The First 10 WWE Hell In A Cell Matches, Ranked From Worst To Best
WWE found instant success with the Hell in a Cell match back in 1997. The cage match was starting to grow stale until WWE introduced this new concept with the giant cell leading to more opportunities to create compelling stories. WWE has continued using the stipulation for over 24 years with it likely never going away.
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Even the Hell in a Cell PPV has become a consistent part of WWE’s annual events. The match certainly holds appeal when the right bout is booked to take place inside of the structure. But the match wouldn't be such a prominent staple of WWE history if it were not for the first men to battle inside The Devil's Playground. Some matches were epic, while other early HIAC battles were lackluster and not worth being featured inside the cell.
10 Kane Vs Mankind (Raw: August 24, 1998)
WWE made a few mistakes of potentially harming the reputation of the Hell in a Cell match by having pointless matches on Raw with the stipulation. Kane and Mankind faced off in the fourth ever match inside of the structure.
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The match was rather short and just was used to add an attraction for quick ratings. WWE ended the match in a no-contest as it wasn’t a huge part of the program. Kane and Mankind’s tag team ended around this time and this gave them a chance to sell the break-up.
9 The Undertaker & Steve Austin Vs Mankind & Kane (Raw: June 15, 1998)
Another early Hell in a Cell match on Raw featured the tag team of Steve Austin and The Undertaker vs Kane and Mankind. The second-ever match inside of the structure would sell the upcoming King of the Ring PPV of two singles matches.
WWE was setting up a bigger storyline later in the summer with Undertaker challenging Austin for the WWE Championship. All four wrestlers were on fire at the time, but the lackluster match wasted the stipulation so early.
8 The Undertaker Vs Big Boss Man (WrestleMania 15)
WWE did not realize The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak would become a bigger part of his legacy when facing Big Boss Man at WrestleMania 15. Undertaker became associated with the Hell in a Cell structure and WWE hoped the attraction would add to the show.
Big Boss Man had no chance heading into the match, but he represented The Corporation when Undertaker feuded with Vince McMahon. The match wasn’t a classic by any means as Undertaker easily destroyed Boss Man. Fans mostly remember the ending visual of Boss Man being hung by a noose as the cell raised.
7 Triple H Vs Kevin Nash (Bad Blood 2003)
WWE tried to make Kevin Nash a main eventer when returning to WWE in 2003 from an injury. Nash worked a program with his friend Triple H for the World Championship inside of the Hell in a Cell structure at Bad Blood.
Mick Foley was added to the match as a special guest referee hoping to add to the overall attraction. WWE missed the mark with Nash not coming off as a viable threat to Triple H’s reign of terror. The match was just average in the cell as the Raw main event scene lost momentum.
6 Triple H Vs Chris Jericho (Judgment Day 2002)
There was always chemistry between Triple H and Chris Jericho from their time working together in 2000. Jericho and Triple H main-evented WrestleMania 18 and kept the feud going for a few more months in 2002.
Judgment Day featured Triple H beating Jericho to end that chapter of the feud inside of the Hell in a Cell structure. The face-run of Triple H coming back from his torn quad saw him scoring a huge win in the feud by overcoming Jericho.
5 Kurt Angle Vs Steve Austin Vs The Rock Vs The Undertaker Vs Triple H Vs Rikishi (Armageddon 2000)
WWE ran a huge attraction of six top stars facing off in the Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon 2000. Kurt Angle defended the WWE Championship against the legendary names of Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Rikishi.
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The car crash atmosphere was what WWE wanted with fans wanting the star power and violence. Angle retained in a fun match, but the most memorable moment was Undertaker throwing Rikishi off the top of the cell.
4 Brock Lesnar Vs The Undertaker (No Mercy 2002)
2002 was the year of Brock Lesnar becoming the top new Superstar for WWE. Lesnar had all the momentum in the world after beating The Rock for the WWE Championship and destroying Hulk Hogan in an extended squash match.
The Undertaker was the first program for Brock designed to provide long-term results. A heated rivalry would end inside of the Hell in a Cell structure when Lesnar scored a clean victory over Undertaker. Both men worked hard to provide an outstanding effort at No Mercy 2002.
3 Triple H Vs Cactus Jack (No Way Out 2000)
The end of Mick Foley’s full-time career saw him using the Cactus Jack character for an outstanding program with Triple H. Steve Austin taking time off to recover from neck surgery allowed other top names like Foley and Triple H to run with the ball.
Foley put his career on the line for one more shot at Triple H’s WWE Championship with the demand of the match taking place inside of the Hell in a Cell. Triple H won the violent match with weapons like a 2x4 wrapped in barbed wire lit on fire. Foley did come out of retirement many more times despite the stipulation.
2 The Undertaker Vs Mankind (King Of The Ring 1998)
Wrestling fans will always remember the infamous Hell in a Cell match of Mankind vs The Undertaker when thinking of the stipulation. Undertaker throwing Mick Foley off the top of the cell through the commentary table and then through the ring will always define the match.
Foley put his body on the line and wanted to create a memory that would never die. Fans still talk about that moment today as it will always be synonymous with the careers of Undertaker and Foley. King of the Ring 1998 was the night when the Hell in a Cell match left the audience in shock.
1 Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker (Badd Blood: In Your House)
WWE picked the right two wrestlers to start the Hell in a Cell match stipulation with The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. Storytelling and violence were delivered in a masterful manner when both men faced off in the structure at Badd Blood: In Your House.
Michaels bumped to make the match an instant classic that also added to Undertaker’s legacy. The ending of Kane making his debut provided even more historical importance. Michaels and Undertaker ensured the success of the Hell in a Cell match to keep the idea around for the long-term.
NEXT: 5 Hell In A Cell Matches That Were Brutal (& 5 That Were Tame)
