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Hell in a Cell is a match that has ended careers of superstars over the years. Easily, it is one of the most brutal matches in the history of professional wrestling. However, there are a few wrestlers, who have entered the cell and have managed to conquer it against all odds.
WWE Hell in a Cell is two weeks away and to get into the mood of the show, we have compiled a list of top performers in the Hell in a Cell matches.
Matches: 4, Wins: 2
In at number 5, is the youngest superstar on this list, Randy Orton. The Viper has participated in four Hell in a Cell matches, winning half of them.
Randy Orton’s first Hell in a Cell match was against the Undertaker at Armageddon 2005. This match was a result of a long standing see-saw rivalry between the two, which was finally put to rest when Undertaker executed the Viper inside the cell.
Randy Orton’s second Hell in a Cell match was against John Cena at the first ever Hell in a Cell PPV. Orton was seen at his demonic best in the match as he demolished Cena, limb-by-limb, to win the WWE Championship.
Following year, Randy Orton defeated the Celtic Warrior Sheamus inside the cell to retain his WWE Championship. The match itself, was however, a dull one as compared to Viper’s previous appearances inside the cell. Nonetheless, whenever one triumphs inside the cell, it always counts.
Orton’s last Hell in a Cell appearance ended in a losing cause against the World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry, at the 2011 Hell in a Cell PPV. Again, this match was organised to make up the numbers and was not able to create the hype of yesteryears.
However, the voices in my head tell me that the Viper is not done with the cell. Not yet.
Mick Foley
Matches: 4, Wins: 0
Mick Foley – Revolutionizing brutality
WWE legend Mick Foley, or Mankind, or Dude Love, or whatever, has never won a Hell in a Cell match in his career. Shocked?
After all the visual spectacles he has provided us with, inside, rather outside the cell, the WWE legend is yet to triumph inside the cell.
Foley, first step foot inside the cell in a Tag Team match against the Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1998. The match ended in a no contest.
It was his second match that made the headlines around the globe, when, against the Undertaker, he was thrown from the top of the cell on to the announce table. Surprisingly, he decided to continue the match and took another fall, this time through the cell. Even though Undertaker won the match, it was Mick Foley (or Mankind), who was applauded.
His third Hell in a Cell match was against Kane in 1998 as well, which was a rather drab affair as compared to the previous one and ended in a no contest.
His last Hell in a Cell match was scheduled in 2000, when he faced Triple H in a career match. Had Cactus Jack, or Mick Foley, lost, he would have been forced to retire as an active wrestler from the roster.
And as usual, lost he did. However, this time around, the match was nothing short of epic.
So, why was he placed above Orton in this list despite never having won a match? Simply, because he defined the word brutality inside the cell. Also, he is the only man to be involved in the brutal match thrice in one calendar year.
Shawn Michaels
Matches: 4, Wins: 3
Shawn Michaels – A man who gave it all… And more
At number 3, comes in the ‘Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels. The man was involved in the first ever Hell in a Cell match, against the Undertaker, and he won it. Thanks to an external source, but nonetheless, a win is a win, especially when it is inside the cell.
HBK’s second Hell in a Cell match did not come till after his return from a serious back injury. In 2004, he faced his real-life best friend, Triple H at the Bad Blood PPV inside the cell. Shawn Michaels lost the match, which is his only loss inside the cell till date.
HBK’s next two matches inside the cell were tag team matches, in which he teamed up with Triple H and defeated Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon and Big Show, and Legacy.
Michaels is one of the best workers in the WWE, and he always brought his A-game to the cell. No one can forget the image of a bloodied Michaels standing tall at the end of these matches. He also boasts the best win-to-participation ratio inside the cell.
Shawn Michaels, since, has stepped inside one cell as the referee and will be stepping inside the cell yet again within two weeks’ time. This love affair is far from over.
Triple H
Matches: 9, Wins: 6
Triple H – King of the cell?
Triple H. The current king of WWE is also the king of Hell in a Cell matches. He has participated in nine matches and has won an astonishing six out of them.
Triple H started his Hell in a Cell career against Cactus Jack in 2000 and was also a part of the six-man Armageddon Hell in a Cell match later that year.
After his loss at the Armageddon Hell in a Cell match, Triple H went on a winning streak, winning three consecutive Hell in a Cell matches against the likes of Chris Jericho, Kevin Nash and Shawn Michaels, before he lost to Batista in 2005.
Triple H, then, won two more Hell in a Cell matches with Shawn Michaels, as a part of D Generation X in 2006 and 2009, respectively.
His last Hell in a Cell appearance was in 2012, at WrestleMania, against the Undertaker with Shawn Michaels acting as the special guest referee. The match, which was billed as ‘End of an era’ match, was one of the best matches to have taken place inside the cell. It was a perfect mixture of brutality, blood and emotions. It is safe to say that WWE travelled back to the ‘Attitude Era’ in order to get the script of this match.
Triple H, over the years, has been one of the best performers inside the ring and all of his abilities have escalated whenever he step foot inside the cell. That says a lot about the ‘King of the kings.’
Matches: 12, Wins: 6
The Undertaker – Redefining ‘Hell’
The Undertaker takes the top spot on this list. As if anyone ever doubted that.
The Deadman has been involved in 12 Hell in a Cell matches and has won six out of them, same as Triple H.
He has been there ever since this match was created, as he participated in the first ever Hell in a Cell match against Shawn Michaels, which also saw the debut of his on-screen brother Kane.
Since then, the Phenom has been setting standards for Hell in a Cell matches, dishing out top performances, one after the other. He also participated in the Armageddon Hell in a Cell match, where he threw Rikishi off the roof of the cell.
Taker has also defeated the likes of Mankind, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Edge and Triple H inside the cell, proving to be the top dog that he is.
Kane, Batista and Brock Lesnar are the only superstars to have pinned or beaten the Deadman inside the cell.
The Undertaker possesses a legacy which is nearly impossible to overtake for any other superstar in WWE. And even if someone manages to do it, from where will he get the aura that only the Deadman possesses.
The legend, in every right of the word, from Death Valley is the best superstar to ever step inside the ring, let alone the cell. And he comes back to remind us time and again.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
