Ranking The 28 Greatest Hell In A Cell Matches In WWE History
11. John Cena Vs. Randy Orton (Hell In A Cell 2009)
2009 ushered in a new era for the Cell. It became its own PPV, but the style also changed dramatically. No more blood meant the loss of an important intangible in putting over the finality of a rivalry once reserved for matches. The star since that change has been Randy Orton, who has excelled despite the handcuffs. He had a very good match with John Cena at the inaugural Hell in a Cell PPV, showing off some of the best character work that he had ever done. His heel character was hitting its stride in early 09 when he main-evented WrestleMania and it was in full gear when he wrestled four PPV matches against Cena later that year. The requisite near falls were there and they told a story that drew in the crowd and kept their feud alive for another month. Of all the Hell in a Cell matches, this might be the most underrated. Much of the credit goes to Orton for his psychology and selling. John Cena more than held up his end of the bargain, though. He has proven to be one of modern wrestling historys top big match performers and his Hell in a Cell with Orton was an adequate example.
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
