When people ask what is the most iconic moment in wrestling, the WWE Hell in a Cell match has to be in the conversation…
Hell in a cell has been in existence since October 1997 and is one of the most impressive-looking gimmick matches in all of wrestling. But after all these years, is there still a place for it in 2020?
WWE Hell In A Cell: The Event Or The Match?
One issue is the introduction of Hell in a Cell as a PPV event as opposed to just a match. Many WWE events are now based on match types (think Elimination Chamber, TLC, extreme rules). This means that feuds have cell matches just because it is October as opposed to an actual end. If a feud is fresh, expect it to continue even after the cell match. Imagine how watered down the HHH vs Batista feud of 2005 would have been if they continued after their Hell in a Cell Match.
It’s brutal (to a point), there are no rules (but referee stoppages)
The crimson mask has been a staple of the cell match when blood was allowed. But in 2008 things changed. The switch to a TV PG rating meant that bleeding was no longer allowed. While this was a good decision, as it improves the health and safety of the performers, the marketing has remained the same. Video packages show previous cell events with spots that would not take place today. While viewers are supposed to suspend their disbelief, there’s only so much brutality that can take place in a PG product. Think back to the Lesnar vs Undertaker match that was actually paused to clean up blood. At least that match actually has a logical ending. The main events in both the 2018 and 2019 events both had non-finishes. Matches that have no disqualifications were stopped by referees.
But they are entertaining
Despite the brutality being scaled back, the cell matches are still as good in quality than some of the matches in the early 2000’s. The New Day vs The Uso’s from 2017 is a modern classic and should be featured alongside the more iconic ones. Also, the inclusion of the female roster getting their own cell matches makes it feel like a bigger deal as WWE actually cares about that women’s feud.
So Does it hold up?
There are three ways at looking at this. The earlier matches definitely still look great today and are a great way to get people into WWE. The use of the match as an event only once a year now feels antiquated and can water down the blood feuds between the superstars. It should be the blow-off to months of fighting, not just be there because some people are coincidentally fighting in October and that’s when the event is. Still use the match once or twice a year, but save it for other PPV events. Also, the announcement of the match unexpectedly brings more unpredictability. Something is sometimes lacking in today’s product.
Featured image: WWE
