mick Foley engaged in a massive war with the genius theme of Jack breaking the cage to get out and brawl hard, using a burning 2X4, massive shots, both guys bleeding like crazy and the fans going nuts at this. Again, the big spot is Foley backdropped through the cage roof and crashing through the mat but it’s still stunning to watch as HHH handles this war with amazing skill to elevate himself further through victory. A true classic by both men that showed the levels of violence HITC was capable of.
1. Undertaker vs. Mankind (King of the Ring 1998) It’s quite tempting to pull a Watry and go “no explanation needed” here as it’s the obvious choice. This is the match everyone thinks of when HITC is mentioned, it’s the match that truly made Mick Foley a massive superstar and it’s still a spectacle to watch today. Maybe not great from a workrate perspective but 16 years later, the sight of Foley flying off the top of the cage and through the announce table with Jim Ross screaming “Good God Almighty, he killed him! As God is my witness, that man is broken in half!” remains a key moment of the entire Attitude era. Foley gets the credit for the hideous bumps but Undertaker was doing well, especially considering he had a broken foot, helping keep time as Mankind recovered from each brutal shot and keeping the fans enthralled. (Ross: “There’s chairs, there’s shoes, there’s part of the roof fallen in…” Lawler: “And there’s a human being in there who’s absolutely indestructible!”) It’s a brutal sight from the nasty shots to Foley chokeslammed onto all the tacks, Foley sticking his tongue through a busted lip and Taker crashing into the walls (“People are cheering this, JR!”) Even today, you have to wince watching it all and more than a few fans had to agree with Jerry Lawler’s comment of “Mercifully, this is over!” when Taker finally got the pin. In terms of actual ring work, maybe not the best but when you think of its impact to the entire WWE and Foley in particular, you have to rank it number one.
Dino Zee
5. Edge vs. Undertaker (SummerSlam 2008) – As a fan of Edge, I didn’t exactly love the outcome, but I enjoyed the match itself just fine. Edge was probably the last perfect feud for Taker (unless you count Shawn Michaels for WrestleManias 25 and 26… I don’t.), willing to go out there and take his lumps while bring his own frenetic attacks as well. A good, brutal matchup was had on this night.
4. Undertaker vs. Mankind (King of the Ring, 1998) – No, it’s not this low because I like to be different. Yes, it is this low because I have three other Hell in a Cell matches that I personally prefer a bit more. Does that mean I dislike this match? Not in the least! I love this match. It’s so freaking brutal. It’s iconic. It’s everything everyone else is going to say it is. It’s also a bit short, and takes a couple big breaks in between. This match rules. It’s just not my #1 pick. Still, easily required viewing for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (Bad Blood, 2004) – This is a personal favorite of mine, and is definitely a match that many hate. Some will say it’s too boring. Some will say it’s too long. Then again, some won’t. I was hardly a fan of the “feud” these two had with each other for 2 years, even if the matches were usually good. Personal tastes and dislike clouded me on it, as I basically just viewed it as two buddies doing what they could to not feud with anyone else. Still, this match, to me, is fun. It’s a bit more old school in approach, with no one flying off ceilings or anything like that. Instead, it’s just a brutal cage match, between two guys who hate each other. And ladders get involved. I don’t know, I always dug this match. Sue me.
2. Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker (No Mercy, 2002) – Heading into this match, I thought it was a foregone conclusion that Undertaker would be defeating Brock and taking the championship. Imagine my surprise when, instead, we were given a supremely physical encounter, and one that Brock won convincingly. It wouldn’t be the last time these two tricked people as to who would be winning. A great outing that showed just how badass Brock was, as he bloodied and battered Taker for the win.
1. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (Bad Blood 97) – The first and, in my mind, still the best. We didn’t really know what to expect when this match was announced. A cage match with a ceiling? All right. The NWA (and WCW) had given us matches like that before, but the trust that the WWF could provide a good match in this environment just wasn’t there. Luckily, Michaels and Taker went out there and provided us with an incredible assault. Michaels was beaten from pillar to post, doing everything he could to escape from Taker. Blood was spilled, Michaels flew through an announce table, and then, when it looked like it was all over for the Heartbreak Kid, we got the debut of Kane, and in an instant, Michaels stole the win. This match is incredible.
LEN ARCHIBALD
5. Edge vs. The Undertaker (SummerSlam 2008) – At this point, you will see an obvious pattern emerge when it comes to who I feel is the best Hell in a Cell performer. Who needs blood when you have two artists who tell a pitch-perfect story about revenge and reaping what you sew. Edge had brought hell and misery to The Undertaker during the latter half of 2007 and most of 2008, continually using his instinct and cheating ways to avoid the ultimate wrath of the Demon from Death Valley. Edge took it to The Undertaker in a way no one had in a long time and seemed to always have the upper hand. Even his defeat at WrestleMania XXIV was because of Taker’s last-ditch effort to survive my fellow Toronto native’s counter and quick response to all of The Deadman’s offense. Edge would use video cameras, tables, Spears, steel steps, Con-Chair-Tos and whatever else he could think of to escape his fate. Then Edge was locked in the Cell with his vicious destiny. Edge was by this point the hottest heel in WWE and it was time for him to receive his comeuppance – and the final six minutes of this barnburner was some of the best-told moments of heroic catharsis in modern WWE. After Chokeslamming Edge through two tables, onto the floor, Taker decided it was time to exact his righteous revenge. A spear, a camera-shot to the head, a Con-Chair-To of his own and a Tombstone later, and the “Conscience of the WWE” stood tall. The story was simple – Edge had to pay for his sins, and his punishment was to be sent to hell.
4. Triple H vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 28) – Single best near fall I have ever seen. Watching WrestleMania 28 and being hyped up for the third WrestleMania bout between The Game and The Deadman would be an understatement. These are the two men who competed in more Hell in a Cell matches than anyone else in WWE history. I expected a brutal affair – what I did not expect, though – was a dramatic turn by three performers who went out there and told one of the most gleefully over the top stories I would ever witness. Shawn Michaels, as the special guest referee would get involved in the match (intentionally and unintentionally) on behalf of both competitors, and would wind up huddled in the corner an emotional wreck. Triple H would shatter every bone in his body if that’s what it took to take down The Streak, but would end up leaning against the turnbuckle just to stand and make his final act of defiance at The Undertaker before he fell triumphantly. Finally, The Undertaker, who had an entire year to think about the punishment and revenge he would bestow on the man whom he defeated but could not command his own strength to exit the ring, acted as a righteous Angel of Death. It was the End of an Era, finalizing a story of three warriors who crossed paths to prove they were the best in this industry. They all may have tried to kill each other at one point or another, but at the end, they respected each other for their desire to be the best.
3. Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (No Way Out 2000) – There are several moments one can pinpoint at certain careers when we as fans witness what it means for a performer to meet their true potential. Triple H was already the WWF Champion by the time this hellacious match came around, but he still had his doubters about exactly how talented he was and how deserving he was of being the WWF Champ. Austin was gone. The Rock was on fire. Mick Foley was considered a god. Triple H had all the tools, the look and the “attitude” – but something was missing. It wasn’t viciousness or charisma; he had that in spades. On this night, though, Cactus Jack brought something out of The Game for him to truly live up to that moniker. This was a Hell in a Cell match that took equal parts of my top 2 picks and created a brutal, bloody war. Battles bathed in blood and ultra violence was commonplace in North American wrestling by this time, but there was – just something – different about this particular match. These two punished – PUNISHED each other for our bloodthirsty enjoyment. Then something (pardon the pun) evolutionary happened during the final act of the bout: Seconds after Triple H reversed Jack’s Piledriver attempt into a Back Body Drop that sent Jack crashing through the top of the cage and dented the ring 15-feet below, you could see the look in Hunter’s eye. The light bulb went off as his crimson-stained face observed the crowd. For me, this was when Triple H truly arrived as a permanent Main Eventer. After pinning Cactus Jack (and “ending” Mick Foley’s career), The Game went on a tear and had one of the single best calendar years in terms of high-quality performances, pretty much bringing it to anyone and everyone in 2000. It started here.
2. Mankind vs. The Undertaker (King of the Ring 1998) – There are two moments in the realms of mainstream professional wrestling that are played over and over and never loses their impact: Hulk slamming Andre and Taker tossing Foley. I honestly remember watching this match live like it was yesterday. In the ocean of popularity that wrestling was having in the late 90’s, I attended a party with a group of Rowdy, Roddy friends anticipating the nights proceedings. We cared more about the atmosphere than the match quality of the KotR PPV. We were just hyped to see the second ever Hell in a Cell match. I remember everything: Mankind climbing the cage; Taker climbing in earnest. The brief battle. Then it happened. A mere second after Foley’s back landed – and obliterated – the announce table below, the hush that befell close to 20 male and female high school seniors was deafening. We ALL thought Foley was dead. Legit dead. We ALL thought this wasn’t planned. A couple of girls who were with us that didn’t follow wrestling became mesmerized at the car crash. Some of us were pissed when Foley was stretchered out, some were content that he earned his pay. Then the son of a bitch rose from the dead after his crucifixion and climbed the cage only to get Chokeslammed through it. Christ. By that time, everyone was on their feet yelling at a glowing inanimate object at people in another country who could not hear us. We were all hooked. Thumbtacks. Terry Funk’s shoes. Vince McMahon’s face toeing the line between frighteningly concerned and frighteningly pissed. The match ended and we all gave the television a standing ovation. We forgot that Austin had a title match after. We would debate the insanity of that match for the rest of the year as we all moved into college and adulthood. Good times.
1. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (IYH: Badd Blood) – The first time the WWE fans was treated to a Hell in a Cell match is still the best in my opinion. Michaels and Taker met in a perfect storm of circumstance, violence and storytelling. The WWE was shifting its focus away from family friendly television and a more realistic (as realistic as wrestling could get) product. We were a mere month away from the Montreal Screwjob that would pretty much be ground zero to the end of the Monday Night War. The storyline of Shawn Michaels costing the Undertaker his WWE Title at that year’s SummerSlam and ducking Taker every chance he got laid the foundation to The Deadman basically treating the Heartbreak Kid as his own personal Jesus as the brutality and blood reached a level we had not seen often. The match was paced beautifully, never missing a beat or allowing the audience much of a chance to breathe – all culminating in what I feel is the best debut of a new performer ever. “THAT’S…THAT’S GOTTA BE KANE!” In my humble opinion, a perfect match and strangely enough – now with the power of hindsight – was just a taste of what the two Texans had in store for us when they would meet nearly 12 years later.
List your Top Five for this week’s topic in the comment section using the following format:
5. CHOICE: Explanation
4. CHOICE: Explanation
3. CHOICE: Explanation
2. CHOICE: Explanation
1. CHOICE: Explanation
