10 Problems WWE Doesn't Want To Admit About Hell In A Cell

Hell in a Cell is one of those match types that really needs no introduction. Every single Royal Rumble is preceded by a thorough explanation of its rules; same for every ladder match, last man standing match, and so on. The same never happens for a Cell match. Everybody knows the deal: when a face and a heel hate each other very, very much, they're put in a roofed cage and made to tear one another apart. It's a simple formula, one which has proved enduringly popular over the years. But, as much as WWE would like you to think otherwise, Hell in a Cell is far from perfect. It has several major problems, and although many of these are products of the PG-era, not all are. Some are just fundamental flaws - flaws quickly overlooked by those desperate to preserve its legacy. The reality is, Hell in a Cell is just as imperfect as any other match type. It earns more forgiveness due to its iconic place in WWE history, but that shouldn't cause us to entirely overlook its weaknesses.

10. No Blood

One of the biggest changes implemented by the PG era is, of course, the lack of bleeding - intentional bleeding, anyway. It can be argued that the Attitude Era made blading far too commonplace, diluting the once-shocking impact of a grisly crimson mask. However, that rule can surely be bent in the case of the most punishing matches - of which Hell in a Cell is surely the frontrunner. I'm not suggesting that every single Cell match sees somebody busted wide open, but there's certainly been a lack of the red stuff in recent years. Superstars still pull off the same blood-drawing spots - grating each other's faces on the steel, smashing their heads into exposed turnbuckles, etc. - yet suddenly they have no visual effect. It makes little sense in terms of the stipulation's history, and robs it of a great deal of drama. A little bit of blood can go a long way, especially with regard to the dramatic feel of a match.