There was a time when steel cages were used as prisons in which the hottest and most intense rivalries in all of professional wrestling would go to be resolved. Don Muraco vs. Jimmy Snuka, Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff and Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart are just some of the bouts held in the confines of the steel structure that settled major rivalries and intensified others. They minimized outside interference and served as the battleground for some of industry's giants. In recent years, however, Vince McMahon's WWE has attempted to diminish the importance of the cage match, especially with Hell in a Cell and Elimination Chamber playing such a major role in their annual pay-per-view schedule. Since the dawn of the new Millennium some 14 years ago, several top Superstars have done all they can to ensure that the cage match does not become extinct. Industry giants such as Edge, Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair and Triple H have wrestled some truly outstanding steel cage bouts that have stolen whichever show they appeared on. The September 8 episode of Raw featured the latest, greatest cage bout as Jericho battled Bray Wyatt in the culmination of their months-long feud. With that contest fresh on the minds of fans, relive the eight best steel cage bouts since 2000 by clicking the "next" button to your right.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
