Editing Hell in a Cell

{{short description|Professional wrestling match type}}
{{about|1=the professional wrestling match|2=the pay-per-view event named after this match|3=WWE Hell in a Cell}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
[[File:Hell in a Cell 03.jpg|thumb|300px|The Hell in a Cell structure at the [[Hell in a Cell (2017)|Hell in a Cell]] event in October 2017]]
'''Hell in a Cell''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[professional wrestling match types|steel cage-based match]] which originated in 1997 in the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now [[WWE]]). It features a large cell structure, a four-sided [[cuboid]] made from open-weave steel mesh [[chain-link fencing]] which encloses the [[wrestling ring|ring]] and ringside area. Unlike the [[steel cage match]], the only way to get out of the Hell in a Cell without damaging the Cell's structure is through its door—but this door is locked by thick chains and a padlock. Only an in-ring [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinfall]] or [[Submission (combat sport)|submission]] will ordinarily result in a win (although [[Triple H]] pinned [[Chris Jericho]] atop the cell to win the Hell in a Cell match at [[Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]] in May 2002) and there are no disqualifications. The gimmick was strongly associated with [[The Undertaker]] during his career with WWF/WWE, including the inaugural match with [[Shawn Michaels]] and a [[Mankind vs. The Undertaker|brutal encounter]] with [[Mick Foley]] in his Mankind persona. Both matches featured spectacular falls from the top of the cage which has since become a signature of the match. A Hell in a Cell match is often the most prestigious type of match in the WWE, often saved for the end of a feud that is usually the most popular feud over a months-long period.

The original Cell was {{convert|16|ft|m|abbr=on}} high and weighed over two tons, but has since been replaced by a more robust version of {{convert|20|ft|m|abbr=on}} and five tons. The first match took place at [[WWE Bad Blood|Bad Blood]] In Your House in October 1997 and a total of 53 Hell in a Cell matches have since occurred. The match type spawned its own [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|pay-per-view event]] in 2009, [[WWE Hell in a Cell]], after which the event was held annually in October, although once in September and twice in June. This event generally featured one to three Hell in a Cell matches on the same card, with the main event always contested as a Hell in a Cell match. Following Triple H's appointment as WWE [[Chief Content Officer]] in August 2022, the Hell in a Cell annual event was discontinued alongside other gimmick PPVs except for [[WWE Money in the Bank]], [[Royal Rumble]], [[Survivor Series]], and [[WWE Elimination Chamber]].

==History==
The Hell in a Cell match was first introduced at [[Badd Blood: In Your House|Badd Blood]] on Sunday October 5, 1997, at the Kiel Center, now known as [[Enterprise Center]], in [[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]]. The background to the inaugural match was built on [[The Undertaker]]'s loss to [[Bret Hart]] two months prior at [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam]] in a [[WWF Championship]] match which [[Shawn Michaels]] was assigned to referee. Michaels had deliberately interjected himself in the match and cost The Undertaker a win which resulted in a match between the two at [[Ground Zero: In Your House|In Your House: Ground Zero]]. That match was ruled a no-contest due to the two bypassing and attacking the officials. As a climactic end to the feud, their following bout was originally scheduled to be held as a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]]. However,  a larger roofed structure was constructed instead of a normal cage enclosing only the ring, enclosing not only the ring but also the surrounding ringside area. The wider space between the ring apron and the cell walls allowed for entering and exiting the ring and for cameras to be situated at ringside. At Badd Blood, Michaels defeated The Undertaker (with interference from The Undertaker's debuting half-brother [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]), becoming the number-one contender to the WWF Championship at the [[Montreal Screwjob|1997 Survivor Series]]. The original concept for the Hell in a Cell structure was created by [[Jim Cornette]]. He described his concept as a combination of a cage surrounding the majority of the ringside area (the design, he stated, was popular in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] wrestling promotions) and the cage used in both the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] and [[World Championship Wrestling]] for their [[WarGames match|WarGames]] matches (which had a top on the cage).<ref name="cornyhellcell">{{cite web|url=http://kayfabecommentaries.com/DVD_TL_1997.html|title=Timeline History of WWE 1997|publisher=Kayfabe Commentaries|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref> On an October 2015 video podcast, [[Vince Russo]] said Cornette probably did come up with the concept, but the name Hell in a Cell came from him.<ref name="russohellcell">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73iUbSJAvYw&t=4m21s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/73iUbSJAvYw |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Vince Russo's Nuclear Heat #4: WWE Hell In A Cell Origins, Kane's History, More – Oct 23, 2015|publisher=YouTube|access-date=October 23, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> WWE credits the match as being based on the [[Last Battle of Atlanta]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/last-battle-of-atlanta-rich-sawyer|title=Exclusive: How the rarest match in wrestling history was discovered|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref>

[[Mankind vs. The Undertaker|The 1998 Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind]] remains one of the most iconic matches of all time, with its level of extreme violence and dangerous spots, which led to Mankind getting legitimately knocked unconscious at the end of the match and suffering multiple injuries towards the end of the match. Despite the match's popularity, it remains controversial due to the wrestler's lack of safety. In 2011, this incident was named the number one "[[wikt:OMG|OMG]]!" incident in WWE history. Journalist [[Michael Landsberg]] called it "maybe the most famous match ever."<ref>{{Cite episode|title=The Undertaker interview|series=[[Off the Record with Michael Landsberg|Off the Record]]|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|date=March 29, 2002|minutes=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=OMG! – The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History DVD |publisher=[[WWE| WWE Inc]] |year=2011 }}</ref> The first title defense in Hell in a Cell was at [[No Way Out (2000)|No Way Out]] in February 2000 with [[Triple H]] defending the WWF Championship against [[Mick Foley|Cactus Jack]]. The first title change inside Hell in a Cell was in October 2009, when The Undertaker won the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] from [[CM Punk]]. The longest Hell in a Cell match was held at [[WWE Bad Blood (2004)|Bad Blood]] in June 2004 between Triple H and Shawn Michaels at over 47 minutes. The Undertaker has been involved in the most Hell in a Cell matches, having competed in fourteen and having the most victories at eight. All Hell in a Cell matches have been broadcast live on pay-per-view except for five matches, three of which were televised on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw Is War]]'', later ''Monday Night Raw'', with two in 1998 and one in 2021 and one on ''[[WWE SmackDown|Friday Night SmackDown]]'' also in 2021. The Hell in a Cell match on the June 15 episode of ''Raw Is War'' showcasing [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] and The Undertaker against Kane and [[Mankind (wrestler)|Mankind]], ended with Austin and Undertaker winning after ''Raw Is War'' went off the air. On the August 24 episode of ''Raw Is War'', Mankind fought Kane (his tag team partner at the time) in a Hell in a Cell match. This match went to a no-contest after Austin interfered and assaulted Kane. On the June 18, 2021, episode of ''Friday Night SmackDown'', the first televised title match contested inside the structure took place between [[Roman Reigns]] and [[Rey Mysterio]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]] which saw Reigns retain the title via submission. Three days later on the June 21, 2021, episode of ''Monday Night Raw'', [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] [[Bobby Lashley]] faced [[Xavier Woods]] in a non-title Hell in a Cell match which saw Lashley win via submission. These matches, along with the two matches at the [[Hell in a Cell (2021)|Hell in a Cell event]], were held in a span of 4 days, with Lashley being the only wrestler to have competed in Hell in a Cell matches on back-to-back days. Only one Hell in a Cell match was not televised, the match took place on the September 26 episode of ''Raw'' in 2011 as a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#dark match|dark match]] where [[John Cena]] retained the WWE Championship in a five-way match against [[Alberto Del Rio]], [[Jake Hager|Jack Swagger]], [[Dolph Ziggler]], and CM Punk in a match that lasted only 5 minutes, making it the shortest Hell in a Cell match. Hell in a Cell matches have appeared at WWF/WWE's flagship event [[WrestleMania]] four times ([[WrestleMania XV|XV]], [[WrestleMania XXVIII|XXVIII]], [[Wrestlemania 32|32]], and [[WrestleMania 39|39]]). In 2009, WWE debuted its first pay-per-view event to be named [[WWE Hell in a Cell|Hell in a Cell]].

In 2016, [[Charlotte Flair]] and [[Sasha Banks]] became the first women to step inside the Hell in a Cell match at [[Hell in a Cell (2016)|Hell in a Cell]] in October 2016 when Banks defended the [[WWE Raw Women's Championship|Raw Women's Championship]] against Flair, who won the match.

Ahead of [[Hell in a Cell (2018)|Hell in a Cell]] in September 2018, the structure went through a significant overhaul. The fully crimson-red structure is smaller, with the wires being less pliable, making the structure stronger, yet lighter. Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy faced off against each other in the first crimson cell, a match which Orton won.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/hell-in-a-cell-new-look|title=Hell in a Cell structure gets a fiery red makeover|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=September 17, 2018}}</ref> The crimson cell would be swapped out for the standard gray one come [[WrestleMania 39]] in 2023.

===Kennel from Hell match/Other appearances and variations===
The structure itself has made four additional appearances, although WWE does not consider them to be Hell in a Cell matches. During the first-ever First Blood match which was between [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] at [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]] in June 1998, the cell used earlier in the night was lowered. The second featured [[Big Boss Man (wrestler)|Big Boss Man]] challenging [[Al Snow]] for the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] in a [[Animals in professional wrestling|Kennel from Hell match]] at [[Unforgiven (1999)|Unforgiven]] in September 1999. The match consisted of a standard [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage]] with the cell placed atop it and the object was to escape from both the cage and cell while trying to avoid guard dogs that were placed between the ring and cell door. Snow, the first competitor to escape the steel cage and the cell, was declared the winner. The third time was on September 28, 2009, episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' during a gauntlet match with [[John Cena]] against [[Chris Jericho]], [[Big Show]] and [[Randy Orton]]. The cell was lowered after Cena defeated Jericho and Big Show by disqualification when Orton's turn came. Cena ordered the cell to be lowered and then brawled Orton on top of the structure. The match was declared a no-contest. The fourth time was on October 20, 2014, episode of ''Raw'' when the Hell in a Cell structure was lowered on orders from [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] during a handicap street fight involving Kane, Orton, and [[Seth Rollins]] against Cena and [[Dean Ambrose]] which Kane, Orton, and Rollins won. At [[Hell in a Cell (2017)|Hell in a Cell]] in October 2017, [[Shane McMahon]] and [[Kevin Owens]] competed in a Hell in a Cell match billed as the first under [[Professional wrestling match types#Falls Count Anywhere match|Falls Count Anywhere]] rules (despite the Hell in a Cell previously having this stipulation in its rules by default). In October 2020, [[Roman Reigns]] and [[Jey Uso]] competed in the first-ever Hell in a Cell match contested under an [["I quit" match|"I quit"]] stupulation.

==Reception==
The first Hell in a Cell match in 1997 between [[The Undertaker]] and [[Shawn Michaels]] was highly acclaimed, with [[Dave Meltzer]] [[List of professional wrestling matches rated 5 or more stars by Dave Meltzer|giving it 5 stars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/chrisharrington/mookieghana-prowrestlingstatistics/wwf_wwe_ppvs_1985_2013_wo_star_ratings#TOC-WWF-In-Your-House-18:-Badd-Blood |title=Dave Meltzer Star Ratings for WWF/WWE PPVs 1985–2013 |author=Harrington, Chris |website=Indeedwrestling.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129031643/https://sites.google.com/site/chrisharrington/mookieghana-prowrestlingstatistics/wwf_wwe_ppvs_1985_2013_wo_star_ratings |archive-date=2016-01-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As the match became more common, critics claimed that the concept was being overused, particularly during the 2010s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=140359 |title = USING TALENTS UP TOO QUICKLY, ANOTHER WAY TO BOOK RETRIBUTION, MY FAVORITE GIMMICK MATCH AND MORE {{!}} PWInsider.com}}</ref> Former WWE producer [[Arn Anderson]] said in 2020 that too many feuds had culminated in a Hell in a Cell match despite not justifying a match of that caliber.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arn Anderson says that WWE are overusing Hell In A Cell matches|date=October 7, 2020|website=Sportskeeda|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-arn-anderson-reveals-wwe-overusing-hell-in-a-cell-matches|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> In 2024, prior to a Hell in a Cell match against [[Drew McIntyre]], [[CM Punk]] stated that he hoped to revitalize the match's brutality and quality, saying, "I don't want to have a cell that needs a match. I want to have a match that needs the cell."<ref>{{cite web|first=Cain A.|last=Knight|title=CM Punk is trying to change WWE’s flawed approach to the Hell in a Cell match|date=October 3, 2024|website=Cageside Seats|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/10/3/24261216/cm-punk-explains-hell-in-a-cell-logic-drew-mcintyre-feud-bad-blood-story-brutal-end-restore-gimmick|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref>

Heavy criticism was directed at the finish of the [[Hell in a Cell (2019)|2019]] match between [[Seth Rollins]] and [[Bray Wyatt|"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]] after it became the first Hell in a Cell match to end via referee stoppage.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE 2019 Hell In A Cell: Rollins-Fiend a no contest, Flair becomes 10-time champ|date=October 6, 2019|website=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/27775550/2019-wwe-hell-cell-live-results-updates-grades-ratings|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Alfred|last=Konuwa|title=WWE Hell In A Cell 2019 Results: Fans Chant ‘AEW,’ ‘Refunds’ For Fiend Vs. Seth Rollins Main Event|date=October 7, 2019|website=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2019/10/07/wwe-hell-in-a-cell-2019-results-fans-chant-aew-refunds-for-fiend-vs-seth-rollins-main-event/|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Carl|last=Bennett|title=WWE has killled one of it’s{{sup|[sic]}} greatest creations – Hell in a Cell is dead|date=October 7, 2019|website=talkSPORT|url=https://talksport.com/wrestling/612443/wwe-hell-in-a-cell/|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref>

Hell in a Cell matches have been less frequent in the 2020s, particularly since the discontinuation of the [[WWE Hell in a Cell|Hell in a Cell event]]. The event was last held in [[Hell in a Cell (2022)|2022]], where Rollins and [[Cody Rhodes]] competed in the second Hell in a Cell match to be rated 5 stars by Meltzer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwnerd.com/dave-melter-star-ratings-wwe-hell-in-a-cell-2022/|title=Dave Melter Star Ratings – WWE Hell in a Cell 2022|work=IWNerd|access-date=February 15, 2023|date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719091404/https://www.iwnerd.com/dave-melter-star-ratings-wwe-hell-in-a-cell-2022/|archive-date=July 19, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> This feat was also achieved by the Punk–McIntyre match at [[WWE Bad Blood (2024)|Bad Blood 2024]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/dave-meltzer-ratings-wwe-bad-blood-2024/|title=Dave Meltzer Match Ratings WWE Bad Blood 2024|date=October 11, 2024|last=Harold|first=James|work=TJR Wrestling|access-date=October 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106175653/https://tjrwrestling.net/news/dave-meltzer-ratings-wwe-bad-blood-2024/|archive-date=November 6, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

==List of Hell in a Cell matches==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Number !! Match !! Stipulations !! Event !! Date !! Venue !! Location !! Length
|-
|align=center|1
|[[Shawn Michaels]] defeated [[The Undertaker]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] to determine the number one contender for the [[WWF Championship]] at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]]}}
|[[Badd Blood: In Your House]]
|October 5, 1997
|[[Kiel Center]]
|[[St. Louis, Missouri]]
|30:00
|-
|align=center|2
|[[The Undertaker]] and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] defeated [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]
|{{small|[[Tornado tag team match]]}}
|''[[WWE Raw|Raw Is War]]''
|June 15, 1998
|[[Freeman Coliseum]]
|[[San Antonio]], Texas
|10:38
|-
|align=center|[[Mankind vs. The Undertaker|3]]
|[[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Mick Foley|Mankind]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]]
|June 28, 1998
|[[Pittsburgh Civic Arena]]
|[[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania
|17:10
|-
|align=center|4
|[[Mick Foley|Mankind]] vs. [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] ended in a no contest
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|''[[WWE Raw|Raw Is War]]''
|August 24, 1998
|[[Corestates Center]]
||[[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania
|7:41
|-
|align=center|5
|[[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Big Boss Man (wrestler)|Big Boss Man]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[WrestleMania XV]]
|March 28, 1999
|[[First Union Center]]
||[[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania
|9:48
|-
|align=center|6
|[[Triple H]] (c) defeated [[Mick Foley|Cactus Jack]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWF Championship]]<br>Since Cactus Jack lost, he had to retire as an active wrestler in the WWF}}
|[[No Way Out (2000)|No Way Out]]
|February 27, 2000
|[[Hartford Civic Center]]
|[[Hartford, Connecticut]]
|23:57
|-
|align=center|7
|[[Kurt Angle]] (c) defeated [[The Undertaker]], [[Triple H]], [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]], and [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]
|{{small|[[Six-man match]] for the [[WWF Championship]]}}
|[[Armageddon (2000)|Armageddon]]
|December 10, 2000
|[[Legacy Arena|Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena]]
|[[Birmingham, Alabama]]
|32:12
|-
|align=center|8
|[[Triple H]] defeated [[Chris Jericho]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]]
|May 19, 2002
|[[Gaylord Entertainment Center]]
|[[Nashville, Tennessee]]
|24:06
|-
|align=center|9
|[[Brock Lesnar]] (c) defeated [[The Undertaker]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|[[No Mercy (2002)|No Mercy]]
|October 20, 2002
|[[Alltel Arena]]
|style="white-space:nowrap;"|[[North Little Rock, Arkansas]]
|27:18
|-
|align=center|10
|[[Triple H]] (c) defeated [[Kevin Nash]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] with [[Mick Foley]] as the [[special guest referee]]}}
|[[WWE Bad Blood (2003)|Bad Blood]]
|June 15, 2003
|[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Compaq Center]]
|[[Houston]], Texas
|21:01
|-
|align=center|11
|[[Triple H]] defeated [[Shawn Michaels]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[WWE Bad Blood (2004)|Bad Blood]]
|June 13, 2004
|[[Nationwide Arena]]
|[[Columbus, Ohio]]
|47:26
|-
|align=center|12
|[[Dave Bautista|Batista]] (c) defeated [[Triple H]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
|[[Vengeance (2005)|Vengeance]]
|June 26, 2005
|[[Thomas & Mack Center]]
|[[Paradise, Nevada]]
|26:54
|-
|align=center|13
|[[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Randy Orton]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[Armageddon (2005)|Armageddon]]
|December 18, 2005
|[[Dunkin' Donuts Center]]
|[[Providence, Rhode Island]]
|30:31
|-
|align=center|14
|[[D-Generation X]] ([[Triple H]] and [[Shawn Michaels]]) defeated [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]], [[Shane McMahon]] and [[Big Show]]
|{{small|Two-on-three [[handicap match]]<br>This also marked the debut of the amplified version of the cell}}
|[[Unforgiven (2006)|Unforgiven]]
|style="white-space:nowrap;"|September 17, 2006
|[[Air Canada Centre]]
|[[Toronto]], Canada
|25:04
|-
|align=center|15
|[[Dave Bautista|Batista]] (c) defeated [[The Undertaker]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
|[[Survivor Series (2007)|Survivor Series]]
|November 18, 2007
|[[American Airlines Arena]]
|Miami, Florida
|21:24
|-
|align=center|16
|[[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[SummerSlam (2008)|SummerSlam]]
|August 17, 2008
|[[Conseco Fieldhouse]]
|[[Indianapolis]], Indiana
|26:43
|-
|align=center|17
|[[The Undertaker]] defeated [[CM Punk]] (c)
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
|rowspan=3|[[Hell in a Cell (2009)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=3|October 4, 2009
|rowspan=3|[[Prudential Center]]
|rowspan=3|[[Newark, New Jersey]]
|10:24
|-
|align=center|18
|[[Randy Orton]] defeated [[John Cena]] (c)
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|21:24
|-
|align=center|19
|[[D-Generation X]] ([[Triple H]] and [[Shawn Michaels]]) defeated [[The Legacy (professional wrestling)|The Legacy]] ([[Cody Rhodes]] and [[Ted DiBiase Jr.|Ted DiBiase]])
|{{small|[[Tornado tag team match]]}}
|17:48
|-
|align=center|20
|[[Randy Orton]] (c) defeated [[Sheamus]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2010)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|October 3, 2010 
|rowspan=2|[[American Airlines Center]]
|rowspan=2|[[Dallas]], Texas
|22:51
|-
|align=center|21
|[[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] (c) defeated [[The Undertaker]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
|21:38
|-
|align=center|22
|[[John Cena]] (c) defeated [[Alberto Del Rio]], [[CM Punk]], [[Dolph Ziggler]], and [[Jack Swagger]]
|{{small|[[Five-man match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''<br>{{small|(dark match)}}
|September 26, 2011 
|[[Sprint Center]]
|[[Kansas City, Missouri]]
|5:01
|-
|align=center|23
|[[Mark Henry]] (c) defeated [[Randy Orton]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2011)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|October 2, 2011 
|rowspan=2|[[New Orleans Arena]]
|rowspan=2|[[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]]
|15:54
|-
|align=center|24
|[[Alberto Del Rio]] defeated [[John Cena]] (c) and [[CM Punk]]
|{{small|[[Triple threat match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|24:07
|-
|align=center|25
|[[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Triple H]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] with [[Shawn Michaels]] as the [[special guest referee]]}}
|[[WrestleMania XXVIII]]
|April 1, 2012 
|[[Sun Life Stadium]]
|[[Miami Gardens, Florida]]
|30:52
|-
|align=center|26
|[[CM Punk]] (c) defeated [[Ryback]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|[[Hell in a Cell (2012)|Hell in a Cell]]
|October 28, 2012 
|[[Philips Arena]]
|[[Atlanta]], Georgia
|11:22
|-
|align=center|27
|[[CM Punk]] defeated [[Ryback]] and [[Paul Heyman]]
|{{small|Two-on-one [[handicap match]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2013)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|October 27, 2013 
|rowspan=2|[[American Airlines Arena]]
|rowspan=2|Miami, Florida
|13:48
|-
|align=center|28
|[[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the vacant [[WWE Championship]] with [[Shawn Michaels]] as the [[special guest referee]]}}
|22:07
|-
|align=center|29
|[[John Cena]] defeated [[Randy Orton]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] to determine the number one contender for the [[WWE Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2014)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|October 26, 2014 
|rowspan=2|[[American Airlines Center]]
|rowspan=2|[[Dallas|Dallas, Texas]]
|25:52
|-
|align=center|30
|[[Seth Rollins]] defeated [[Jon Moxley|Dean Ambrose]]
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|14:00
|-
|align=center|31
|[[Roman Reigns]] defeated [[Bray Wyatt]]
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2015)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|October 25, 2015
|rowspan=2|[[Staples Center]]
|rowspan=2|Los Angeles, California
|23:08
|-
|align=center|32
|[[Brock Lesnar]] defeated [[The Undertaker]]
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|18:10
|-
|align=center|33
|[[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Shane McMahon]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]<br>Had Shane McMahon won, he would have gained control of [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and Undertaker would have been barred from competing at [[WrestleMania]] again}}
|[[WrestleMania 32]]
|April 3, 2016
|[[AT&T Stadium]]
|[[Arlington, Texas]]
|30:08
|-
|align=center|34
|[[Roman Reigns]] (c) defeated [[Miro (wrestler)|Rusev]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE United States Championship]]}}
|rowspan=3|[[Hell in a Cell (2016)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=3|October 30, 2016
|rowspan=3|[[TD Garden]]
|rowspan=3|[[Boston]], Massachusetts
|24:35
|-
|align=center|35
|[[Kevin Owens]] (c) defeated [[Seth Rollins]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]}}
|23:15
|-
|align=center|36
|[[Charlotte Flair]] defeated [[Sasha Banks]] (c)
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Raw Women's Championship]]}}
|22:25
|-
|align=center|37
|[[The Usos]] ([[Jimmy Uso]] and [[Jey Uso]]) defeated [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|The New Day]] ([[Big E (wrestler)|Big E]] and [[Xavier Woods]]) (c)
||{{small|[[Tornado tag team match]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2017)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|October 8, 2017
|rowspan=2|[[Little Caesars Arena]]
|rowspan=2|Detroit, Michigan
|22:00
|-
|align=center|38
|[[Kevin Owens]] defeated [[Shane McMahon]]
||{{small|[[Falls Count Anywhere match]]}}
|39:00
|-
|align=center|39
|[[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Jeff Hardy]]
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2018)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|September 16, 2018
|rowspan=2|[[AT&T Center]]
|rowspan=2|[[San Antonio]], Texas
|24:50
|-
|align=center|40
|[[Roman Reigns]] (c) vs. [[Braun Strowman]] ended in a no contest
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]] with [[Mick Foley]] as the [[special guest referee]]<br>This was also Strowman's [[Money in the Bank cash-in match]] which was scheduled in advance}}
|24:10
|-
|align=center|41
|[[Becky Lynch]] (c) defeated [[Sasha Banks]]
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Raw Women's Championship]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2019)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|October 6, 2019
|rowspan=2|[[Golden 1 Center]]
|rowspan=2|[[Sacramento, California]]
|21:50
|-
|align=center|42
|[[Seth Rollins]] (c) vs. [[Bray Wyatt|"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]] ended in a match stoppage
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]}}
|17:30
|-
|align=center|43
|[[Roman Reigns]] (c) defeated [[Jey Uso]]
||{{small|[["I Quit" match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]}}
|rowspan=3|[[Hell in a Cell (2020)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=3|October 25, 2020
|rowspan=3|[[Amway Center]]
|rowspan=3|[[Orlando, Florida]]
|29:20
|-
|align=center|44
|[[Sasha Banks]] defeated [[Bayley (wrestler)|Bayley]] (c)
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Women's Championship]]}}
|26:35
|-
|align=center|45
|[[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Drew McIntyre]] (c)
||{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|30:35
|-
|align=center|46
|[[Roman Reigns]] (c) defeated [[Rey Mysterio]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]}}
|''[[WWE SmackDown|Friday Night SmackDown]]''
|June 18, 2021
| rowspan="4" |[[Yuengling Center]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Tampa, Florida]]
|16:00
|-
|align=center|47
|[[Bianca Belair]] (c) defeated [[Bayley (wrestler)|Bayley]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Women's Championship]]}}
|rowspan=2|[[Hell in a Cell (2021)|Hell in a Cell]]
|rowspan=2|June 20, 2021
|19:45
|-
|align=center|48
|[[Bobby Lashley]] (c) defeated [[Drew McIntyre]]
|{{small|[[Last Chance match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
|25:45
|-
|align=center|49
|[[Bobby Lashley]] defeated [[Xavier Woods]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''
|June 21, 2021
|13:40
|-
|align=center|50
|[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] defeated [[Seth Rollins]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[Crown Jewel (2021)|Crown Jewel]]
|October 21, 2021
|[[Mohammed Abdu Arena]]
|[[Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]]
|27:40
|-
|align=center|51
|[[Cody Rhodes]] defeated [[Seth Rollins|Seth "Freakin" Rollins]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[Hell in a Cell (2022)|Hell in a Cell]]
|June 5, 2022
|[[Allstate Arena]]
|[[Rosemont, Illinois]]
|24:20
|-
|align=center|52
|[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] defeated [[Finn Bálor|"The Demon" Finn Bálor]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[WrestleMania 39]]
|April 2, 2023
|[[SoFi Stadium]]
|[[Inglewood, California]]
|18:10
|-
|align=center|53
|[[CM Punk]] defeated [[Drew McIntyre]]
|{{small|[[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]}}
|[[Bad Blood (2024)|Bad Blood]]
|October 5, 2024
|[[State Farm Arena]]
|[[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| 31:25
|}

===Participant list===
[[File:Shawn Michaels WM24 shot.jpg|thumb|[[Shawn Michaels]] was the inaugural winner in October 1997]]
[[File:Undertaker with Fire.jpg|thumb|[[The Undertaker]] holds the record for both the most wins at 8 and the most Hell in a Cell matches with 14, with his final appearance at [[WrestleMania 32]] in April 2016]]
[[File:WWE Raw 2016-04-04 19-40-26 ILCE-6000 2497 DxO (28352231546) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Sasha Banks]] holds the record for most women's Hell in a Cell match appearances with 3.]]

====Males====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Wrestler 
!Victories
!Appearances
|-
|The Undertaker
|8
|14
|-
|Triple H
|6
|9
|-
|Randy Orton
|5
|8
|-
|Roman Reigns
|4
|5
|-
|Shawn Michaels
|3
|4
|-
|CM Punk
|3
|6
|-
|Batista
|2
|2
|-
|Brock Lesnar
|2
|2
|-
|Kevin Owens
|2
|2
|-
|Bobby Lashley
|2
|2
|-
|Edge
|2
|3
|-
|John Cena
|2
|4
|-
|Kurt Angle
|1
|1
|-
|Mark Henry
|1
|1
|-
|Jimmy Uso
|1
|1
|-
|Stone Cold Steve Austin
|1
|2
|-
|Alberto Del Rio
|1
|2
|-
|Jey Uso
|1
|2
|-
|Cody Rhodes
|1
|2
|-
|Kane
|1
|3
|-
|Seth Rollins
|1
|5
|-
|Big Boss Man 
|0
|1
|-
|Rikishi
|0
|1
|-
|The Rock
|0
|1
|-
|Chris Jericho
|0
|1
|-
|Kevin Nash
|0
|1
|-
|Mr. McMahon 
|0
|1
|-
|Big Show
|0
|1
|-
|Ted DiBiase
|0
|1
|-
|Sheamus
|0
|1
|-
|Dolph Ziggler
|0
|1
|-
|Jack Swagger
|0
|1
|-
|Paul Heyman
|0
|1
|-
|Daniel Bryan
|0
|1
|-
|Dean Ambrose
|0
|1
|-
|Rusev
|0
|1
|-
|Big E
|0
|1
|-
|Jeff Hardy
|0
|1
|-
|Braun Strowman
|0
|1
|-
|Rey Mysterio
|0
|1
|-
|Finn Bálor
|0
|1
|-
|Ryback
|0
|2
|-
|Bray Wyatt/"The Fiend"
|0
|2
|-
|Xavier Woods
|0
|2
|-
|Shane McMahon
|0
|3
|-
|Drew McIntyre
|0
|3
|-
|Mankind/Cactus Jack
|0
|4
|}

====Females====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Wrestler 
!Victories
!Appearances
|-
|Charlotte Flair
|1
|1
|-
|Becky Lynch
|1
|1
|-
|Bianca Belair
|1
|1
|-
|Sasha Banks
|1
|3
|-
|Bayley
|0
|2
|}

== See also ==
* [[Elimination Chamber]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|http://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell}}

{{Mick Foley}}
{{The Undertaker}}
{{Shawn Michaels}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hell In A Cell}}
[[Category:Hell in a Cell| ]]
[[Category:1997 in professional wrestling]]
[[Category:WWE match types]]