10 Wrestling Gimmicks That Got Out Of Control

7. Hell In A Cell

The Undertaker Mankind
WWE.com

It might be heresy to some, but the first Hell In A Cell match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker remains better than the follow-up 'Taker vs. Mankind one at King Of The Ring 1998. The original was a pulsating bruiser of a brawl that mixed drama, fear and psychology to perfection.

Mick Foley knew following it would be impossible if he didn't take some huge risks. That's why he agreed to a scary bump off the top of the cage; the second one, which saw Mick chokeslammed through the Cell, was unplanned. Regardless, both bumps have become iconic, and that HIAC bout is one of the most talked-about matches ever.

It ruined the Cell gimmick forever though.

Fans expected death-defying stunts whenever the cage was lowered, and WWE stopped offering them after a few years of trying to top Mick's spectacular falls. That, along with the lack of blood and the fact it's now an annual pay-per-view, has destroyed HIAC's aura.

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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.