The Architecture of Agony: Ranking All Hell in a Cell Matches at WrestleMania

As the clock ticks closer to WrestleMania 42, a clearer picture is finally emerging for the biggest two nights of the year. This past Monday on Raw, the card gained a major high-stakes addition when AJ Lee made the gutsy decision to put her Intercontinental Championship on the line in a rematch against Becky Lynch.

Despite that recent addition, only six matches are officially confirmed for the card. With rumors suggesting a maximum of 16 matches across both nights, WWE creative still needs to finalize roughly 10 more bouts with only 22 days to go.

While some fans are concerned about the current match count, we are undoubtedly on the verge of a major uptick in announcements. One high-profile addition expected for the card involves the former Undisputed WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre, and the “Samoan Werewolf,” Jacob Fatu, whose rivalry has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks.  

Last Friday’s SmackDown saw McIntyre and Fatu engage in a wild brawl that spanned the entire show and ended on a high platform above the ground. In the final moments, the two were still trading heavy blows before both plummeted from the ledge just as the show went off the air. After their chaotic, arena-spanning battle, it’s clear the pair are destined for a massive showdown in Las Vegas.

Social media has been buzzing with praise for the chemistry between McIntyre and Fatu, with many calling for a stipulation to match the intensity of their SmackDown brawl. While a Street Fight seems like the most natural fit, others are pushing for WWE to go even bolder by settling this rivalry inside Hell in a Cell. 

The last time we saw the Hell in a Cell stipulation was at Bad Blood on October 5, 2024. That night, CM Punk and none other than Drew McIntyre finally settled their legendary year-long feud inside the steel structure in what many consider the definitive end to their epic rivalry. Now, Fatu might be the man to drag “The Scottish Warrior” back inside the steel.

If the gap since the last Hell in a Cell match feels significant, the last time we had a matchup involving the “Showcase of the Immortals” has been even longer. The last time “The Devil’s Playground” appeared at WrestleMania was almost three years ago, when Edge faced off against “The Demon” Finn Bálor on Night 2 of WrestleMania 39. 

Perhaps the best reason to have Fatu and McIntyre settle their differences inside Hell in a Cell is simple: history. There have only been four Hell in a Cell matches in WrestleMania history, making it one of the rarest sights in the business. With that in mind, let’s dive in and rank those four legendary battles to see how they set the bar for Las Vegas.

4. The Undertaker vs. Big Boss Man (WrestleMania 15) 

Kicking things off, we have the very first Hell in a Cell match to occur at WrestleMania: The Undertaker vs. Big Boss Man at WrestleMania 15. Taking place at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, the bout featured the “Lord of Darkness” version of the “Deadman” as he battled Vince McMahon’s corporate enforcer.

While the match was physical, it struggled with several moments of slow pacing. Numerous reports since then have revealed that The Undertaker was battling multiple injuries at the time, a factor that largely explains why the bout struggled to maintain its momentum.

While the match was filled with brutal moments, including the use of nightsticks, chairs, and a blood-streaked face for The Undertaker, it ultimately ended with the “Deadman” delivering his iconic Tombstone Piledriver, successfully extending his historic streak to 8-0.

While many remain critical of the match itself, the aftermath drew even more backlash. As “The Brood” descended from the rafters onto the top of the cell, they lowered a noose to The Undertaker, who placed it around Big Boss Man’s neck. Many fans felt this moment crossed a line, finding it both unnecessary and far too graphic.

3. The Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon (WrestleMania 32) 

Next on our list, we once again find The Undertaker inside the Cell, only this time against the son of the Chairman, Shane McMahon, at WrestleMania 32. This high-stakes encounter took place at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, with massive stipulations on the line: a victory for Shane would grant him full control of Monday Night Raw. At the same time, an Undertaker loss would effectively end his legendary career.

The most impressive aspect of this match wasn’t its pacing, which, like the WrestleMania 17 bout, suffered from some sluggish moments, but rather its incredible endurance. Despite Shane McMahon being a non-wrestler and The Undertaker being in the last stages of his career, they put on a physical performance that lasted for more than 30 minutes.

The matchup featured plenty of brutality, including the use of objects like monitors and bolt cutters. However, the most high-stakes moment occurred when Shane McMahon climbed to the top of the 20-foot cell, attempting a massive diving elbow onto The Undertaker. But the “Deadman” moved just in time, sending McMahon crashing through the announce table alone.