Here, we will take a look at WWEs greatest steel cage matches. WWE has gained an indomitable following around the globe with some entertaining storylines that have captivated many. The energy and high-octane performances that go with it have given goosebumps to a lot of people. The aura around the stadium is for everyone to feel as the fans raucously chant for their favorite superstars. Their are many matches which entice this atmosphere. But a match which brings with it a genuine feeling of awe and raw power is the steel cage match. The intense competition to win by getting out of the cage, by pinfall or by submission is bloody and gory, to say the least. So, lets go through some of these epic matches which have inflicted extreme pain to many high-profile wrestlers and have been a visual treat for the fans.
#10 Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy vs Christian and Edge (
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This match has been extremely undermined by the WWE but it probably has seen some high-octane action that can be compared to many top steel-cage matches. Edge and Christian had won their first major battle against the Hardy Boyz at TLC but the Hardys weren’t done yet. They clashed for yet another battle – this time in a steel cage. The match was physical, to say the least, as the Hardys dominated in the match before Jeff came out of the ring – but Matt couldn’t. Matt, though, showed some amazing resilience in bringing both his opponents on the mat numerous times before the numbers game came heavy on him as Edge and Christian dominated. Jeff tried hard and finally fought his way back in to help his brother by executing an incredible Whisper in the WInd dive from the top of the cage onto Edge. Another highlight of this match was when Edge was in the middle of both Jeff and Matt at the top of the cage, before both of them slammed their respective chairs at the back of Edge’s head, sending him flying back onto the mat. An amazing move by the Hardys as they climbed out of the cage.
#9 Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio (Smackdown 2005)
These two wrestlers aren’t involved in many steel cage matches but this match was one to remember for the rarity and quality of the occassion. Being more suited to the fast-paced way of wrestling, both these wrestlers performed incredibly in this match. Eddie hadn’t won ever over Mysterio, but he laid history to rest as he won this match. Sadly, he died a couple of months later, making this match one of the last greatest matches in his history.
#8 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Vince Mcmahon (St. Valentine\'s Day Massacre 1999)
The Stone-Cold and VInce Mcmahon rivalry was at its extreme at this point in the business and it was reflected in no less a manner as Mcmahon almost had his body parts handed out on a platter by Stone Cold. But just when Stone Cold was about to get out of the ring, Paul Wight, popularly known as BigShow presently, entered from under the ring to help Vince. He threw Stone Cold back onto the mat but the cage door opened for Stone Cold to go through. A truly entertaining match, if not comparatively bloody. Austin’s win meant that he was going to Wrestlemania for a match against The Rock – a pleasing aspect for the fans,
#7 Jimmy Jacobs vs BJ Whitmer (Supercard of Honor II)
It was match that ended a year-long feud between the two wrestlers was renowned for an infamous tag – The Bloodbath of the Year. Here, Whitmer had Jacobs on top of the top rope for a powerbomb where he lost his balance and fell to the outside of the ring. In the process,Whitmer threw Jacobs first on the rope and then on the apron. A truly devastating fall as BJ hurt his ankle really badly in the process. A truly gory match.
#6 Matt Hardy vs Edge (Unforgiven 2005)
Matt Hardy made a public statement about how he had been with Lita for six years, how she betrayed him to sleep with his best friend, Edge, and how she got him fired from what he loves most,i.e., WWE. So, when Matt came back for his match against Edge , the storyline couldn’t have been any better as Matt Hardy had only revenge on his mind. Edge dominated the preliminary stages of the match but was shunned away soon by Matt who took control in a menacing manner. As Matt went for the pinfall, Lita intervened to break it for which she paid for, as Matt gave her a Twist of Fate. Before that, Matt had hit a Side Effect on Edge to knock him unconcsious on the mat and thus, after Lita, he focused his attention on the still-unconscious Edge, executing a leg drop off the top of the cage and covering him to win the match. This win brought Matt Hardy to the peak of his career.
#5 Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit (Raw 2011)
This is one of the best steel cage matches that RAW has ever produced as it saw some incredible moves from the rivals. The intensity of having nothing on the line but still going at each other with all the strength that they could muster is something that entertained the audiences to a huge extent. As Benoit was supposed to challenge Jericho and Stone Cold for the WWE title later on this year, Austin was standing just outside the cage. Once, Angle climbed to the top of the age but, instead of climbing out, he attempted an audacious Moonsault off the top. Benoit moved and Angle hit the mat. Benoit executed nine German suplexes to ground Angle on the mat and climbed to the top of the cage, before being prevented by Austin. Finally, Austin hit the cage door on Benoit’s face before Angle won by pinfall.
#4 Edge vs Kurt Angle (Smackdown 2002)
The two foes had met for a Hair vs Hair match at Judgement Day. Being embarassed at losing his hair after the match, Kurt Angle continued his rivalry at Smackdown in a steel cage match. The match was supposed to extend the storyline of Kurt to overcome Edge and become a bigger star. But what we saw was completely different. Edge shed some blood in the match. A scene rarely seen. Angle climbed out of the cage but was sent back in by Hulk Hogan, standing outside the cage. As the referee was unconscious, the match continued. Edge speared Kurt Angle from the top of the turnbuckle to win the match. Again, a scene rarely seen, This shows how unique the match-up was.
#3 Ric Flair vs Harley Race (Starrcade 1983)
The rivalry between the two started with Harley Race winning the title in June. He then put a price on Flair for his defeat at any wrestler’s hands. After Flair lay sprawled from a piledriver by Bob Orton Jr. and Dick Slater, the bounty was given to them. Flair announced his retirement due to a serious neck injury but came back soon afterwards to attack Orton and Slater. Ultimately, the feud culminated into a match-up between him and Harley Race at Starrcade, where Flair regained the title after a gutsy fight.
#2 Bret Hart vs Owen Hart (Summer slam 1994)
Being touted as the best rivalry in 1994, Owen Hart and Bret Hart had a brilliant matchup in the steel cage with Bret Hart’s WWF title on the line. It all started at Survivor Series when Owen was the only brother in the Hart family who couldn’t win his Survivor Series match. The rivalry continued to an extent where Bret won the title and, just after that, Owen became the King of the Ring. Hence, an epic battle ensued where both the brothers were at the right place at the right time. An evenly fought match was later won by Bret, but not without interruptions as Jim Neidhart had his go at Bret before the British Bulldog saved him.
#1 HHH vs Ric Flair (Taboo Tuesday 2005)
After Batista and Randy Orton left, it was down to HHH and Ric Flair to take over the legacy of “Evolution”. But rifts began to rise between the two, as HHH said that he can’t carry the burden of “the old man” anymore and wanted to “put him out to the pastures”. Meanwhile, Flair won the Intercontinental title at this time. Therefore, the match at Taboo Tuesday would be for the Intercontinental title. And it was a brilliant match as both of them went at each other like hounds and dogs. While HHH had promised that it would be the end of RIc Flair, Ric Flair had promised that it would be a good match. And it was, as Ric Flair won the title yet again.
