Five Hell in a Cell matches that WWE fans want to forget

WWE doesn’t want you to remember these instances

The stature of a Hell in a Cell match type is quite high in WWE, as it is used sparingly on rare occasions to settle long-drawn rivalries. Ever since its inception in 1997, the fearful steel structure has seen the light of the day on 53 different occasions in the wrestling powerhouse.

While the stipulation has largely delivered, there have been a few instances, that haven’t exactly made WWE proud. Join us now as we look at the top five matches that WWE wants fans to forget regarding the Hell in a Cell.

5. Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair (2016)

The women’s revolution of 2016 is an important milestone in the storied history of WWE. Female superstars were finally given the recognition that they had deserved all along. The onus was put on two of the most talented women grapplers to knock it out of the park, as Charlotte Flair took on Sasha Banks in a Hell in a Cell match in the titular event in 2016.

The fact that the title bout was the first-ever all-woman main event for a PLE was a massive deal. However, the occasion clearly got to both the supreme in-ring competitors as they failed to live up to the huge expectations the said encounter promised.

Flair and Banks have put masterclasses the many times they came face to face in the squared circle, but their monumental main event clash was marred with a lack of chemistry. As a result, the Stamford-based promotion would like nothing more, but for the fans to forget about this match’s existence.

4. Seth Rollins vs Bray Wyatt (2019)

It’s no secret that WWE had a torrid time booking The Fiend’s matches, as the character was portrayed as invincible. Hence, when the demonic grappler was pitted against Seth Rollins at the 2019 Hell in a Cell PLE, speculations were rife regarding the outcome of the match.

Turns out, the wrestling juggernaut was as clueless about the encounter’s result as anyone. The oddly booked match-up was a finisher fest from the get-go as Rollins performed his finisher the Curb-stomp on The Fiend countless times, but the eerie performer no-sold the maneuver every time. The Visionary, who was a babyface at the time resorted to heel tactics as he bludgeoned Bray Wyatt with a sledgehammer.

To make matters worse, the referee asked for the bell to be rung, ending the clash abruptly. A Hell in a Cell match is built around the fact that there is no disqualification once the competitors are inside the steel structure. WWE’s blatant disregard of its own rules is nothing new, but this was a bit too much for the fans to digest. Hence, the company does not want anything to do with the forgettable match.

3. Hell in Cell matches held on RAW & SmackDown

The grandeur and the epic scale of a Hell in a Cell match warrant that it occurs only a select few times, to maintain its sanctity. With this in mind, it would be a cardinal sin to have this special stipulation anywhere outside a major PLE.

However, it would be surprising for many to learn that WWE has organized cell matches on TV. It’s not a one-off occurrence either, as the dreaded steel structure has been a feature on Monday Night RAW thrice and SmackDown! once.

Granted, the two early instances of the 20-foot structure showing up on the red brand happened in 1998, when the Stamford-based promotion couldn’t get enough of the match type as it was new. However, two Hell in Cell matches also took place on TV in 2021, one between Bobby Lashley and Xavier Woods on RAW and the other between Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio on SmackDown! The global wrestling phenomenon is unlikely to repeat this grave error again and wouldn’t want the fans to remember these four instances.

2. CM Punk vs Ryback for two years straight (2012, 2013)

A Hell in a Cell match has a sense of finality about it. That is precisely the reason why this match type is so rare in WWE. However, the promotion tends to sometimes overdo things. When CM Punk defended his WWE title against Ryback at the 2012 Hell in a Cell event, the unpredictability aspect of the two men meeting inside the cell for the first time built intrigue.

But when the company again decided to put the adversaries inside the confines of the steel structure in the same event in 2013, it failed to muster any excitement. Granted, this second encounter also featured Paul Heyman as a teammate of Ryback, but he did not have a major role in the match, other than becoming Punk’s punching bag, once the bout ended.

WWE wasn’t thinking straight when it decided to rinse and repeat the same formula, the second year running. It would be in the interest of the company to keep this brain-fade booking choice forgotten.

1. Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman (2018)

Another one from the school of questionable booking choices, this battle between the two heavyweights, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman also ended in a no-contest. The match had created quite the buzz when it was announced for the 2018 Hell in a Cell PLE with Mick Foley as the special guest referee, no less. Brock Lesnar wreaked havoc during the main event clash, as he broke the cell door and pummelled both Reigns and Strowman to knock them unconscious. In a surprising move, Foley decided to call for the bell and ended the match in a no-contest. This awkward decision was widely criticized as a Hell in a Cell match is usually a no-DQ bout.

Apart from such a handful of bizarre booking choices, the Hell in a Cell match has been a timeless cash cow for WWE. The steel structure has seen some of the most iconic rivalries being settled within its confines. The Stamford-based promotion likes to focus on the incredible highs of these epic battles rather than reminiscing on some of its biggest mistakes.

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