On Monday's RAW, it was announced that Seth Rollins will face either John Cena or Dean Ambrose at Hell in a Cell, in a match of the same name. Once renowned for classic, bloodthirsty matches that give climactic ends to violent, personal wars, the PPV name has diluted Satans Structure into a background prop for undeserving, sub-par matches. Arguably, the superb Rollins vs. Ambrose feud belongs in the Cell but Rollins vs. Cena doesnt, caused simply by interference in the Night of Champions main event. Rollins vs. Cena/Ambrose will be the 28th televised Hell in a Cell match since its October 1997 inception (not including the Kennel from Hell) and, whilst weve been treated to some classics like Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels and Undertaker vs. Mankind, there have been several that havent quite stole the show. Here are the seven worst Hell in a Cell matches so far.
7. DX vs. Big Show/Vince/Shane (Unforgiven, 2006)
In isolation, this handicap match wasnt so bad. The in-ring action was fine and carried by two of the finest wrestlers of their generation. But the violence was clouded by weeks of camp, cringeworthy humour in the build-up and the matchs comedic end. After Michaels four-year absence from the ring, followed by a two-year feud with Triple H, the two reunited in June 2006 to feud with the Spirit Squad, the McMahons and Jonathan Coachman - all victims of various practical jokes and impressions. After beating Vince and Shane McMahon in a Summerslam tag match, DX were forced into a rematch which added Big Show as an extra obstacle. This time in Hell in a Cell, Unforgiven 2006 saw the debut of the bigger, shinier Cell we see today. The match started with several double low blows, followed by HHH stabbing Vince with a screwdriver. Big Show manhandled DX for a while, whilst Shane coast-to-coasted a trash can at HHHs slumped body. DX summoned the guts to make a comeback, with HBK dropping a flying elbow onto a chair on Shanes face and Triple H attacking Big Show with a steel chair. Then, the matchs defining moment, as DX wiped Vinces face onto Big Shows exposed rear. A Sweet Chin Music sledgehammer combo led to the 1-2-3, as DX defeated the odds to claim victory. Post-match, EMTs came to the ring to sell the brutality of the match, as DX went on to face Rated RKO and send Spirit Squad in a crate addressed to OVW, Louisville, Kentucky.
From Chester-le-Street, with Newcastle as my spiritual home. 24 years old, I'm at Sunderland University studying for a Sports Journalism MA. It's all about football and WWE. Wordplay jokes and puns are also encouraged.
