WWE.com and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly lists his Top 10 Hell in a Cell Matches before SummerSlam, when Brock Lesnar takes on Oba Femi at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Aug. 1-2.
THE SETUP
The Hell in a Cell has been a WWE staple for nearly 30 years, and some of the most iconic and memorable matches have taken place inside the 20-foot-high, five-ton structure. Born out of necessity in 1997, when Shawn Michaels fled The Undertaker's grip, the unmistakable edifice has been part of WWE every year except one since its inception. There have been 53 Hell in a Cell matches, and the Undertaker has taken part in 14 of them, with his eight victories more than anybody else. While 47 men have stepped inside the Cell over the years, we've rarely seen what's slated for SummerSlam next month when Oba Femi will battle Brock Lesnar inside the dreaded structure.
The Undertaker vs. Mankind (King of the Ring, 1998) – Try and think of a Hell in a Cell match that’s more iconic and one that more defined the Attitude Era than The Undertaker and Mankind inside a demonic contraption? Mick Foley getting tossed off the top of the Cell onto the announcer's table moments into the match may be the most recognized spot of all time. It is a match that won’t ever be replicated, and that’s special. Mankind (Mick Foley) suffered two insane falls, the second one was him getting thrown through the compromised steel ceiling onto the mat. Plus, the thumbtacks, the significantly injured Deadman coming into the match, the call by Jim Ross, and even Terry Funk’s genuine concern in checking on his friend made this all it was.
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (Badd Blood, 1997) – It was the first-ever Hell in a Cell match, and if it weren’t for what occurred nearly nine months later, it would be at the top of the list. A new stipulation match needed to be done right the first time out, and boy was it ever. The Undertaker was at the peak of his career and put a whipping on HBK, as he should’ve in a match called Hell in a Cell, only for the uber-talented Michaels to put together a flurry of moments that made you wonder if he would come out victorious. Then throw in the debut of Kane, and this was as close to a perfect 10 as you are going to get.
Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins (Hell in a Cell, 2022) – The look of things is half the battle when it comes to the squared circle. When Cody Rhodes took off his robe to reveal his horrifying-looking torn pectoral muscle he suffered during a weightlifting incident a few days prior, you aren’t going to get a better visual than that for a HIAC match. You can talk about the determination and toughness of Rhodes making this work in his first PLE since returning to the WWE, but the two turned what was supposed to be a short match into a 25-minute story that ultimately propelled Rhodes to the face of the company. When there have been more than 50 matches inside HIAC, being able to stand up over time is difficult. This match does that.
The Undertaker vs. Triple H | with special guest referee Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 28) – It was billed as “End of an Era,” and the final moment where three of the most legendary performers in the history of the company embracing, thus signaling it was truly the “End of an Era,” was something that has been burned into our psyche for years now. The Undertaker still bothered about what happened the year before, needing to be stretchered out of the ring after the win. The performances were at their peak level. The Sweet Chin Music followed by Triple H’s Pedigree had everybody thinking the streak was going to end at 19.
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Badd Blood, 2024) – With this match being so recent, it doesn’t get enough credit as it should ... or as it will. I believe it redefined the way the HIAC matches will move forward. It was more than brutality. There were different moments that made the match fresh, and the callbacks did nothing but enhance the match.
Cactus Jack vs. Triple H (No Way Out, 2000) – The 34-year-old Mick Foley’s career came to an end after a brutal backdrop through the cage ceiling that
broke the ring. Foley/Catus Jack put it all on the line, and it came through spectacularly against one of the top performers in the company.
The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar (No Mercy, 2002) – A barbaric and bloody match that made The Beast into the monster that he is today. It was a match you would expect from out of the two, brutality personified. It is a match that doesn’t get as much love as it should.
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (Hell in a Cell, 2020) – It wasn’t the first women’s HIAC match, but it was the best. Banks ended Bayley’s 380 day reign as champion and afforded her the title of being a WWE Grand Slam Champion.
Batista vs. Triple H (Vengeance, 2005) – Bloody. Weapons. Brutal. That’s what makes a good HIAC match, and this had it all. You can argue that it was Batista’s best match of his career and made him The Animal.
The Undertaker vs. Edge (SummerSlam, 2008) – Chokeslam off the top rope onto a table on the floor. A Tombstone. A chokeslam off a ladder through the ring. As Jim Ross said, “you pay for your sins,” and Edge did just that.
Top 10 Hell in a Cell Matches
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