10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (11 Oct)

6. Why Jim Ross Originally Loved The HIAC Concept

hell in a cell
WWE

The original sub-title for this entry was, 'Why Jim Ross Loved HIAC'. That was changed on the off chance anyone thought AEW's finest was leaping to the defence of Bray Wyatt vs. Seth Rollins at Hell In A Cell 2019. He's not. JR agrees with most that WWE dropped the ball by booking a bullsh*t finish to that headliner.

On his 'Grilling JR' show, the announcing favourite went back in time to recall the creation of Hell In A Cell, who told him about it and why he couldn't wait to see it happen. In order, Jim was first told about the cell in the summer of 1997 by Vince McMahon (who was fed the new idea by his 'creative services' team). So, why couldn't he wait?

There was a roof on the thing. It was that simple.

Ross had always hated the thought that wrestlers would try to escape or "run away from a fight" from the more standard steel cage. By putting a ceiling on this cell, he thought the match had more credibility as a genuine battle, and was delighted it'd stop babyfaces from doing a runner.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.