Hell in a Cell: Top five HIAC matches of all time
The Hell in a Cell match was created as a specialty match for The Undertaker, and while he has been in some of the best matches inside the cell, several other WWE wrestlers have created their legacy within those dangerous confines. In this article, I will be discussing the five best Hell in a Cell match in WWE history.
Sasha Banks VS. Charlotte Flair (Hell in A Cell 2016)
2016 was a massive year for WWE when it came to their women’s division because fans were given a chance to see the Women’s Evolution take place. When it comes to WWE women’s division, Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks are the two stars that helped push the women’s division to the next level, so it was no surprise when WWE made them the first women to ever compete in the Hell in a Cell match. At Hell in a Cell PPV 2016, the two women battled in a 22-minute match for the Raw Women’s Championship in a match that Charlotte would win.
The Undertaker Vs. Brock Lesnar (No Mercy 2002)
When Brock Lesnar showed up in WWE in 2002, he had one of the best rookie years in professional wrestling history. In his first year, he would beat The Rock for the WWE championship, and that would launch him as a severe threat in WWE.
In late 2002 Brock would enter a feud with The Undertaker that would lead to both wrestlers meeting a match that led to a no-contest when their brawling got out of control. They would meet again at No Mercy inside the Hell in a Cell Match in a battle that would go for 27 minutes, with Brock winning the match.
The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels (Bad Blood 1997)
Shawn Michaels was having one of the greatest heel runs as WWE champion when he would enter in the first-ever Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker at Bad Blood 1997. The match would pave the way for future HITC matches. In the first Hell in the Cell match, the fans were rewarded with blood, crazy bumps, and good storytelling.
The match put The Undertaker over as a force of nature that was on a mission to destroy HBK. In the end, no matter how badly he beat HBK or how much blood came out of HBK’s head, The Undertaker was never going to win the WWE championship that night. The Undertaker’s long-lost brother, Kane, would make his WWE debut, and Tombstone, his brother, who was in shock, would allow HBK to score the win.
The Undertaker VS. Mankind (King of The Ring 1998)
The most memorable Hell in a Cell match of all time came in 1998 at the King of The Ring PPV. The match featured two WWE legends Mankind and The Undertaker, who had a history of battling each other throughout the years. The two wrestlers would fight outside, inside, around, and on top of the cage itself. When they were on top of the cage, the match went to a whole different level because that had never been seen before in professional wrestling.
The Undertaker would throw Mankind off the cell and through the announcer’s table, and then shortly, later on, he would say chokeslam Mankind through the roof of the cage before picking up the win. This match was the match that elevated Foley as being a top guy in the industry. This Hell In a Cell match would set a bar that many says has still yet to be passed by anyone because of what Mankind put his body through in the match.
Triple H VS. Mick Foley (No Way Out 2000)
The greatest Hell in the Cell match happened in February 2000 when Mick Foley would challenge Triple H for the WWE championship at the No Way Out PPV. The rivalry between the two wrestlers had gotten personal and intense, making perfect sense for them to battle in the Hell in the Cell match. The two would battle in an action-filled match that seen them fight outside, inside, and on top of the Hell in the Cell match. The match would end with Triple H giving Cactus Jack a pedigree and cementing himself as a top star in WWE.
The Hell in a Call showcase continues to give wrestling fans some of the most brutal moments in WWE history. Expect that to continue as a new crop of performers enter the cage both for the first time and yet again in their careers this year.