Best WWE Steel Cage Matches
The Steel Cage match is one which has been present in WWE for many decades, and it has seen a whole host of iconic names and legends make their way through the door and compete. The stipulation is one which has unfortunately lost its meaning and aura over time, especially with the creation of the more entertaining and violent Hell In A Cell stipulation.
CM Punk's Definitive 15 Best WWE Matches, Ranked
CM Punk already has a long list of classic matches in his WWE career, and he's looking to add a few more with his latest run!Either way, there have still been some strong Steel Cage matches over the years, and TheSportster’s rating system will determine which of those is the best of the best. These ratings will also be compared to those from cagematch.net and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
To learn more about how we rank wrestling matches on TheSportster, please check out our match ranking criteria guide here.
10 Edge & Christian Vs. The Hardy Boyz (WWE Unforgiven 2000)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.5/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 1.75/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.75/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 3.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.00
These two iconic tag team rivals put in yet another strong performance at the Unforgiven 2000 PPV, bringing their high risk spots to the Steel Cage match, managing to use ladders and tables to elevate proceedings.
Some of the parts moved slowly, but the spots were still very entertaining. The story of Jeff Hardy trying to re-enter the Cage to save his brother was a good idea, though the execution could have maybe been a little better.
9 Jeff Hardy Vs. Umaga (WWE RAW 01.07.2008)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.5/10
Storytelling | 1.75/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.75/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.83
In the lead up to his WWE Championship clash with Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy had the ultimate underdog journey as he had to do battle with Umaga inside a Steel Cage. Umaga played his monster heel role well, and Hardy displayed some great courage.
Whilst it shouldn’t dominate the rating, the ending of this match is good enough to push it up into the best Steel Cage matches in WWE history. Hardy's ridiculous Whisper In The Wind from atop the Cage was one of the best moments in the existence of the stipulation, and it will make fans remember this forever.
8 The Miz Vs. John Cena Vs. John Morrison (WWE Extreme Rules 2011)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.75/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.25/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.75/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 1.75/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.65
If you’re looking for a violent and bloody brawl in your Steel Cage match, then this one isn’t for you, but this was still a really fun triple threat match with a lot of impressive spots and innovative moments.
Sting's Definitive 10 Best TNA Matches, Ranked
Sting was a multi-time World Champion in TNA, putting on fantastic matches with some of the promotion's best wrestlers!It was John Morrison who stood out here, pulling out some very impressive moves whilst utilizing the structure, only to get taken out in a great moment by a newly heel R-Truth. Cena & Miz continued their bad blood too, both putting in strong performances and putting their bodies on the line. This match is perhaps overshadowed by Cena's Osama Bin Laden death announcement after the show, but this was still a strong main event.
7 Triple H Vs. Ric Flair (WWE Taboo Tuesday 2005)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.75/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 1.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 3.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.43
Two men with so much history stepped foot inside a Steel Cage for what was a messy, bloody, and brutal encounter. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the way it was structured did help to play into the gritty stipulation.
The stretch of Triple H getting heel heat was perhaps a little overdone, but it led to a fantastic babyface comeback for Flair who showed a lot of passion and courage. Even though there weren't many big moves, their psychology ensured that the fans were invested throughout and they created a whole load of tension.
6 CM Punk Vs. Jeff Hardy (WWE SmackDown 08.25.2009)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling | 2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.75/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.77
The culmination of 2009’s best feud came on an episode of SmackDown as the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Jeff Hardy put his WWE career on the line against CM Punk’s World Heavyweight Title, ensuring a very unpredictable match that had the crowd hooked.
Hardy put his body on the line despite heading out of WWE after this match, making for a fun back and forth match between two hated rivals. It ended up being a very emotional match and moment, with Hardy saying goodbye to the fans after his defeat.
5 JBL Vs. Eddie Guerrero (WWE SmackDown 07.15.2004)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 3.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.89
JBL’s character work from the moment the door shut to the end of the match was terrific here, selling the danger of an incensed Guerrero who was hell bent on taking revenge on JBL after a terrific feud between the pair. This did live up to the bloody and violent months which had come before it, even if it wasn’t as gory. It still felt intense, hard-hitting, and a lot of fun too, with Guerrero pulling out some impressive spots and moments. In the end, a dirty finish was a shame, but it did protect Guerrero so it wasn’t all bad.
4 Randy Orton Vs. Christian (WWE SmackDown 08.20.2011)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.25/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: N/A
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.25
Randy Orton and Christian had several great matches in 2011, and this one doesn’t get enough praise. They clashed inside a Steel Cage on SmackDown, once again showcasing their unteachable chemistry and having a clinic.
It might not have been the most violent of matches, but the in-ring work was tremendous, and it made reference to some of their previous clashes too. The Cage still felt prominent, but it could have arguably been utilized more.
3 Becky Lynch Vs. Trish Stratus (WWE Payback 2023)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.27
This was WWE’s best Steel Cage match in years, bringing back the true feeling of intensity, violence, and hatred that this stipulation has so desperately lacked for such a long time. These two women closed out their feud with a very hard-hitting match that had several ingenious moments too.
The huge bump on Stratus’ forehead certainly added to the match, adding some authenticity and realism to the bout. Lynch’s victory was built to well, and it is among the best Steel Cage matches of all time.
2 Edge Vs. Matt Hardy (WWE Unforgiven 2005)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling | 2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 1.75/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.61
The real life blood feud between these two men bled into the Steel Cage in 2005 in what was such an apt and fitting stipulation for both. Hardy and Edge had a bloody encounter which felt quite real, with even some awkward moments feeling more authentic.
Rey Mysterio's Definitive 10 Best WCW Matches, Ranked
Rey Mysterio's time in WCW is filled with amazing matches, proving he was well on his way to GOAT status from a young age!There were various great moments such as a Twist Of Fate on Lita, some top class near-falls, and the iconic Leg Drop from the top of the Cage by Hardy, giving him one of his biggest singles victories of his whole career.
1 Bret Hart Vs. Owen Hart (WWE SummerSlam 1994)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.25/10
Storytelling | 2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.25/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 9.15
There is no doubt at all that this was the best Steel Cage match of all time, and it came between the two Hart brothers who showcased an incredible chemistry during their feud together. With the WWE Championship on the line, the stakes were high in addition to their ongoing heat, making this an intense contest.
This was probably the best use of the “escape the cage” stipulation, as it was weaved ingeniously into the contest with both men preventing each from escaping, trying to one up one another, and not entirely being all about beating one another up.
