Top 10 Most Unnecessary Hell in a Cell Matches in WWE History
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Hell in a Cell (HIAC) matches have traditionally been reserved for the most intense and bitter rivalries in WWE, featuring epic battles that leave an indelible mark on the sport’s history. Iconic bouts, such as The Undertaker vs. Mankind, are celebrated for their brutality and storytelling. However, over the years, the stipulation has been applied more liberally, at times diluting the unique allure of the Cell by using it in feuds that didn’t demand such extreme storytelling. Here, we explore the top 10 most unnecessary Hell in a Cell matches that, while perhaps entertaining, did not quite justify the legendary stipulation.
10. Mankind vs. Kane (1998)
Taking place just before the infamous King of the Ring 1998, the HIAC match on an episode of Raw between Mankind and Kane was largely seen as a vehicle for further storylines involving The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The match had little build-up, quickly descending into chaos that saw Austin interfere under the ring. Rather than focusing on Mankind and Kane, the match primarily existed to advance other feuds, thus lacking the personal grudge or stakes typically associated with the Cell.
9. The Undertaker & Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Mankind & Kane (1998)
Also occurring on an episode of Raw that year, this tag team Hell in a Cell match was another chaotic setup rather than a grudge match. The bout was engineered to build drama ahead of the Fully Loaded PPV but didn’t feature the intense personal drama expected of a HIAC match. The convoluted nature of the match, featuring four iconic wrestlers, failed to capitalize on the structure’s storytelling capabilities and became an overcrowded spectacle.
8. The Undertaker vs. Big Boss Man (1999)
This match at WrestleMania XV remains infamous for its lackluster execution and confusing post-match hanging segment. It featured The Undertaker, who is synonymous with HIAC, against Big Boss Man in a poorly received contest. The lack of memorable spots and clear storyline progression resulted in a match remembered more for its bizarre finish than its contribution to either competitor’s career arcs.
7. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk (2009)
With very little build-up leading into their match at Hell in a Cell 2009, this pairing was more about situating Undertaker back in the title picture than resolving an intense rivalry. CM Punk had been the champion, but the story lacked a personal edge, using the Cell mainly to facilitate a title change. Several interference and storytelling gaps meant this HIAC lacked the grittiness or necessity the stipulation calls for.
6. CM Punk vs. Ryback (2012)
Set at a time when Ryback was an unstoppable force, this HIAC match seemed more designed to provide Punk with a title defense than to settle a heated feud. The story was rushed, with Ryback entering the match undefeated. The controversial finish, featuring a crooked referee, further undermined the match’s credibility as a HIAC fixture and did little to enhance Ryback’s or Punk’s storyline.
5. The Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon (2016)
Positioned as a dramatic family saga with high stakes, this match oddly placed Shane against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32 in a Hell in a Cell bout that was more spectacle than necessity. The inclusion of stipulations regarding control of Raw seemed misplaced within the Cell, diluting its dramatic intensity. The match was highlighted by Shane’s iconic leap off the Cell more than the feud’s narrative depth.
4. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman (2018)
The match at Hell in a Cell 2018 became infamous for its overbooked finish, involving interference from Brock Lesnar and an anticlimactic ending. While it was designed to showcase the power struggle between Reigns and Strowman, it eventually devolved into a chaotic scene that overshadowed the original rivalry’s intent, with the Cell underutilized for its dramatic impact.
3. Roman Reigns vs. Rey Mysterio (2021)
Originally slated for the following PPV, this match was brought to an episode of SmackDown with little build-up, happening abruptly under the HIAC stipulation. Though both performers delivered solid wrestling, the absence of a deeply rooted personal vendetta made the match seem like an unnecessary addition to the Hell in a Cell legacy, with a rivalry that could have concluded in a standard match.
2. Bobby Lashley vs. Xavier Woods (2021)
Taking place on Monday Night Raw, this match failed to capture the gravitas that typically accompanies a HIAC bout. While both Lashley and Woods delivered strong performances, the lack of a deeply entrenched rivalry or significant stakes led many to view it as more of a gimmick than a necessity within the Hell in a Cell framework. The match served more as a setup for future encounters between Lashley and Kofi Kingston, rather than a climactic battle deserving of the Cell.
1. Seth Rollins vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt (2019)
Perhaps the most controversial HIAC match of all time, this encounter was marred by a bewildering conclusion that defied fans’ expectations. With Rollins defending his Universal Title against The Fiend at the 2019 Hell in a Cell event, the match ended in a disqualification due to excessive violence—a decision that fundamentally contradicted the Cell’s no-rules premise. Despite the buildup and potential for a haunting showdown, the match’s forced finish drew widespread criticism, overshadowing the in-ring action and undermining its place in HIAC lore.
These matches illustrate how the Hell in a Cell stipulation, when not reserved for the most intense and personal feuds, can sometimes dilute its mystique and impact. While fans appreciate the spectacle and the inherent drama of the Cell, its overuse in less significant rivalries suggests a need to preserve the stipulation for contests that truly warrant its presence. By doing so, future Hell in a Cell matches can reclaim their status as climactic, must-see encounters that punctuate wrestling’s most compelling narratives.
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