The Hell in a Cell is the ultimate steel cage match. A Hell in a Cell cage is taller, wider, and has more support struts than a traditional steel cage. These attributes make the Hell in a Cell the most dangerous, exciting, and death-defying of all of the WWE gimmick match types.
Most fans and even many wrestling journalists believe (wrongly) that the first Hell in a Cell match was contested between Mankind and Undertaker. However, that match is perhaps the most memorable in HIAC history, so the confusion is understandable.
The original Hell in a Cell Match took place between Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker. They set the stage for an ever-expanding match type which has included tag matches, handicap matches, and even women's matches.
Since the HIAC match has been around for over twenty years, it has a great deal of lore and history built up around it. One of the things many people believe is that Undertaker has won the most HIAC matches. But is it true?
Here are the WWE superstars who have won the most Hell in a Cell matches in WWE history.
Honorable Mention: Mick Foley
We would be completely remiss if we didn't mention the man who is nearly as synonymous with Hell in a Cell as the Undertaker – Mick Foley.
The man of three faces – Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind; if you're keeping score at home, has never, ever managed to win a single, solitary Hell in a Cell Match, despite being a participant four separate times as three different characters.
Despite this deplorable record, Mick Foley has nonetheless given us many of the best Hell in a Cell moments over the years. We salute Mick Foley's hard work and dedication with an honorable mention. Foley is the hardest working man to never win the Hell in a Cell match.
#6 Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Usos, Kane, Mark Henry, Seth Rollins, Alberto Del Rio, Charlotte Flair, and Kurt Angle (One win each)
For the number six spot on the countdown, no less than nine superstars are tied with one HIAC win a piece.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, despite his many accolades, has only managed to win in the Hell in a Cell cage one time.
Other one-timers include The Usos, Kane, Mark Henry, Seth Rollins, Alberto Del Rio, Charlotte Flair, and Kurt Angle. The Usos have the unique distinction of being the only full time tag team to have won inside Hell in a Cell.
Of the men tied with one win each, it's important to point out that each and every one has been a 'big belt' champion in the WWE. This just illustrates how difficult it is to rack up a lot of wins inside Satan's Structure.
#5 Brock Lesnar, Batista, John Cena, CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns (Two wins each)
For our number five spot on the countdown of top Hell in a Cell winners, we have a six-way tie.
The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar leads the pack, simply because one of his victories was against the legendary Phenom, The Undertaker.
The remaining names on the list might surprise you. Batista is a bona fide movie star. He has played the character Drax the Destroyer in both the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and The Avengers. The Animal is a multi-time world champion in WWE, but has only managed to win the HIAC match twice.
Another surprising name? John Cena. The Face that Runs the Place might be a 16-time world champion, but he can only count two HIAC match victories to his credit. Roman Reigns, despite being "The Guy," only has two HIAC victories as well.
The final men on the tied for number four list are CM Punk and Kevin Owens, who also won twice.
#4 Shawn Michaels
For the number four spot on our most winning-est Hell in a Cell match participants, we have one of the most celebrated and decorated superstars in WWE history. He thinks he's cute, he knows he's sexy, and he's got the looks that drive the girls wild.
Shawn Michaels was there at the beginning. He battled the Undertaker in the first-ever Hell in a Cell match, held at Bad Blood in 1997. Shawn Michaels, as is his reputation, did the majority of the 'bumping' for the match. Basically he allowed the Undertaker to pound him mercilessly everywhere, even throwing the Heart Break Kid off of the satanic structure.
Michaels has managed to win the Hell in a Cell three times in four appearances in the event. It takes a legend to have a legendary record in the Hell in a Cell match, and that's just what Shawn Michaels is.
#3 Randy Orton
For the number three spot on our countdown, we turn to one of the longest tenured superstars on the current WWE roster. This man has only wrestled for WWE, or its developmental territories. He's a third generation superstar whose father was a prominent figure in the company before him.
We're talking about none other than the Apex Predator, Randy Orton. The Viper was groomed right from the start for greatness. Shortly after his debut, he joined the Evolution faction along with Triple H, Ric Flair, and Batista.
Randy Orton is also the youngest man in history to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Over the years, Randy has flip-flopped between heel and babyface, but most fans would agree he makes a natural villain.
Orton has won four separate Hell in a Cell matches in seven appearances. This makes him even more legendary, and gives him the number three spot on our list.
#2. Triple H
Our number two spot belongs to the Cerebral Assassin, the Game, the King of Kings, the current COO of WWE, Jean Paul Levesque aka Triple H.
Triple H has managed to rack up an impressive six wins in the Hell in a Cell Match. In fact, he has more Hell in a Cell appearances than any other superstar except for one. While many may point to Triple H's obvious backstage connections as the reason for his many victories, one must also remember that after the Attitude Era ended, the Rock left and Stone Cold Steve Austin was no longer an active wrestler.
This left Triple H as the biggest name star in the company, and a logical choice for the pay-per-view main events in which Hell in a Cell matches often take place. His success inside the heinous structure is one the reasons why he has lived up to his 'Cerebral Assassin' moniker.
#1 The Undertaker.
Our number one is a man who should be no stranger to WWE fans, and wrestling fans in general: The Undertaker.
The Phenom was involved in the very first Hell in a Cell Match way back in 1997. Though he lost that encounter, The Undertaker would go on to become the most winningest man in Hell in a Cell history. With fourteen appearances, The Deadman has managed to rack up no less than eight victories, the most of any WWE Superstar.
The Undertaker has been so heavily, intrinsically involved with the concept of Hell in a Cell that he is often associated with the match even when he's not participating in it. His match with Mankind is probably the most talked about HIAC match ever, and with very good reason. The violence of that encounter has come to define what the match can do to the careers of its participants, setting the standard for every match that has taken place inside the structure since.
There you have it: The most winning Superstars in Hell in a Cell match history, and one honorable mention. Questions or comments? Please let us know below after the article, and as always thanks for reading!