25 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Ruthless Aggression PPV

11. Changing The Cage Affected Hell In A Cell

A lot of folks seem to have forgotten this even happened.

WWE introduced a taller and “slimmer” looking Hell In A Cell structure at Unforgiven 2006. The match? Triple H and Shawn Michaels faced Vince McMahon, Shane and Big Show in a handicap situation on the PPV. Compare and contrast the slimline structure to the older one and it’s night and day. There was something more foreboding and claustrophobic about the original.

When compared, the new look seemed a little too roomy after the switch. Then, post-'Ruthless Aggression', HIAC lost all lustre when they turned it into a standalone show in 2009 and forced feuds into the previously fearsome cage. That was a huge clanger, and it's one Triple H is guilty of in more modern times with match types like WarGames.

Creative meetings were presumably abuzz with chatter about how much cooler a taller Cell would look. In theory, fans would be desperate to see somebody dive off the top and fall an even greater height, but...nah. HIAC lost some of the cramped intensity it had enjoyed since debuting back in 1997. Worse, the new cage looked a little too shiny and pristine.

It lacked the war wounds of yesteryear when men like Mick Foley, Undertaker, Triple H and more had literally bled buckets inside it. Maybe the structure looked better in arenas for those higher up, but it didn't translate well to TV. Not a major problem by any means, but still something well worth drawing attention to in retrospective articles like this one.

HIAC was fine as it was pre-2006 change.