Top 20 Hell In A Cell Matches In WWE History
20. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton — WWE Hell in a Cell 2013
The main event of Hell in a Cell 2013 decided the vacant WWE Championship, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee. Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton fought inside the Cell after weeks of conflict with Triple H and The Authority. Bryan’s speed and submission skill clashed with Orton’s calculated offense, creating a physical and tense bout. The finish came when Triple H interfered, causing chaos between Michaels and Bryan. Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music on Bryan, allowing Orton to score the pin and capture the title. The match earned 3.5 stars from Dave Meltzer and a 7.35 rating on Cagematch.net, praised for its intensity but criticized for the controversial ending that extended the Authority storyline.
19. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton— Hell in a Cell 2018
At the 2018 Hell in a Cell event, Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton tore into each other in one of the most disturbingly creative matches of the modern era. The Sportster awarded it an overall score of 7.75 out of 10, mirroring Dave Meltzer’s 3.75-star rating and Cagematch.net’s 7.91 score. What made this match stand out wasn’t just Hardy’s trademark daredevil style, but Orton’s cruel psychology, as he used a screwdriver to twist through Hardy’s earlobe in one of WWE’s most horrifying visuals. The pace occasionally dragged, but the slow build heightened the impact of Hardy’s climactic leap from the ceiling, which ended disastrously when Orton moved away, securing the win. It wasn’t a technical classic, but it captured the vicious, uncomfortable aura that the Cell was meant to evoke.
18. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley— Hell in a Cell 2020
Amid the pandemic’s empty arenas, Sasha Banks and Bayley crafted a masterpiece that scored 8 out of 10 from The Sportster, 4.25 stars from Meltzer, and 8.84 from Cagematch. Though no crowd was present, their storytelling did the heavy lifting. Every weapon used, chairs, kendo sticks, and ladders, had purpose. Bayley’s desperate villainy met Banks’ resourceful fury in one of the most inventive Cell matches ever. The lack of live reaction robbed it of atmosphere, but the in-ring creativity and emotional payoff cemented it as a highlight of the women’s division, closing a multi-year friendship turned rivalry with both brutality and brilliance.
17. Randy Orton vs. The Undertaker— Armageddon 2005
The rivalry between Randy Orton and The Undertaker culminated in a bloody Hell in a Cell war at Armageddon 2005 that earned a 7.75 overall rating from The Sportster, with Meltzer giving it 3.75 stars and Cagematch.net scoring it 7.94. Orton, already known as the “Legend Killer,” faced a relentless Deadman who dominated the pace with stiff chair shots, table crashes, and unrelenting punishment. Orton was bloodied early but fought back valiantly, proving he belonged among WWE’s elite. The match ran long, but its gritty realism and emotional intensity made it one of the most authentic depictions of generational conflict in the Cell’s history. Undertaker’s final Tombstone served as both vengeance and closure for their year-long feud.
16. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks— Hell in a Cell 2019
Becky Lynch’s defense against Sasha Banks in 2019 earned an 8.5 overall rating, four stars from Meltzer, and an 8.49 Cagematch score. Overshadowed by the disastrous Rollins–Fiend main event on the same card, this match quietly stole the show. It was a violent, creative affair, Lynch’s Bexploder onto a pile of chairs and Banks’ meteora from a ladder were standout moments. The match blended technical precision with emotional storytelling, using every inch of the Cell effectively. It elevated both women’s legacies and set a new bar for women’s wrestling in WWE.
15. The New day vs. The Usos— Hell in a Cell 2017
The Usos and The New Day redefined tag team brutality in 2017, scoring an impressive 8.75 from The Sportster, four stars from Meltzer, and 8.79 from Cagematch. Every inventive spot felt purposeful, from Kofi Kingston’s aerial attacks to Xavier Woods’ weapon-based offense. The fast pace never relented, and the chemistry between both teams turned what could’ve been chaos into structured storytelling. It was comedic in flashes, intense when needed, and ultimately one of the best tag team bouts ever fought under the Cell’s roof.
14. Seth Rollins vs. Edge— Crown Jewel 2021
In one of modern WWE’s best Cell matches, Rollins and Edge closed their feud with a psychological thriller that earned an 8.75 overall, 4.75 stars from Meltzer, and 8.86 from Cagematch. Every move had emotional weight, Edge, tapping into his darker instincts, matched Rollins’ arrogance and desperation. As weapons filled the ring and near-falls mounted, the story of obsession and redemption unfolded with cinematic precision. The finish, with Edge finally vanquishing Rollins, provided catharsis worthy of the rivalry’s buildup.
13. Triple H. vs. Chris Jericho— Judgment Day 2002
Their 2002 Hell in a Cell battle was a violent extension of Triple H and Chris Jericho’s bitter rivalry, earning The Sportster’s 7.75 rating, Meltzer’s 3.75 stars, and Cagematch’s strong 8.16 score. The match is remembered for its shocking conclusion atop the Cell, where Triple H executed one of the most dangerous Pedigrees ever delivered. Throughout the bout, both men bled heavily, using chairs and the steel walls to their advantage, embodying pure animosity. Despite a slower pace that sometimes quieted the crowd, the raw intensity and believable hatred carried it. It wasn’t just about spectacle, it was about ending a feud that had spiraled completely out of control.
12. Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins— Hell in a Cell 2022
Cody Rhodes wrestling through a torn pectoral muscle elevated his 2022 Cell match against Seth Rollins into instant legend. Scoring 9.5 overall, 5 stars from Meltzer, and 9.08 from Cagematch, it was the definition of courage. The grotesque bruising across Rhodes’ chest was visible proof of real pain, and both men built the match’s story around that injury. Rollins’ villainy complemented Rhodes’ heroism perfectly, turning every strike into a gasp-inducing moment. It wasn’t blood-soaked, but it was one of WWE’s most emotionally charged Hell in a Cell encounters ever.
11. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker— Hell in a Cell 2015
When Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker clashed again inside the Cell in 2015, fans witnessed a raw, old-school fight that earned an 8.25 overall score, matching Meltzer’s 4.25-star rating and Cagematch’s 8.25. Stripped of flash, this was a primal brawl, blood spilled, boards beneath the ring were exposed, and every hit carried purpose. Lesnar played the unstoppable monster while Undertaker leaned into desperation, relying on ring psychology and cunning rather than strength. The Cell became a weaponized arena, echoing the brutal tone of their 2002 classic but with a sense of finality that only veterans of their caliber could deliver.
10. Batista vs. The Undertaker— Survivor Series 2007
Their Hell in a Cell showdown at Survivor Series 2007 was a methodical but intense war, receiving an 8.5 rating from The Sportster, four stars from Meltzer, and an 8.32 Cagematch score. Batista and Undertaker’s chemistry was undeniable, blending raw power and storytelling precision. The slower tempo worked in its favor, letting every slam and punch land with weight. Batista’s crimson mask added to the atmosphere, while Edge’s post-match interference, attacking Undertaker and costing him the win, fueled one of WWE’s most compelling rivalries of the late 2000s. It was violence laced with story, and it delivered both.
9. Six-Man Hell in a Cell — Armageddon 2000
Armageddon 2000 featured the most star-studded Cell match ever, with Kurt Angle defending the WWE Championship against The Rock, Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Triple H, and Rikishi. The Sportster ranked it at 8.5, Meltzer gave 4.5 stars, and Cagematch rated it 8.63. The bout was chaotic from start to finish, steel steps, car wrecks, and finishers flying in all directions. The most memorable moment came when Undertaker chokeslammed Rikishi off the Cell into a truck bed. Despite the cluttered format, the pacing ensured there was never a dull moment. It was the Attitude Era at its loudest, wildest, and most star-powered.
8. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker— No Mercy 2002
Their first Hell in a Cell encounter in 2002 remains a violent masterpiece, earning 8.75 overall, four stars from Meltzer, and a staggering 8.96 from Cagematch. Lesnar targeted Undertaker’s injured hand with surgical precision, crafting a match as barbaric as it was strategic. The younger Lesnar’s dominance felt shocking, as he used his athleticism and ferocity to dismantle the Deadman completely. By the end, a bloodied Undertaker put over the rising monster clean, marking Lesnar’s arrival as WWE’s unstoppable force.
7. The Undertaker vs. Edge— SummerSlam 2008
At SummerSlam 2008, The Undertaker and Edge proved the PG era could still produce violent magic, earning a 9.25 rating, 4.5 stars from Meltzer, and 9.21 from Cagematch. Tables, ladders, and chairs littered the ring as both men weaponized their rivalry. The psychology was airtight, balancing physicality with storytelling. Undertaker’s post-match “sending Edge to hell” finale added a haunting exclamation mark to one of the most complete Cell matches ever produced.
6. Batista vs. Triple H— Vengeance 2005
Batista’s final showdown with Triple H inside the Cell at Vengeance 2005 was pure brutality. It earned a 9.0 rating from The Sportster, 4.5 stars from Meltzer, and a 9.17 from Cagematch. Their long feud reached its violent end here, with both men shedding blood and using the Cell as a living weapon. Sledgehammers, barbed wire, and unfiltered rage defined the tone. Batista’s victory symbolized the end of Triple H’s “Reign of Terror,” passing the torch to WWE’s next dominant force.
5. CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre— Bad Blood 2024
Modern WWE rarely delivers blood-soaked feuds, but CM Punk and Drew McIntyre’s 2024 clash was a throwback to the structure’s most violent roots. With The Sportster rating it 9.5, Meltzer awarding a full 5 stars, and Cagematch ranking it 9.44, this match felt like a lost Attitude Era gem. The storytelling was layered with genuine animosity built over months, and both men bled heavily as they brutalized each other. It was the perfect finale to one of WWE’s fiercest rivalries in years, reminding fans why the Cell exists, to end hatred.
4. Triple H. vs. Cactus Jack— No Way Out 2000
Triple H’s Hell in a Cell war with Cactus Jack was wrestling violence at its storytelling peak, scoring 9.5 overall, 4.5 stars from Meltzer, and 9.31 from Cagematch. With the WWE title and Foley’s career on the line, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. They weaponized the Cell to its fullest, culminating in Foley’s insane fall through the roof. It combined emotion, brutality, and psychology better than almost any match of its kind.
3. The Undertaker vs. Mankind— King of the Ring 1998
One of wrestling’s most infamous matches, Undertaker vs. Mankind at King of the Ring 1998, received a 9.0 rating, 4.5 stars from Meltzer, and a 9.21 from Cagematch. This wasn’t about technical wrestling, it was chaos incarnate. Mankind’s plunge from the Cell to the announce table and his chokeslam through the roof became eternal images of wrestling insanity. The brutality and sheer recklessness defined a generation of fans’ memories. Despite its messiness, the raw emotion and danger made it unforgettable.
2. The Undertaker vs. Triple H— WrestleMania 28
Dubbed the “End of an Era,” this WrestleMania 28 epic earned a 9.75 rating, 4.75 stars from Meltzer, and 9.21 from Cagematch. The Undertaker’s Streak was on the line, and Triple H threw everything at him in a match that felt more like a Shakespearean tragedy than a wrestling bout. The use of the Cell was minimal, but the storytelling was masterful. The emotional near-fall after the Sweet Chin Music–Pedigree combo remains one of WWE’s greatest moments. When it ended, all three men walked out together, symbolizing an era closing in silence.
1. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels— Bad Blood 1997
The original Hell in a Cell remains untouchable. The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels’ classic at Bad Blood 1997 set the standard, earning a 9.75 overall rating, a perfect 5 stars from Meltzer, and a near-perfect 9.53 from Cagematch. It had everything, blood, drama, and Kane’s historic debut. Michaels’ desperate survival against The Undertaker’s merciless assault, the unforgettable table crash, and the story of vengeance created a blueprint for every Cell match that followed. Even after decades, it stands as WWE’s definitive masterpiece of violence and storytelling.
