Say the phrase "Hell in a Cell" to any wrestling fan and they will immediately recall the Undertaker's match against Mankind at the 1998 King of the Ring pay-per-view. The punishment and suffering that Mankind was put through in that match is well documented in autobiographies, WWE home video releases and major motion picture documentaries. Often overlooked is the fact that Undertaker worked the match on a broken foot, only adding to his legacy as one of the sports toughest and most respected stars. He was in noticeable pain throughout and to climb that cage as many times as he did, with pain shooting through his foot and up his leg, is quite admirable. Of course, it is minimal compared to what Mankind endured, which brings up another overlooked point: Mankind gets the credit for being the toughest man on the planet that night in Pittsburgh but Undertaker looked like an absolutely ruthless competitor, showing very little remorse as he repeatedly pummeled Mankind and threw him from heights that would cripple most men. It was the perfect dichotomy of a man willing to endure any pain and an opponent willing to dish a great deal of it out. The match may be overrated, at least in this writer's humble opinion, but it is most certainly one of the major highlights of Undertaker's career and arguably his most famous match.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
