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WWE is back with another edition of Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Over the years, this stipulation has gifted us a lot of unforgettable moments. From merciless assaults to death-defying maneuvers, the Cell often prompts superstars to unleash the relentless monster they carry within. As a result, it has become synonymous with some of the most brutal spots ever seen in the business.
In this article, we will discuss the ten biggest jaw-dropping moments in Hell in a Cell history. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
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#10 Becky Lynch hits Sasha Banks with a devastating dropkick (Hell in a Cell, 2019)
Two years ago, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks locked horns in a brutal Hell in a Cell match with The Man’s RAW Women’s Championship on the line. It was undoubtedly the best match of the night. Several viewers argued that it should have been the main event of the pay-per-view. Lynch attempted a risky spot during this match, and she stopped mid-way to say a quick prayer.
Lynch used kendo sticks to set up a steel chair in the corner of the Cell. She then put Banks on a chair and sat with her lower half dangling in the air. Lynch then got back to the apron, ran towards the post, and launched a vicious dropkick at Banks. The latter fell face-flat onto the ground after the impact. Lynch would eventually go on to win the match, but this Hell in a Cell spot had the viewers buzzing for months.
#9 The Undertaker chokeslams Rikishi off the Cell (Hell in a Cell match, 2000)
In 2000, WWE booked a 6-man Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon pay-per-view. The match saw The Undertaker, Triple H, Steve Austin, The Rock, Rikishi, and Kurt Angle squaring off for the WWF Championship. All superstars were taking turns launching attacks when Vince McMahon decided to run interference.
He brought a truck along with himself and parked it at ringside. Vince then unlocked the Cell but couldn’t do anything else as Mankind arrived at the scene and drove him away. In the meantime, all the Hell in the Cell participants escaped and started climbing onto the top of the steel structure. Eventually, Rikishi started brawling with the Undertaker and the then-champion, Kurt Angle.
All of a sudden, The Phenom grabbed Rikishi by the neck and chokeslammed him from the top of the Cell. The crowd rose to its feet as Rikishi came crashing down. He fell directly on the truck that was lined with pine chips. Angle would eventually win the match after pinning Rock. However, Undertaker’s hellacious decision to toss a giant remains the biggest highlight of this Hell in a Cell match.
#8 Shawn Michaels falls of the Cell in the historic match (Hell in a Cell match, 1997)
The iconic spot dates back to the first-ever Hell in a Cell match in WWE. The promotion introduced this brutal stipulation at Badd Blood: In Your House. This match saw The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels lock horns in an intense match to become the #1 contender for Bret Hart’s world title. A cameraman was accidentally injured during this match. This led to the officials opening the Cell, and both the superstars quickly escaped.
They were on the side of the Cell when The Undertaker slammed Shawn Michaels' face into the cage. He then proceeded to stomp on Michaels’ hand, who was struggling to hang on to the edge. Eventually, his hands gave up, and he fell through the Spanish commentary desk. The crowd couldn’t believe what it just saw, but this gave us the first taste of the brutality that can transpire in Hell in a Cell match.
#7 Kane makes one of the best debuts in WWE history (Hell in a Cell match, 1997)
Despite the disastrous fall, Shawn Michaels would eventually win the first-ever Hell in a Cell match in WWE. Fans thought the highest point of the match was Michaels crashing into the commentary desk, but there was more to come. The match also marked Kane’s debut, Undertaker’s kayfabe brother and one of the best monsters to step inside the WWE ring.
Kane returned with a vengeance against Undertaker and wasted no time in viciously attacking his brother. This helped Michaels win the historic Hell in a Cell match. Little did anyone know that it was also the beginning of one of the best storylines ever created in pro-wrestling. Everything about Kane’s debut was perfect, and with time, he went on to become everyone’s favorite Demon.
#6 Shane McMahon’s infamous drop (Hell in a Cell match, 2016)
At WrestleMania 32, Shane McMahon competed in a high-stakes Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker. The Phenom dominated most of the match, while Shane heavily relied on weapons to gain the upper hand. At one point, The Undertaker slammed Shane through the side of the cell and both superstars crashed onto the floor at ringside.
Following that, Shane McMahon hit The Undertaker with monitors and toolboxes to keep him down. He put ‘Taker on the announce desk and climbed onto the top of the Cell. Shane then attempted Leap of Faith from the top, but his plan backfired. The Undertaker moved, and Shane McMahon crashed into the announce desk. Although Shane McMahon lost the match and left the arena on a stretcher, this risky Hell in a Cell spot earned him a lot of admiration.
#5 End of an Era (Hell in a Cell match, 2012)
Another of The Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell matches was at WrestleMania 28. He faced Triple H in one of the most memorable matches of his career, widely known as End of an Era. Shawn Michaels also played a critical role in the match as a special guest referee. It was an instant classic as both Undertaker, and Triple H risked everything to deliver a blockbuster.
At one point in the match, both Michaels and Triple H teamed up to brutalize Undertaker. The Deadman would take a lot of punishment as he was subjected to a never-ending series of Pedigrees, a Sweet Chin Music, and multiple chair and sledgehammer shots. He was bleeding profusely but kept coming back for a fight. ‘Taker eventually used a few devastating Tombstone Piledrivers to win this Hell in a Cell match and extend his WrestleMania streak to 20-0.
Fans gave them a standing ovation after a brilliant display of action and crafty storytelling. Following the match, Undertaker and Shawn Michaels helped Triple H walk back. The three superstars then hugged near the entrance amidst WWE Universe’s thunderous applause. This Hell in a Cell match became a bittersweet reminder of how the superstars of yesteryear went to war inside the squared circle.
#4 Daniel Bryan gets pinned (Hell in a Cell, 2013)
Shawn Michaels acted as a special guest referee in another memorable Hell in a Cell match back in 2013. The match saw Daniel Bryan lock horns with Randy Orton for the vacant WWE Championship. At the time, Bryan was involved in an exciting feud with the Authority. After a series of title matches between Bryan and Orton, the two once again met inside the hellacious structure.
During the match, Orton accidentally knocked into a distracted Michaels. This prompted Triple H to enter the ring and check on his friend. He also pushed Bryan, and the latter responded with a Yes Kick. However, Michaels used this opportunity to hit Bryan with a Sweet Chin Music that eventually allowed Randy Orton to win the title at Hell in a Cell.
The fans were fully expecting interference, but they wanted Bryan to win the title at any cost by this point. His loss at Hell in a Cell proved to be a turning point in his push, following which he forever changed the landscape of world titles pictures in WWE.
#3 The Undertaker pins Mankind on thumbtacks (Hell in a Cell match, 1998)
The top three moments in this list come from the same Hell in a Cell match. As is evident from the rest of this feature, The Undertaker has an envious record of crafting some of the best spots in the stipulation’s history. But Mankind took the game to a whole new level when he faced Deadman at WWE King of the Ring pay-per-view in 1998.
It was one of the most famous wrestling matches of all time. Since its best moments can’t be ranked chronologically, we will have to play with the timeline. The end of the match saw The Undertaker deliver a Tombstone Piledriver and slam his opponent against the thumbtack scattered in the ring. Mankind’s scream ringed through the arena as he rolled around in tiny, sharp needles. This was a cruel end to an equally nerve-wracking Hell in a Cell match.
#2 The Undertaker throws Mankind off the Cell (Hell in a Cell match, 1998)
Mankind’s thumbtack-lined pinfall was far from the most shocking moment in this Hell in a Cell match. As soon as Mankind came out, he climbed onto the top of the cell. The Undertaker followed him, but the latter also had a chair with him. As soon as ‘Taker reached the top, Mankind started ruthlessly attacking him with multiple chair shots.
A frustrated Undertaker then picked up Mankind and threw him right off the top of the cell. Mankind crashed into the Spanish announce desk while the commentators screamed their lungs out in the background. In hindsight, it was the perfect way to start the most memorable Hell in a Cell match ever to take place.
The Hell in a Cell structure began to rise slowly, with Undertaker standing on top.
Everyone, including Vince McMahon, rushed out to see Mankind, who was knocked unconscious in the middle of the ring. He had a loose tooth hanging, but that didn’t stop him from smiling. He left the WWE officials and came to the ring to complete the match as planned.
The creative had previously agreed for the spot, but The Undertaker was unwilling to throw Mankind off the top. The latter insisted that he wanted to take the bump, and after a lot of convincing, The Undertaker hesitantly agreed. Interestingly, this still wasn’t the most shocking moment of this Hell in a Cell match.
#1 The Undertaker throws Mankind through the Cell (Hell in a Cell match, 1998)
The iconic Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind also gave us one of the scariest wrestling moments of all time. After Mankind’s first fall, both superstars went back to the top of the cage. As per the plan, one section of the steel mesh was loosened to bend with the weight of both the wrestlers.
After a short brawl, Undertaker chokeslammed Mankind, but he shockingly went through the cage and crashed into the mat with a dangerous fall. The chair also fell through the gap and hit Mankind directly on the head. The Undertaker thought that Mankind was dead, but he stayed in character.
This match forever cemented Mankind’s legacy as someone who would risk his life for the business. Fans were left in disbelief at the sight of everything that happened in the epic Hell in the Cell clash between Undertaker and Mankind.
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