WWE: Randy Orton's 7-match history in Hell in a Cell

By Suhas Jirgi
Modified Oct 24, 2020 01:06 GMT
A Viper in his element [Photo credit: CBSsports.com]
A Viper in his element [Photo credit: CBSsports.com]

WWE's Hell in a Cell is aptly referred to as a satanic structure. It's unforgiving, lethal, and intense. One would assume this is the perfect setting for someone like The Viper Randy Orton.

Interestingly, Randy Orton has failed to make his mark in Hell in a Cell matches like a few of his peers have managed to do. The Undertaker, Triple H, and Mankind seem to have had a larger impact on Hell in a Cell's history than the Apex Predator.

This isn't to say that Randy Orton is a stranger to the Hell in a Cell structure; quite the contrary. Randy Orton has been involved in seven Hell in a Cell matches throughout his career, emerging as the victor in four of these bouts.

Randy Orton is set to make his eighth appearances inside Hell in a Cell at Sunday's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view where he will challenge the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre.

In the closing moments of the go-home edition of WWE RAW, Randy Orton sat in the middle of the Hell in a Cell structure and spoke about his history inside it. As opposed to fear, The Viper almost seemed fond of his memories in the unforgiving structure.

" I wanted to come out here and reflect. I wanted to come out here and remember. Ever since I've been in this company, I've heard about the hell in a Cell. I have heard that anyone who competes inside Hell in a Cell leaves a small piece of them behind. I have had seven matches inside this structure and I have never left any piece of myself behind. If anything, I have just understood myself better. Each and everytime I walked out that door I understood was I was truly capable of. This Sunday I face Drew McIntye for the 8th time in the Hell in a Cell."

Let's take a stroll down memory lane and examine Randy Orton's love story with WWE's deadly structure.

7. Randy Orton vs. The Undertaker - WWE Armageddon 2005

Showing a youngster his place [Pc: Whatculture.com]
Showing a youngster his place [Pc: Whatculture.com]

Randy Orton's debuted in the Hell in a Cell match against The Phenom a decade and a half ago. The third-generation star was embroiled in an intense WWE feud for nine long months with The Undertaker, who was at the height of his popularity.

Orton, who was assisted by his father Bob Orton, was a thorn in Undertaker's side throughout 2005. The last straw came during SummerSlam when the Ortons won a Handicapped Casket Match against the Dead Man and set the casket on fire for good measure.

An understandably angry Undertaker returned in a burning casket during Survivor Series and attacked Orton. The Undertaker would continue to haunt The Viper until their feud reached a climax inside the Hell in a Cell during WWE Armageddon.

Sneak attacks and assistance from Bob Orton proved futile as The Undertaker overcame the young WWE superstar in a match that lasted over 30 minutes.

6. Randy Orton vs. John Cena - WWE Hell in a Cell 2009

A Brutal Encounter
A Brutal Encounter

Randy Orton and John Cena are arguably the biggest WWE superstars in the 21st century. They're both similar in age and main-event caliber wrestlers, which meant that they constantly butted heads throughout their WWE careers.

In 2009, Cena and Orton feuded over the WWE Championship. The Viper viciously chased the title, overcoming the likes of Triple H, Batista, and The Big Show. Cena failed to win the title from a sneaky Orton during SummerSlam. The Leader of Cenation came back strong at Breaking Point to reclaim the championship in an "I Quit" match.

Locked inside the Hell in a Cell, Orton was without the assistance of Evolution or Legacy. Cena actually managed to force his rival out when he locked in the STF. Unfortunately, the referee was unconscious and didn't see Orton submit.

The Apex Predator took full advantage of this and immediately retaliated with an RKO. After a Punt Kick, Orton stood tall in the middle of the Hell in a Cell with his WWE Championship reign intact.

5. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus - WWE Hell in a Cell 2010

A hard-hitting encounter
A hard-hitting encounter

Randy Orton was involved in a WWE Championship match inside the Hell in a Cell for the second consecutive year in 2010. This time, he faced another formidable former champion, Sheamus.

Randy Orton had won a 6-pack challenge for the WWE Championship just a fortnight before the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. The other five contestants included John Cena, Edge, Wade Barrett, Chris Jericho, and then WWE Champion Sheamus.

The Celtic Warrior aimed to reclaim his title inside the satanic structure. A physical matchup followed, where both fought desperately to gain the upper hand.

The WWE superstars relied less on the structure and more on hand-to-hand combat as they looked to inflict damage on their opponent. Sheamus landed two strong Brogue Kicks but Orton managed to kick out. The finish came when The Viper hit a devastating RKO on the steel stairs to retain his WWE Championship. Incidentally, this was Sheamus's only match inside the Hell in a Cell.

4. Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton - WWE Hell in a Cell 2011

The 'Strongest' opponent [Photo credit: WWE.com]
The 'Strongest' opponent [Photo credit: WWE.com]

In 2011, Randy Orton completed the trifecta of Hell in a Cell appearances in WWE. This time, he challenged Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Unlike the previous two instances, Orton was the challenger this time around. The World's Strongest Man defeated The Viper for the title in the previous WWE pay-per-view, Night of Champions.

Orton invoked his rematch-clause and demanded that the match occurs in the satanic structure. The match turned into a speed vs. power exhibition as the third-generation wrestler tried to outmaneuver his larger opponent.

Orton's agility served him well as he managed to hit an RKO to force a near fall. The Apex Predator looked to put Mark Henry away as he lined him up for a punt.

Orton ran in with a full head of steam to deliver his finisher but Henry showed that he is quite agile in his own right. Jumping onto his feet, Mark Henry reversed the Punt Kick into The World's Strongest Slam, which was enough to put Orton down for a three-count.

3. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton - Hell in a Cell 2013

Plenty of Drama [Photo credit: WWE.com]
Plenty of Drama [Photo credit: WWE.com]

After appearing in the Hell in a Cell for three consecutive years, WWE kept Randy Orton out of the stipulation match for the next two. He reentered the structure in 2014 to face off against Daniel Bryan who was riding the wave of the Yes movement. The two squared off to claim the WWE Championship which, was vacant. Shawn Micheals was the special guest referee.

In reality, there were a lot more forces at play other than the two WWE superstars in the ring. The Authority, which consisted of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, wanted Orton to be the face of the company. Even though Bryan dethroned The Viper as the WWE Champion at Night of Champions, The Authority refused to crown Daniel Bryan as the legitimate titleholder.

They argued that referee Scott Armstrong had erred with a fast-count and pried the from Bryan. As a result, HBK, a close friend of Triple H andBryan's trainer, acted as the special guest referee for their Hell in a Cell match to maintain fairness.

Daniel Bryan was in control of the match until the end when the match fell into disarray. Triple H made his way into the match to interfere but Daniel Bryan delivered a Running Knee to knock him out. Livid, Shawn Micheals hit Daniel Bryan with a Sweet-Chin Music to allow Randy Orton to pick up the win.

2. John Cena vs. Randy Orton - WWE Hell in a Cell 2014

Battle for supremacy
Battle for supremacy

After appearances in Hell in a Cell 2013, WWE kept Orton out of the iconic match for three years. He reentered the structure in 2014 to face off against his old nemesis, The Doctor of Thuganomics.

There was no title on the line this time around, but the winner would earn a future title shot against then WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar.

As usual, Cena and Orton had an intense match as both Superstars tried to one-up each other. After a solid 15-minutes, the match devolved into both the WWE superstars hitting one finisher after the other.

The future Hall of Famer traded low blows, RKOs, Attitude Adjustments, and STF submissions back and forth in quick succession but both the competitors refused to give up.

John Cena recognized that his normal offense would not cut it and chose to use the strongest attack in his arsenal. Grabbing The Viper, John Cena delivered a Super Attitude Adjustment through a table to finally win via pinfall.

1. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton - WWE Hell in a Cell 2016

Blood feud [Pc: Pinterest]
Blood feud [Pc: Pinterest]

This is Randy Orton's most recent appearance in Hell in a Cell. Interestingly, this is only The Viper's second match in the structure, after his feud against the Undertaker in 2009, that didn't revolve around a WWE world title.

Orton and Jeff Hardy's feud started earlier in the year when The Charismatic Enigma beat The Viper at Backlash to retain his United States Championship. Since then, Orton has targeted Hardy constantly. He even helped Shinsuke Nakamura defeat him for the US title.

Orton later revealed that he despised the WWE Universe for backing wrestlers like Hardy. The Viper blamed the fans for turning their backs on and wanted to see their beloved Hardy suffer. Both WWE Superstars decided to settle their feud in a Hell in a Cell match.

The most memorable moment of their match came when Orton skewered Hardy's earlobe with a screwdriver and twisted. The visual was still pretty scathing.

Hardy's high-flying offense proved to be his downfall. Hangin from the top of the cell, he plunged himself onto Orton, who was lying motionless on a table. Unfortunately, The Viper was just playing possum.

Rolling out of the way, Randy Orton quickly covered Jeff Hardy for the pinfall victory, ending his most recent appearance within Hell in a Cell on a gruesome but positive note.

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