WWE: 10 Greatest Hell in a Cell Matches

6. The Undertaker vs. Triple H

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia40P8TFBMw When: WrestleMania XXVIII Where: Miami, Florida The end of an era. That was what WWE billed it as two of the all time greats and the two masters of the Hell in a Cell came to blows at WrestleMania XXVIII. Between them, they have competed in no less than 70% of the total number of cell matches. In fact, until 2009, there had only been one match that featured neither man. After two previous WrestleMania bouts, the latter of which saw the Undertaker being carried out a battered and broken man, Triple H was ready to move on. Despite losing, in his mind he had destroyed and retired the Undertaker. But the Phenom wasn't done yet. One year later, the Undertaker returned and wanted his redemption. Initially refusing, Triple H (in his new corporate role) thought it bad for business to annihilate the last remaining relic the company had. If Triple H broke the streak, Undertaker would have nothing left, nothing to do but retire. Undertaker goaded his rival with unfavourable comparisons to his best friend Shawn Michaels, causing the Game to accept under the condition they go all the way - to Hell in a Cell. The stakes were increased even further when HBK himself was named special referee and by the time April 1st came around, expectations were high. Undertaker provided the first shock by showing his newly shaved head & mohawk. With a point to prove, he hastily started out the blocks, refusing to give Triple H the upper hand. When a chair was brought into play, the punishment was unrelenting. There were some stunning call backs to their earlier meetings as Triple H tried to combat a Hell's Gate submission by grabbing a sledgehammer again and yelled "stay down!" when Taker's perseverance and heart refused to die. The conflicted performance of Michaels was exceptional with the emotion driving this match into territory few dare to enter. He tried his best to prevent further anguish only to get shoved around by both participants. He insisted on calling for the bell after seeing the relentless hurting Taker was receiving but was put into Hell's Gate himself to keep the bout alive. One of the finest false finishers I've ever seen saw Taker kick out following a Sweet Chin Music & Pedigree combination - something no mortal has ever done. But from somewhere, Taker summoned all his strength in the final moments to hit a Tombstone and put an end to this epoch. Despite barely using the structure, it was still an incredible match. Standing at 20-0, Undertaker aided Michaels with picking up Triple H, as arm-in-arm they struggled up the ramp before one final look back at the audience they had captivated. A truly iconic image from three men who had been through not only physical, but emotional hell.
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