10 Times WWE Destroyed Something Brilliant
2. Hell In A Cell
Hell In A Cell as it existed originally was the best gimmick match ever devised. The first crop of matches were so grisly and spectacular that they excused Jim Ross' cornball "demonic structure" posturing.
The success was as much to do with the content of the matches as what the structure itself symbolised; their mere involvement in it conveyed to the audience that a mere wrestler was now a legit superstar. Triple H, Chris Jericho, Batista - all were made in so small part due to their association with the stip.
It was reserved only for the elite members of the roster and the most intense of rivalries - until 2009, when WWE launched the now-annual Hell In A Cell pay-per-view. The transition to what has become of the Cell today is understandable, insofar as content. The Cell had long since morphed into a taller structure to condition fans to no longer expect the crazed and all-too dangerous bumps of yore, but the essence of the thing changed too. The Cell was lowered for just about any combination of wrestlers who just happened to be feuding in October, regardless of whether or not that feud was even over, much less heated.
Latter day Cell matches aren't terrible. As counterproductive as the Hell In A Cell pay-per-views are, they're almost invariably damn good. But as a unique attraction goes, it's as toothless as Mick Foley circa King Of The Ring 1998.