Hell in a Cell matches have given fans some of the most violent & entertaining match in WWE history. Since 2009, the show remains a staple of the pay-per-view WWE calendar and is unlikely to change given the matches on offer.
The 2021 Hell in a Cell is set to take place on the 20th of June at the Thunderdome, Florida, so we figured there’s no better time to re-live the top five Hell in a Cell matches in the history of the sport.
1. BROCK LESNAR vs UNDERTAKER – 2015
The main event of the 2015 Hell in a Cell PPV featured heavyweights Brock Lesnar and the Undertaker in what was billed as the final clash between two of the most iconic figures in WWE history. The action got bloody early on, with Lesnar ripping up the ring to expose the wooden boards, while the Undertaker had his way by shoving Lesnar’s face into the ring post, which made Lesnar bleed. The Undertaker started bleeding too after Lesnar hit him with a steel chair and things swung in Lesnar’s favour from there on. He dished out two F-5’s, and stuck the Taker with the steel steps. The Undertaker fought back by landing his signature chokeslam but a low blow from Lesnar helped him land another F-5 and pin down the taker for the victory. After the match, The Wyatt family unleashed their anger against the Phenom by attacking him.
2. SASHA BANKS vs BAYLEY – 2020
Sasha Banks and Bayley stole the headlines in the 2020 Hell in a Cell PPV when both fighters went head to head inside the cell for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Banks started strong with an early Bank Statement, but Bayley did just enough to get out of the submission. The wrestlers displayed some interesting moves that October night with Banks using the table as a ramp to run and hit Bayley with a Meteora that put Bayley into the cage. Bayley came back into the fight as she got her hands on a steel chair but Banks defended herself by using two kendo sticks. Bayley then duct-taped two kendo sticks but before she could use it, Banks sprayed the fire extinguisher in her opponent’s eyes and got her hands on the kendo sticks, and went all out. Soon, Banks locked Bayley into the Bank Statement for the second time but this time, a chair was wrapped around her head as well. Banks won the match via submission to win the championship title as the heat between the former best friends reached a new high.
3. DEAN AMBROSE vs SETH ROLLINS – 2014
Former shield teammates faced each other inside the Cell in the 2014 edition of the Hell in a Cell PPV. This was one of the weirdest matches to take place inside the Cell! Ambrose climbed up the cell before the match began and Jaime Noble and Joey Mercury of the Authority entered the ring and tried to get Ambrose down but ended up getting beaten by Kendo sticks. This gave Rollins time to climb up and unleash on Ambrose. After fighting each other for a while at the top, both of them fell on the announcers’ table from the top of the Cell. Both wrestlers found themselves on stretchers moments later but the Lunatic Fringe started pounding on Rollins and the match was given a green signal from thereon. As things went on, Ambrose performed a diving elbow through the table and attempted to put Rollins through the cinder blocks, who did well to avoid it. Kane then intervened in the match and sprayed a fire extinguisher on Ambrose which allowed Rollins to perform a Curb Stomp. Ambrose managed a way out from it but the entire arena suddenly went black and all you could see was Bray Wyatt’s lantern. Wyatt then entered the ring and executed a Uranage Slam on Ambrose which allowed Rollins to pin him for the win.
4. SASHA BANKS vs CHARLOTTE – 2016 HELL IN A CELL
Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks are two WWE stars that helped push women’s wrestling to the next level, so it was fitting that the 2016 Hell in a Cell bout between Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair was the first-ever Women’s Hell in a Cell match and WHAT A FIGHT this was. The two women went at each other in a 22-minute match for the Raw Women’s Championship and the fight started outside the ring before the cell could even be lowered. Charlotte then decided to climb the cell wall but was brought down by Banks, but then performed a mind-blowing powerbomb through the announcers’ table and the fight was called to a halt as Banks was about to be taken away on a stretcher for Charlotte to be declared the winner. But, Banks did not throw in the towel, got up and entered the ring and the match officially re-started. Banks finally tried to land a Powerbomb through a table and finish the fight but Charlotte reversed the move and threw Banks on the table which positioned her to land a Natural Selection on the table to win the title.
5. UNDERTAKER vs EDGE – 2008 SUMMERSLAM
The fight between The Undertaker and Edge back in SummerSlam 2008, is hands down THE BEST Hell in a Cell Match of all time as The Undertaker proved why he is known as the King of the Cell. Early in the match, Undertaker was put through a table with a chair-assisted elbow drop by Edge. The R-rated Superstar performed multiple spears on the Taker, one through the cell panel which broke the cell, and the other one was through the announcers’ table. Edge then landed a third spear when both of them entered the ring for a near-fall. Things changed when Edge tried to perform the Old School on Undertaker. The Phenom reversed it with a chokeslam from the top rope and a Tombstone Piledriver then ended the match giving Undertaker the victory. As he was leaving the ring, he saw Edge moving a bit so he went back and choke slammed Edge off a ladder through the canvas. This match ended with the commentator saying “Edge has been sent to hell”!
[Image Credit: Wrestling News World]
Shashank Iyer