My Top 5 Hell In A Cell Matches

Intro

In 1997 the wrestling industry was in a mixed state. WCW was edging out the then WWF at every turn, and drastic plans needed to be implamented, with creative changes, a new era was on the horizon, that would go on to redefine the last years of the nineities, but, before there was attitude, a new structure was born, made out of steel, and wire, would act as home to end feuds, and become a fan favourite stipulation, delivering on great moments, and pure emotion. Hell isn't just a bad place to be. It's a bloodfilled destination for wrestling fans.

5 The Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar No Mercy 2002

If you go back, and take a look at the wrestling business in the year 2002. WWE's attitude era had gone, and in it's place, was the Ruthless Aggression era, this, wasn't the best time for the company. TV viewership was down, and attendences were down, due to there major stars of the day, having to take time off. The Undertaker would be used to full effect during this time, as he became the standard bearer, for helping younger talent. At this point he was involved in a programme with Brock Lesnar, their match from Unforgiven the prior month, was a letdown, because to me it felt underbooked. This, however, was a bloodsoaked trip into the mind of two dangerous minds, and it was a facinating sight to be seen, the violence sold the story, at a time, when storytelling in my opinion, needed a shot in the arm, as fan interest was starting to dwindle. This match, is a perfect reminder, why we need older veterans to advance younger stars. Brock in my mind wasn't a made man until this night, a star was born, in a pain inducing way. Here comes the pain indeed.

4 The Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar Hell In A Cell 2015

Fast Forward to 2015. Hell In A Cell, had become it's own PPV, and it was delivered year in, and year out, with mixed reviews to say the least, but the 2015 edition would have a match of the year contender. Brock, and. Taker stole the show, at a time when WWE needed their stars to step up, the viewership was again down, and the companies creative output, was at an all time low. This might be an oversight of the bigger issue at hand, but the match still stands up as a one of the best Hell In A Cell matches, because both men managed to keep the fans intrigued throughout this war. I still go back to this match even now. It's arguably Brocks best match, and the best he's ever looked. Perfect.

3 Cactus vs HHH No Way Out 2000

I love this match, as a young fan in the early 2000's HHH's rise to prominance, was met with a mixture of praise, and complete distain, his reign of terror would follow a couple of years later, but this would act as a precauser, that gave fans the chance to say goodbye to a legend. Mick Foley's health wasn't great at this time, and he has been open in the past, about how he was starting to suffer with memory loss, as a result of taking multiple blows to the head. He Who Shall Not Be Named, gave Mick the chance to go out the way hew wanted, and just like that, this match was born. It was a match, that delivered with fire ( literally ) and grace, as the blood ran down the games face, the industry was witnessing the start of the uprise of HHH. Jim Ross on commentary, was perfect on this night, because he added more gravitas, to a match that was an emotional, bloodsoaked, gut punch. Foley would come back for Mania 16, after Stone Cold Steve Austin's recovery time was revealed, but Mick has always said that, in his heart, this was his retirement match. Later in the year 2000, Foley would come back as the commissioner, he's by far my favourite on screen authority figure. Oh my, oh my.

2 Cody Rhodes vs Seth Rollins Hell In A Cell 2022

This. Was. The first WWE match, in over a decade to get the honoured 5 star rating from Dave Meltzer, and I can see why, this is a steller match, from the presentation what came, from an oddly balanced tv build, to Cody's legit pectoral injury becoming the main focus point, only added to drama to an already solid outing. I love this match. Cody would have to get surgery in order fix what he tore, he would come back at the 2023 Royal Rumble, and after a controversial ending to Wrestlemania, he eventually finished his story, one year later at the show of shows 40th aniversary. This, acted as the start of what was to come, and it was great.

1 The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels Bad Blood 1997

I was 10 years old when I first saw this. It was on a dodgy vhs tape that my friend had leant to me, and upon first viewing I was traumatised by the level of violence, but these were the times, and it's clear to me, that at this time wrestling was taking influences from cinema. A couple of years before this match, a film called Natural Born Killers, had created waves over in the UK, and in the US, for how it depicted graphic violence, this was the first outing for Blood, as change within the WWF was around the corner, this was the start of that echoing of the changing of the guard, that would become. The Attitude Era. This match is an act of defience, at a time when the industry was starting to not play safe. Shawn, and. Taker are still the bench, as they laid out the blueprint, for what this stipulation would later become.