Looking back at the best Hell in a Cell moments in WWE history - ESPN

In professional wrestling, great matches come and go, but there are certain moments within those matches that transcend and truly stand the test of time. Over the years, the WWE has devised a number of unique, yet barbaric matches in an effort to crank up the entertainment value and offer fans and performers a platform to create some of these special moments; the Elimination Chamber, TLC and even rarities like inferno matches come to mind.

But there is one type of match in particular that, since its conception 20 years ago, that has earned the reputation of consistently being the most merciless, and not coincidentally, a creator of many memorable moments: Hell in a Cell.

Bodies have been thrown off, into and through the cell, blood has poured and careers have both been made and undeniably cut shorter. Though not all the matches have been standouts — I'm looking at you, WrestleMania 15 — they have all illustrated a level of savagery that brings to life a feeling of excitement that few other match formats can provide.

Stated simply, Hell in a Cell matches have produced more memorable moments than any other match stipulation in history. Let's look back at a few of the greatest examples.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on Oct 19, 2020. It was updated on July 27, 2026.

The Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels at Bad Blood '97 was full of firsts. To start, it was the first ever Hell in a Cell match. However, as good as the innovative bloodbath was, it was a moment near the bout's conclusion that would be replayed over and over for years to come.

Months prior to the event, Undertaker's longtime manager, Paul Bearer revealed that a storyline fire at a funeral home that killed The