[10.0] "This match was very strongly built up and everything that happens to Shawn Michaels in this match is really satisfying because of all of his antics after the Summerslam. As the very first Hell in a Cell match, it still stands out as one of the very best. It's great storytelling where Undertaker spends pretty much the whole match looking to punish and destroy Shawn Michaels and he is successful in doing so. The spots with the cage are inventive where at one point he rams Michaels literally from pillar to post where he hots his spine from the corner of the cell to the ringpost. Michaels does get a brief comeback moment where he lands a piledriver on the steps and hits Undertaker with the chair, but this was short lived. I thought it was really clever how they got out of the cell when Michaels ends up attacking one of the cameramen at ringside so they would have to open the door to get him out and then he ends up getting out of the cell in fear when Taker sits up after the Sweet Chin Music. This ends up getting even worse for Shawn Michaels as this ends up backfiring badly where his face ends up turning into a hamburger when Taker throws him into the Cell and then he winds up on the top of the cell trying to get away from Taker and ends up taking a brutal bump off the top of the cell. This might have been overshadowed somewhat by Mick Foley a year later, but nothing like that had ever been seen in a WWF match before! Taker absolutely dominated the match and hits Michaels bloody face with the chair for some poetic justice before he is interrupted by the iconic debut of his brother Kane. The look of shock when he is face to face with him sells it perfectly. This was a perfect match when it come to the storytelling in my opinion."
[7.0] "Really well done match in terms of storytelling. Shawn is the helpless yet cocky little man while Taker is the beast that wants to rip him apart. This is also probably Taker's second best performance. However, this match being overbooked at the end really soured it for me. I don't care for Kane at all and in retrospect I wish he'd never had as well. There are also sections of this match that drag on for too long."
[9.0] "Excellent overbooking as I love it. A magnificent match bordering on perfect. Kane's debut at the end which is one of the best debuts for me. (4*3/4)"
[10.0] "What more can be said? Still the best HIAC match. Picture perfect psychology and story. Shawn has been running from Taker for months, being a cocky prick, using every underhanded tactic in the book, and now he is stuck. He doesn't realise it straight away, but once that door shuts, the smile is gone, he cannot run. End it off with a top 5 greatest debut of all time and Shawn, once again, somehow weaseling away, while still getting his comeuppance by getting beaten to a pulp. It is simply perfect *****"
"The only flaw with this otherwise perfect match is that it doesn't quite live up to the levels of excellence that these two would achieve 12 and 13 years later. Still incredible, though."
[9.0] "Michaels once again proves that if you want to put a new stipulation over he's the go to guy. I mean it's fantastic in every way and probably the best Hell in a Cell Match of all time, while at the same time being so simple. Shawn is phenomenal when he lets the bigger guy be in control and here he does exactly that, which lets him show off his selling and bumping skills, making The Undertaker look like a huge threat. He gets some offense by being smart and slick to build the heat and then gets put down once again with some dangerously looking move from Taker. The whole match is mostly Deadman punishing Michaels and it's a perfect way to make the stipulation look as barbaric as it possibly can, while making the crowd go crazy and pop for every time that Shawn gets to learn his lesson. Kane's debut is just an icing on the cake and makes the whole match and the finish even more memorable. Brilliant match, that's the way you should do no DQ contests."
[7.0] "While I agree this match in incredibly strong psychologically, and both Taker and Shawn really sold the danger of the new match type, this match is largely boring. There's quite a bit of standing around, the match is incredibly simplistic until the last third, and Shawn's over-selling is way too constant. Kane's debut is perfect, and the last third of the match is very good, but this match is being boosted by its legacy. 3.5 Stars."
[10.0] "Dieses Match ist nicht viel weniger als eine absolute Legende! Shawn Michaels musste hier natürlich extrem viel einstecken, was allerdings auch den Reiz des Matches ausgemacht hat. Klar das Beste an dem ganzen war das unfassbare Selling von HBK. Es ist so viel passiert, was man zum ersten Mal gesehen hat. Dazu natürlich noch das phänomenale Matchende. Einfach ziemlicher Wahnsinn."
[9.0] "There's little-to-nothing to poke at psychologically here, the two characters worked exactly as they should (HBK beating up a cameraman was a particularly good way to paint him as a little shithead bully) and it's a 10/10 story - the heel tried to run but got his ass beat, only mounted his own offence through risk and craftiness, chairs were used as a callback to SummerSlam, the cameraman bit provided a reason for the door to be open with Shawn running away through it after 'Taker no-sold Sweet Chin Music, Shawn was caught again and bloodied up and bumped through the table but stole a win after Kane's interference, yet still looked utterly dead afterwards. I definitely see the merit for it as a 5-star classic, especially in '97. Boasts some great imagery like Shawn's crimson mask and his blood dripping down on the camera, 'Taker emulating a horror movie villain which was the best thing for him at the time, and obviously Kane's debut. The Undertaker having a long-lost brother could've so easily been terrible but they really delivered with a huge awesome-looking monster, though it's a shame the pyro didn't have a bang to it like it later would. All that said, you could tell it was the first HIAC and it does feel a little stilted and hokey in the presentation sometimes. I also feel 'Taker sadistically taking his time, while not a totally illogical decision considering the background, misses part of the fun in these matches in seeing just how intensely and immediately the cornered heel gets their comeuppance. In general, I think 'Taker could've had a punchier performance here and that this would've been fine dropping 5-10 minutes. Still, while not perfect for me upon first viewing, pretty great and historical match here. (****1/2)"
[9.0] "It was very good, and historic as it was the first cell match, and introduction of Kane. Although I'm sure this match albeit good now was seem as incredible when it happened. I felt overall it was pretty tame with Undertaker controlling HBK most of the match. I preferred the Mania HBK vs Taker matches, and the second cell match. But still historic, and a great match."
[10.0] "Undertaker mostly pummels Michaels but Michaels gets some moves in too. Chairs are used. They go outside the cell. Michaels gets bloodied and goes through a table. The ending is memorable. I still prefer the second HIAC but this match is a classic too."
[9.0] "I'm sorry but when I look at an HIAC I want to see a creative Spotfest full of awesome and cartoony moments not a long story driven weapons - less brawl, this was great but luckly wrestling evolved and this is part of the past. The only things that is better than today's HIACs is the blood. ****1/2"
[10.0] "Still the greatest cell match in wwe history. Amazing fucking match that Ive seen countless times because of the hell in the cell dvd I got as a kid and this match still never gets old. HBK in his peak and undertaker with a lot to prove and this just makes for a 5 star classic. The final 15 minutes of the match from when they exit the cell to the Kane debut and the finish might be the greatest 15 or so minutes of wrestling ever: 5/5 awesome"
[7.0] "For the most part of the match, it was a beating of Shawn Michaels, because he could come back and fight back properly only one time. There was nothing special in terms of wrestling, because we would barely see any. The focus was mainly on the use of the cage as they threw each other against it. The part of the match when they climbed to the top of the cage was entertaining, as well as the debut of Kane. I can't take this match seriously as a wrestling match, but I must admit it was a really good entertainment."
[10.0] "Für mich ein all time Classic Match, auch heute noch. Habe mir gestern zum ersten Mal den gesamten PPV angeschaut und habe sehr auf dieses Match hin gefiebert. Das geht auch schon von dem Match los, die Fehde ist heiß, die D-X formt sich im Hintergrund, die Wrestler sind over und das Debut von Kane schwebt über diesem ersten Hell in a Cell Match der Geschichte es kommt also einiges zusammen, unabhängig vom Match selber. Das Match selber hat dann im Prinzip 3 Phase. Zuerst in der Zelle, wo der Undertaker erst sehr dominiert, bevor sich HBK ins Match kämpft. In der zweiten Phase geht es nach draußen inkl. dem legendären Bump vom Käfig durch das Kommentatorenpult. In der letzten Phase gibt es dann letztendlich das Debut von Kane, welches auch heute noch unglaublich gut aussieht. Geiler Entrance, das Feuer und Kane selber als imposante Erscheinung. Fand das alles zusammen unglaublich stimmig."
[8.0] "Great match, but in my opinion, there's a disconnect in how people view it. If you saw it close to when it came out, it was incredible. If you saw it after you saw the Makind vs Taker cell match, you likely thought this wasn't as extreme and violent. It's a good match though, maybe a touch long, but the finish with Kane's debut is great. Shawn takes a decent table bump, lots of blood too. Taker get's a little too much offense before the interference for it to have many false finishes though, and there's a gimmicked chair they use that bends way too easily that makes it hard to suspend disbelief. Still a legendary match, I just might not be as high on it as some others."
[7.0] "This match was good but not as good as it's made out to be. This is a pure 7 match and just felt like a mindless brawl with no end. There was nothing notable. Not my kind of match but still a good match just not something you could go out of your way to see."
[9.0] "I don't think this match is quite the all timer I remembered it being. The first twenty minutes are just brawling around the cage which was enjoyable but the most standout spot I remember was Shawn diving off the side of the cell with an elbow drop, that was pretty cool. this doesn't really pick up until Shawn starts bleeding and that's when the match truly starts for me. They go up to the cell where Shawn bleeds on the camera man in the ring and the camera man goes "AH SHIT" which was so funny. Then Taker stomps Shawn's fingers and then Shawn takes a good looking bump through the table. Then Taker brains Shawn with a disgusting chair shot and then does an Avalanche Chokeslam which was so crazy looking. And right as the match finally picked up steam, Kane makes debut, destroys Earl Hebnar, gives Undertaker a gross tombstone, Shawn wins, and the match is over. I know a lot of people say this match type hasn't improved since, but like The Mankind/Taker match happens the next year. And then you have Brock vs. Taker in 2002, Heck I think I prefer the Brock/Taker match from 2015 over this. I honestly don't know if this would've improved if they got 5 or 10 more minutes, so I guess they did as good as they could, it's just that this match has surpassed so many times, but it's still a classic don't get me wrong, it's just not the best hell in a cell match of all time. Neither is it the best match of WWF in 1997, that's still Bret vs. Austin in the Submission match at Mania 13."
[9.0] "6/7 - Six out of Seven Incredible match from two great performers. The interference at the end where it takes away from the concept of being trapped inside a cell loses a point for me"
[10.0] "Toughest HBK's ever looked -- even out-does his match vs Mankind in terms of the carnage Undertaker puts him through. Amazing intro of Kane, really well thought out and pace match from start to finish. The brief trip out of the cage was clever"
[10.0] "This match is an all time great it has a perfect story and is a perfect match and has one of the best debut in wrestling this match was a classic and was something special. This was a great introduction to the hell in a cell match. *****"
[10.0] "Hot take: This is the best shawn vs taker match and a top 5 wwe match ever. It just gets who these characters are and plays with the cell in a way that never been done again. It's also the best match that ends with interference, has the best debut ever, and i'd argue is also the best gimmick match ever. marvelous stuff."
[10.0] "Very very good match, holds up against the test of time. Masterful story telling, the Kane angle elevates, the only negative I can give this is that it isn't the greatest hell in a cell match."
[10.0] "First time watching this since 1997 and wow it still holds up. This was quite a bit better than their match at Ground Zero, as now Michaels was able to get in some offense. This had some all around fantastic storytelling, with Shawn increasingly getting agitated with the cameramen. He finally knocks one of them out, which prompts Commissioner Slaughter to come down and open up the door to get him out. Naturally this leads to both wrestlers brawling outside of the cage and then eventually on top of the cage. Pretty much all hell was breaking loose at this point, and Shawn took a pretty big fall through the announce table. Finally, Kane makes his long-awaited debut and ends up costing Taker the match. Just so much happening in this one -- one of the all-time greats. *****"
[9.0] "Excellent match. The action wasn't very spectacular, it was much more methodical than I expected it to be, the pacing was slow but the match never felt dull and never dragged. Everything they did here worked including the little cameraman angle. The ending isn't something that I am a huge fan of but Kane's debut was pretty cool so I guess its not too bad. ****3/4"
[10.0] "The first hell in a cell, as many have commented already, is an amazing match between HBK and the Undertaker . This match holds up very well to modern day wrestling standards, which makes it a great watch from start to finish. I have to say the beginning of the match was somewhat dull but the reasoning for exiting the cage was brilliantly done. It was very realistic and didn't feel forced. The camera man took a bad bump from HBK, the ref calls over for help. As they are opening the cage, Michaels hits Undertaker with a Sweet Chin Music, and as Michaels turns around to pin him, Taker no sells it and sits up in his iconic manner. HBK fearful runs out of the door as the cameraman is being walked out. They climb the cage, have a few good spots, and then as Michaels goes to climb down, he has his hands hit and falls off the cage into the announcers table. They re-enter the ring and then BOOM, Kane debuts and tombstones Taker. HBK pinfall win. What a great watch."
[9.0] "The first Hell in a Cell match (or hell in the cell as they kept on calling it) and there was a reason they kept this stipulation around. It shows all the things you could possibly do in a hiac match + the debut of an awaited wrestler. Oh yeah and it's 2 of the best wrestlers of all time at their best, with almost no boring points."
[10.0] "This match is very brutal for WWF at that time. I love ECW chant when HBK falls from the cage to the commentary table. Amazing match, and a great debut for Kane."
[9.0] "This shit was CRAZY, even as the first HIAC match it had some insane stuff in here, the ending was perfect with Shawn Michaels not winning but SURVIVING."
[10.0] "The first and best Hell In A Cell match in history (HHH vs Cactus Jack in second), Shaw's bumps during the match are incredible, in addition to the debut of Kane's iconic debut, MOTY from 1997 (*****)"
[9.0] "This is a legendary match, and for a reason. Some moments of this match became history of the Hell in a Cell match. The match itself is a 9 for sure but not a perfect score, because some parts were a bit too slow for me, but it's still a fantastic Hell in a Cell"
[10.0] "This match felt like something straight out of a Yuke's video game for the Sony Playstation 2. Whatever this PPV cost, it would've been worth it for this match alone."
[7.0] "i know that this is historical in the w industry, maybe becouse everywere were i read said that this much about he match, i was i liltle let down but it was a good"
[10.0] "Undertaker pummeling Shawn to (almost) death was satisfying, like a revenge he deserved and there was no better place to do it but inside hell; as was Shawn Michaels offense and the crazy spots he did, like the steel steps Pilidriver and, especially, when the Undertaker made him fall off the cell. To end the match the best way possible, we had Kane making his debut. This is poetry here, guys. One of the best matches ever."
[10.0] "Even ignoring the incredible debut of Kane at the end, this was still one of the best matches in WWE history and one of the best matches in either man's career. Michaels did a great job selling the fear of the cage and Taker and I loved his desperate offense, using every part of his environment to get an advantage over Taker."
[10.0] "Although it might be overshadowed by Kane's debut, Shawn's horrific bladejob, and bump from the cell, the first half of the match is incredibly well structured with Shawn backing away from Undertaker and only striking when he's able to find an opening. Undertaker stalking Shawn felt like it was lifted right out of a slasher film. Shawn has to use the environment around him if he wants to stand a chance and he comes up with some pretty unique spots, concluding with a piledriver on the steel steps. Shawn gets pissy with a cameraman for being in his way and this would come into play a few minutes later when he starts stomping on a different cameraman. This cameraman needs medical help, so WWF officials open the cell to get the man to safety. After Undertaker sits up after taking a Sweet Chin Music. Shawn decides to rush out of the cell. This was a really creative way to get them out of the cell. It becomes absolute pandemonium once they reach the top of the cell. Shawn just gets his ass handed to him as he bumps and bleeds all over the ringside area. Kane debuts and rips off the cell door as Vince McMahon makes one of his most memorable lines on commentary. One tombstone later, Shawn is able to drag his battered body onto of Undertaker to win the match. This was an absolute classic, featuring some sublime booking and two career-best performances from both Undertaker and Michaels."
[8.0] "What can be said that hasn't been said all these years? First Hell In A Cell match. Taker is royally pissed at Michaels and Shawn can't run anymore. Taker annihilates him for a lot of the match and beats him to a bloody pulp and then when it looks like it is over, Kane makes his debut and wipes out Taker which let's Shawn get a Honky Tonk Man style victory even though he is clinically dead and needs to be dragged to the back by the rest of DX. Needless to say, WATCH THIS MATCH!"
[10.0] "The historic implications of this match aside, it's a great cage match and established the hardcore style for future cell matches which remains today. Michaels is able to play off of the Undertaker's style very well, and we see plenty of brutal and athletic spots as well as some good brawling, something these two weren't known for at the time. One of the historic moments of this match that sometimes gets overlooked as such, is Shawn getting color in this match. WWF had been anti-color for years, despite the blade job in the Hart/Austin match at Wrestlemania a few months earlier which was unsanctioned. This cage is a combination of two great southern cages, the War Games cage from NWA and the Memphis cage, both of which were chain link as opposed to the blue bars of the WWF cages. Most southern wrestling fans expect blood when they see chain link, and this match delivers just that. The WWF is growing up right before our eyes in order to compete with WCW. This is a good match to show to someone who doesn't understand the purpose of blading and what it adds to a match. This combined with the great camera work and direction of the WWF in this time period make for many unforgettable images in this one match. Three different angles are resolved in this match, pulling the Undertaker into perhaps his most iconic feud, and setting up the inevitable end to the Bret/Shawn arc of 97. The attitude era is set to begin. Given every possible element, this is definitely a 10/10, and still an all-timer without the "perfect storm" elements taken into consideration. And to think, this show has a minis match on it too!"
[10.0] "The first ever Hell in a Cell match and it did not disappoint. Yes, there have been better cell matches. Taker vs Mankind was historic, HHH vs Taker is my personal favorite match of all time, and heck even today with Edge vs Rollins. But of course, you always remember your first. Michaels and Taker never disappoint. They have this unique chemistry, and even if their regular match was amazing, this was a blood bath fitting the name of "Badd Blood". Taker throwing around Shawn in the cell, Michaels falling on to the announce table from the cell, to finally, "THAT'S GOTTA BE KANE! ". Legendary."
[10.0] "Everything that had been building up in the past months finally collides here at Badd Blood. Shawn had initially cost Taker the WWF championship at Summerslam so Taker is out to kill him. He gets his hands on him at Ground Zero but wasn't truly able to do what he wanted with Shawn being able to run, interference from Chyna and HHH. Taker was able to dominate for a while up until Shawn gets him to run into the cage. Shawn's segment that includes a piledriver onto the steps, and taking out a cameraman ruled. I usually like no selling of finishers but Taker gets up right away after he gets hit with Sweet Chin Music and Shawn trying to run away from him by leaving the cage rules. Taker then kicks his ass all over the place again including on top of the cell, he makes Shawn a bloody mess and even puts him through a table. They get back in the cell and Taker hits Shawn in the face with a chair, gets ready to hit a tombstone, Kane makes his debut and costs Taker the match allowing Shawn to just scrape by and win the match. This match had it all drama, good in-ring action, and a great story.*****"
[10.0] "A historic match for a few reasons, not least of which is that it was absolutely amazing. The first Hell In A Cell match, it was designed to try to prevent interference or escape by anyone, but mostly by Shawn and his crew, not that it entirely worked for that. The match started slowly with Taker working over Michaels, until a cameraman was injured by Shawn. The cage had to be opened allowing the competitors to leave as well, although the Undertaker soon got the upper hand again, throwing Michaels against the cage hard enough to make him bleed - some of the first proper blood on a WWF program for a long time. After they were finally locked in the cage again, Kane came down to make his debut, ripping the door from the cell and attacking his brother, allowing Shawn to get the win. It was a perfectly paced match, with a great storyline to go with it, and of course Shawn's win set up his title shot at Survivor Series, which would be another historic match."
[10.0] "I can't say how much i love this match, both wrestlers had their momentums and delivered some good moves Michaels sold takers moves so well and it also had a great sence of story telling to it, i feel we can describe this match as a complete match because not only technically but also physiologically it was done great beside who can't forget how insane kane's debut was he was showed as a legit monster and it had a great impact"
[7.0] "I was kinda let down by this match. Meltzer gives it five stars and I've heard people non stop tell me that this match is the best Hell in a Cell ever. As I come to find, this match is just good. I'd even say pretty good. It doesn't cross the line for me from good to great. Their two matches over a decade later cross that line for me, so I know it's not that they don't mesh or that I'm not a fan of their work. I think it's just the story this match tells doesn't grab me terribly hard."
[10.0] "Easily one of the best matches of the 90s. A long match with perfect pacing. The best cell match to this day in my honest opinion. Their WrestleMania matches are obviously more well-known but this might be their best."
[10.0] "A legendary match with an iconic debut. I suppose some might argue that it doesn? t hold up, but I feel that it? s more important to evaluate what it meant and how good it was for its time. This was one of the best matched of the 1990s. It also introduced a stipulation that has become synonymous with wrestling. Two of the best delivered a captivating story with a massive payoff. 5 stars, 10 out of 10."
[10.0] "The first ever Hell In A Cell and probably the best one, both Undertaker and Shawn always work amazing together. The spots were great like the fall off the side of the cage and the debut of Kane was perfect and just adds to how amazing this whole match is. *****"
[9.0] "The first and still greatest Hell in a Cell match ever. Michaels' cocky heelishness works to perfection here as Undertaker, the undead brute, unleashes his fists and feet onto Michaels. Shawn's bloody visage matches the emotional lengths he goes to in the match, desperate to escape Taker's offense. The table bump was a thing of beauty, but even better was the debut of Kane. Properly cinematic and dramatic, it makes the Big Red Monster seem like a huge deal. Pure WWE spectacle at its finest, ****3/4."
[10.0] "A legendary match for more than one reason. This was two of the best of all time attempting to put the new gimmick match on the map, and they did so flawlessly. The cocky prettyboy being locked alone with the man looking for revenge is classic, but Taker and Michaels brutalized each other to really sell not only this story, but the cell itself. It may be the first, but it is one of the best Cell matches ever done. And who can forget that ending?"
[9.0] "This was the First ever Hell in a Cell match and one of the most important if not the most important match of the 90s. Shawn Michaels and Undertaker will have other fantastic encounters during the course of the years precisely at WrestleMania as we all well know but if we talk about their feud during the 90s this is their absolute best and is probably the best Undertaker's match of the "Decade of destruction". I watched it a lot of times and for me, a WWE Fan that got in love with Sport Entertainment during the first half of 2000s Hell in a Cell was something "well known" but I can imagine what it was for WWF Fans back then, seeing such a Cage and the battle that Michaels and Taker went throught inside of it. The two had already a match during the previous months at In Your House Ground Zero and they delivered but this one blowed everyone's mind away. The story of Shawn Michaels "scared" about the Prince of Darkness (in his scariest version ever) that tried to outsmart the Deadman, Michaels hitting a cameraman (the cameraman will play a great role also in their wonderful match at Mania XXV) and using the opening of the door for taking him out and get medical attention to go outside of the cell and gets the match evolved outside of it where Undertaker beated the hell out of HBK ending with throwing Michaels from the top of the cell (or so) into an announce table and of course the big ending where Taker was ready to deliver his Tombstone Piledriver to finish the match but, well, you know it, Kane after months of anticipation, debuted inside WWE, smashing Hell in a Cell's door hitting Undertaker with a Tombstone of his own and allowing to Shawn Michaels to win the match in what at that time was probably the most shocking moment ever in World Wrestling Federation. The match was so outstanding and the impact it had on Wrestling history was unbeliavable: this victory allowed Michaels to become WWF champion in what was known as the Montreal Screwjob in 1997 Survivor Series event, it will led to one of the biggest feuds in WWE history in Undertaker vs Kane and will change the company forever making the Hell in a Cell one of the most popular and iconic "Gimmick Matches" ever in Sport Entertainment. Many insiders consider this to be the best Hell in a Cell ever still to this days after 23 years and this makes the point about how good Undertaker & Michaels performance was that night. Rating: 9+"
[10.0] "Yeah this was an incredible match, a true classic of the Attitude Era. In my opinion, this is also probably still the greatest hell in a cell match as well. HBK and Taker had an absolute, beating the hell out of one another and making excellent use of the environment, they were at their absolute best here. Plus, this match saw the amazing debut of Kane, which despite being an interference in the match, was perfectly executed and established Kane as a monstrous threat. The ending was awesome stuff, with the beaten up ref just slowly making the 3 count, a perfect way to exemplify the grueling war these men had to go through to make this amazing match happen. One of the best. *****"
[10.0] "The original (And arguably best) Hell in a Cell match. What I love about this is that it isn't just a great match but it's also a great payoff to the Michaels and Undertaker feud, as Michaels gets the beating all the fans wanted to see him get, but then Kane shows up to help him sneak a win and then move both men off in different directions. If you MUST have a heel win the blow off, then this is the prototypical way of doing it. A great match and great booking to watch. A+ Rating"
[10.0] "Simply put, this is one of the greatest matches of all time. I actually like this even more than their Wrestlemania matches from over a decade later. Shawn took one of the most brutal beatings that I think I've ever seen in a match ever, he was a broken, bloody mess by the end of this match. That makes The Undertaker look like an unstoppable monster, until his brother came out and looked even more unstoppable by taking him down with one Tombstone. I love how Shawn had to crawl and cover with one hand to win the match, because he was so beaten up that he could barely move. Incredible match, maybe the best match in the WWF in 1997 or perhaps of the entire decade."
[6.0] "Like, it was good. If I'd never seen a HiaC, or any of its iterations (Elimination Chamber, etc) I may have loved it too. I was a bit too young when this happened to have vivid enough of a memory to be nostalgic for the match itself and while it's still pretty good, it really falls flat compared to the insane hype around it. The Kane debut was... ahem.. fire, but that's not really part of the match and even if it was, this is a totality thing, so it wouldn't help that much."
[6.0] "I'm a bit disappointed. I seen so much good reviews about this match, but the first tier is just Shawn Michael overselling every move and it's not funny at all. Past this, the match gets great but it's too late... What a shame."
[10.0] "The first ever Hell in a Cell match could not have been any better. It set the standard for every Hell in a Cell match that ever followed, a fact that almost killed Mick Foley in trying to live up to the hype. And like the ladder match from WrestleMania X, which also coincidentally featured Shawn Michaels, it is imitated relentlessly, but has never been duplicated or matched. And to top it off, the end featured one of the most successful debuts in WWF/E history with the introduction of Kane. An all time WWF/E classic. ****3/4-*****"
[10.0] "Yes. The debut of the biggest grudge stipulation with Shawn Michaels looking to get his comeuppance against a pissed off Undertaker. Then the debut of Kane happened. Shawn goes to make history against Bret and Taker/Kane have arguably the best rivalry of the era. And it all came from this match *****"
[10.0] "Marvelous HIAC match. These two wrestlers truly performed at the level they were. Great in ring performing, great storyline hyping, great characteristic showing... (*****)"
[9.0] "Would have given it an 8 normally but Kane's debute is unforgettable and epic. Also, its the first hell in a cell match so that's a nice extra."
[10.0] "So witzig wie damals Sgt. Slaughter unter dem Ring mit einer Taschenlampe schaute ob da nicht wer unten versteckt war. Wurde dann nie wieder gemacht. Legendär, der Suicide Dive von Shawn an dem Taker, der Sturz von Shawn durch das Kommentaren Pult, Kanes erster Auftritt wie der Tombstone am Taker. Also ja ich kenne das Match auch schon sehr gut. Mehrfach auch schon angeschaut. All-Time Klassiker. Eins der besten Hell In A Cell Matches überhaupt (****3/4)."
[10.0] "Excellent match. Easily Shawn Michaels' best match. Maybe Taker's too. Although I'm leaning towards Brock No Mercy 2002. Everything in the prior months culminated here. Shawn being a total chicken shit, Taker being an ass kicker to no end. Kane! Shawn really put in a shift. His selling and bumping, usually aspects of his game that I dislike, was fantastic. It all made sense and put over the story perfectly. Taker looked superb too. His punches looked much better. Had tons of aggression and hatred in his assaults. It's near perfect however, I have a rule about whether it gets the full five or not - if I have to think about whether it is or not, then it's not. ****3/4"
[9.0] "This was an excellent brawl, one of the better performances of both men's career, with Michaels bumping like crazy to make Undertaker look like a monster."
[10.0] "By far, even more so than Foley/Taker the following year, the greatest HELL in a CELL match in history... Extraordinarily groundbreaking concept, and WWE's two most dedicated stars at the time went out there and delivered in ways never before seen and never expected."
[10.0] "I've always loved the vibe this has as they're first locked inside the cell & Taker just starts slowly walking towards Michaels, knowing that he will get his hands on him soon & that there's no place for HBK to hide. It's pretty dark - it reminds me of the ol' movie cliche-dynamic w/ there being that one high school bully who makes fun of the different "weirdo" in class. This time, here in the World Wrestling Federation, the weirdo is a huge asskicking monster who is about to show why you should not make fun of him. It's a feeling that is truly unique & hasn't been replicated before or since. Taker just kicking HBK's ass is so good & HBK's bumping is at it's best here; doesn't go overboard with it one bit. HBK's brief hope spots ALL rule, and then his eventual heat segment on Taker (& the cameraman) rules big time. My favorite of the whole package is Taker's last asskicking segment tho - he just beats the crap out of HBK all over the place, and it's WONDERFUL. Then when HBK is bloody & just straight up DONE, having received the asskicking of his career? Enter KANE. The debut is something that could've brought the match quality down quite a bit, but it actually adds to it & the finish so much; HBK, half dead & all, pinning Taker & then leaving as the winner always makes me smile. It's a perfect ending to a perfect match. *****"
[6.0] "I really don't follow what exactly it is about this HIAC match that makes it so special. I have seen better. Not a bad match but this has always confused me a bit."
[7.0] "A good match, but a bit too long and I feel like there was some big holes in the story regrading Triple H, Rude & Chyna. The debut of Kane was fine."
[10.0] "The first ever HIAC match is probably the best ever, if not 2nd or 3rd. Nearly everything is perfect, the pace, the action, the spots, and the story, my god the story. Michaels got himself into a horrible situation and all he wants to do is get out of it alive. Michaels spends most of the match just trying to stay away from Undertaker, only attacking when he knows he has the advantage, but in the end, Taker catches Shawn trying to escape from the cage and lays into him for the rest of the match. Taker beats up Shawn on the ramp, throws him into the cell, beats him up on top of the cell then causes Shawn to fall and break the announce table. Taker looks to have it won until BY GAWD Kane debuts and tombstones Taker as both Taker and Shawn look on in horror. The match both (supposedly) ends a feud and immediately leads into another one. Absolutely stellar story but that's not the only good thing about the match. Shawn's selling kicks into another gear in this match, everything Taker dishes out gets a great bump from Shawn but it's not over the top either like Summerslam 2005. There are brilliant spots like the piledriver on the steel steps. Even the camerawork is stellar as every angle adds to the action perfectly as well as Michaels' bumping on the cameramen. *****"
[10.0] "The best Hell in a Cell ever and arguably the best match in WWE history. The story of the match was amazing and the psychology was out of this world. They played of the chair shot which started the feud with Shawn using the chair shots to beat Undertaker down and Taker using a sick chair shot at the end to get revenge. Also, the way they escaped the Cell was masterful and gave them a reason to climb the cage for Shawn to fall of the cage that worked with the story of the match. Shawn was known in the past to get angry with camera mean getting in his way and this time he snapped. The best performance of each mans career and the best match they ever had together. A perfect match."
[10.0] "For me, this was better than the matches these two had at Wrestlemania. If you don't believe me than just go watch it. Some of bumps these two took, the story, Kane's debut... this was a masterpiece - *****"
[10.0] "We? ve perhaps become desensitised to Hell in a Cell now, with how often it? s dragged out, and it even having its own branded PPV. But this was the first, and if anything, the roughness to it, the growing pains with trying to grasp the format with the performers and even the cameras, adds to its raw power. Unlike a cage match, there? s no focus on escape, it? s all about the promise of these two hurting each other that has the live crowd rabid. And hurt is certainly inflicted, on Shawn Michaels in particular. He gets the crap kicked out of him in this match, and has one of the nastier blade jobs I? ve seen, it? s like watching a mugging! At the time of watching this on first airing as a kid, I was kinda willing it to end to get to the much anticipated and expected arrival of Kane, and it was the second Hell in a Cell against Mankind the following year that wowed me. But watching this one back now I have a whole new appreciation for the viciousness of this fight, and the dynamite performances put in by The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. Bret Hart may have been champion, and Steve Austin may have had the most buzz around him, but at this moment, these two were arguably the two best acts in wrestling."
[10.0] "This match is probably the all-time ultimate as far as pro wrestling spectacles go. If you want to show anyone why wrestling is awesome, you can always rely on this match to pull them in. There's crazy storylines, stables, solid heels & faces, bloodshed, a gimmick, multiple highspots, and an awesome twist ending to boot. About as good as it gets."
[10.0] "This my favorite Taker/Michaels match because the story told and the debut of Kane. Its close to perfect as it gets at this point in wrestling you have a table spot before there was one every ppv. You have blood, chair shots, and big bumps. The one Shawn takes over the top rope omg! It's two legend in there primes telling a perfect story what else can I say *****"
[9.0] "What an amazing match it had everything you could want, a great story line, great characters, a good crowd, and good commentators. The in the ring action was everything it should have been, ruthless and intense. Using the steel and the structure as much as they could to build up the Hell of the match. It really is a guide in how to do a great HiC match. When you add in a great Kane debut you get an amazing match. Probably one of, if not the best matches I have ever seen."
[10.0] "Dies ist dann in der Tat das erste HIC der Historie - und es ist en blutiges und knallhartes Inferno für Michaels, welcher am Ende nicht einmal mehr genug Kraft hat, diesen überglücklichen Zufallstriumph entsprechend zu feiern. Es ist zudem eine intensive und psychologisch vorbildlich vermittelte Abreibung für den wankelmütigen Dx-Anführer. In seiner Bedeutung für das heutige US-Wrestling ist diese Partie dem Leitermatch von Wrestlemania X nicht unähnlich - es ist ein Meilenstein dieser Matchart und auch heute noch eine wichtige Referenz. Ich ziehe meinen Hut vor der Selling Power von Shaen Michaels, selbst wenn er ungepinnt bleibt. Das Match sollte man sich Kontext der Hstorie dieser Matchart unbedingt einmal ansehen. Das ist mehr als ein würdiger Mainer."
[9.0] "Excellent match. Shawn selling the brutal beating very well and Undertaker coming across as an instrument of destruction. Kane making his awesome debut makes for epic viewing. ****1/2"
[10.0] "Es ist für mich immernoch das beste Hell In A Cell Match aller Zeiten und wahrscheinlich die herausragendste Leistung in der Karriere von Shawn Michaels. Der Anfang das Matches ist wie von vielen schon beschrieben etwas einseitig und dementsprechend auch nicht besonders spannend, jedoch erzählen die 2 hier eine geniale Geschichte mit einem Michaels der kurz vor Beginn des Matches in Panik gerät und erst dann realisiert in was für eine Lage er sich gebracht und einem Taker, der sich auf Beutezug befindet. Das Selling von Michaels in dieser Phase ist enorm stark und Taker wird wie ein absolutes Monster dargestellt. Der Piledriver auf die Ringtreppe konnte auch überzeugen und gab dem Match dann eine komplett andere Richtung bis dann der Kameramann ausgeknockt wurde. So konnte man logisch erklären, weshalb die Käfigtur geöffnet werden musste und als beide auf den Käfig gingen musste man sowieso kurz seinen Atem anhalten. Der Spot auf den Tisch war auch stark gemacht und die letzte Rachenahme vom Taker mit dem Stuhlschlag fast schon poetisch, wenn man bedenkt, dass diese Fehde so auch ihren Anfang fand. Dann kam das Debut von Kane, was gut gemacht war, aber vor allem auch aufgrund der Qualität dieses Matches immer in Erinnerung bleiben wird für WWE Fans. Dem Match selbst hat es jedoch nicht geholfen und das uncleane Finish verhindert am Ende dann eine 5 Sterne Bewertung von mir. Trotzdem war es eines der besten Matches in einem WWE Ring und neben dem Hart vs. Austin Match des beste Match in diesem Jahr. **** 3/4 (2)"
[10.0] "Das erste HIAC-Match und dazu noch eines der besten aller Zeiten. Die Story mit Michaels, der hier ohne Hilfe seiner Kameraden in der Zelle eingesperrt war und Taker der hier Michales leiden lassen wollte wurde schön erzählt. Undertaker macht Michaels hier total fertig und benutzt die Zelle als Waffe. Michaels sellt hier perfekt und lässt den Taker brutal aussehen. Sie sind dann auch aus der Zelle rausgekommen und auf sie geklettert. Michaels wird durch einen Ansagertisch befördert und liegt Blut überströmt auf dem Boden. Hier dachte man sich das es für ihn vorbei wäre, doch dann passierte eines der besten Debuts aller Zeiten. Kane konfrontiert hier den Taker, Tombstone Piledriver und Michaels holt sich den Sieg. Ein sehr tolles Match und eines der besten in der WWE(*****)."
[10.0] "Eines der besten Wrestlemania Matches aller Zeiten. Eines der besten Matches in den Karrieren beider Männer. Beide hatten einfach zusammen immer so eine großartige Chemie und schaffen es hier noch im recht hohen alter und am baldigen Ende ihrer Karrieren ein absolut Fantastisches Match auf die beide zu stellen. Das war pure Magie. Es stimmte einfach alles. *****"
[10.0] "Sometimes the first is the best, and in the case of the Hell in a Cell that saying is very true. The match itself was very enjoyable and both Michaels and Taker had a clear motive and built the match on a great cat and mouse dynamic. Michaels heat building moment with the camera man was different and wasn't just a 'here's a cool unique spot'. That they used it as a means to take the fight to the outside was brilliant, and to top off an otherwise fantastic 4 and a half star bout (by my grade, maybe a 4 3/4) they threw in the debut of The Undertakers brother and made him look like the monster he'd been built up to be. That was perfect, and that put this match way over for me. Its the second or third greatest finish in the history of the WWE (only a bit behind Hart/Austin WM 13, about tied with Edge/Foley WM 22)."
[9.0] "A classic and nearly-perfect 90s WWF match. Michaels is brilliant, and Undertaker carries his own. The first 10 minutes is basically just Michaels selling and bumping and getting destroyed. Then he mounts a comeback. He plays such a brilliant heel, and the angle of attacking the cameraman and then opening the cell to get him out is just incredibly done. Of course there is the bump through the table from the side of the cell. It's just classic shit! The ONLY thing wrong with this match is the ending. I know this was the arrival of Kane, and it set up basically like a decade of storylines, but what a terrible way to end what would have otherwise been one of the 5 or 10 best matches in the history of WWF..."
[6.0] "I know its the first Hell in a Cell match and had the debut of Kane, but the match is just above average for me. It was too long and too slow paced for my liking. It did set the standard for Hell in a Cell matches, but I think several others exceeded this one."
[10.0] "Überragend gebookt mit dem Kameramann und dann ging es sogar aufs Dach und das die beiden perfekt harmonieren hat dem Match sehr gut getan. Keine Sekunde langweilig, so bringt man eine Matchart over, durch den Bonus das erste HIAC zu sehen, ein (*****) Match."
[10.0] "The greatest Hell In The Cell match ever , loved seeing The Undertaker beat the shit out of Shawn Michaels .... Shawn sold the beating like a pro while Undertaker played the intimidating unstoppable big man excellently ..... a classic with a unforgettable ending / debut of Kane."
[10.0] "Micheals vs. Undertaker kann einfach nicht schlecht sein. Das war das erste ihrer drei legendären Aufeinandertreffen und für mich bewegt es sich auf dem selbem Niveau wie die beiden WM Matches der beiden. Man kann eine Matchstory einfach nicht viel besser erzählen( wenn überhaupt) und auch technisch gesehen ist das weltklasse. Micheals und der Taker spielen das einfach perfekt und man kann die Charaktere einfach perfekt erkennen. Das Match hatte die Story Aspekte, legendäre Momente, technische Weltklasse, eine historische Bedeutung und eine gewisse Brutalität. Was will man den mehr? Der Eingriff von Kane hat das Match für mich übrigens sogar noch besser gemacht. (****3/4)."
[10.0] "Ohne Zweifel ein Meilenstein! Es eröffnete die Möglichkeiten dieser Art Match und wurde von der Technik her NIE getoppt (die Brutalität ist eine andere Frage)! Das Einzige was stören könnte, wäre der Eingriff von Kane, aber der geht schon irgendwie in Ordnung!"
[10.0] "Dieses Match ist einfach so historisch, da kann man eigentlich nur die 10 ziehen. Die Anfangsphase gehört wie schon bei Ground Zero dem Taker, aber mit Laufe der Matchzeit übernimmt HBK das Geschehen. Clevere Taktik, als er den Kammeramann attackiert um zu fliehen. Das sollte ihn aber nicht zu Gute kommen denn er muss auf die Zelle und durch den Tisch. Der Taker fertigt HBK ab, bis Kane zu seinem historischen Debut kommt. Man muss mal wieder das grandiose Selling von HBK loben. Volle 10."
[10.0] "Das erste HiaC Match ist auch das MotN. Der Undertaker vermöbelt hier HBK nach Strich & Faden. Doch dieser attackiert während des Verlaufs einen Kameramann und kann fliehen. Es sollten einige historische Momente folgen wie z. B. der erste Kampf auf der Zelle und HBKs Sturz durch den Tisch. Schlussendlich, wo es schon nach dem Sieg des Takers aussah, kommt es zum Debut von Kane. Historisch sicher ein ganz wichtiges Match in der WWE Geschichte."
[10.0] "A huge Hell in a Cell match for the innovation. It's great in the cage and much better when they go to the roof. Shawn Michaels bump on the table isn't risky like the one of Mankind, but he seemed really hurt. Also, there is the hyped debut of Kane, just perfect stuff for an impressive conclusion. Legendary. *****"
[7.0] "I find this match to be pretty overrated, but its not totally awful either. They did a nice job at bringing the story into the match, and Undertaker gives Shawn quite a beating here, but Shawn totally oversells in this match, and I was not a fan of the over booking imo. Good match, but not a great one. ***"
[6.0] "Firstly, HBK oversells a lot of Undertaker's moves and makes them feel like carnival tricks rather than bone-breaking actions. There's also too much focus on throwing each other into the cage walls and just general out of ring action. As is usual with these no DQ matches, the wrestling aspect of the match is heavily diminished for the sake of spots to impress the audience. These spots aren't even all that impressive anyways. The cage walls are clearly very bouncy and therefore likely rather soft to be thrown into or dropped onto, and HBK falling onto the announce-table while hanging onto the top of the cage didn't look nearly as bad as it was intended to be. HBK sells some of these spots as if they were painful, but sadly you can't teach the inanimate objects to sell their anatomy better. Kane's debut did make things really interesting at the end, although his surprise attack on Undertaker was underwhelming when his kick to Undertaker's abdomen looked weak and he spent ages holding Undertaker in the Tombstone Piledriver position while constantly turning around before weakly dropping to his knees and allowing Undertaker's body to fall forward rather than downwards onto his head. I did at least like how HBK manages to pin Undertaker despite his massive beating due to Kane's interference. Overall, this match seems to be regarded highly due to its historical prominence rather than its match quality. ***1/4"
[10.0] "I love how this match works in stages. The first stage sees Undertaker methodically beat down Michaels which works within the story of the match. Then Michaels does everything possible to take control only for Undertaker to no sell it all by doing the zombie sit-up, which I normally hate but works within the context of the feud. The final stage has Undertaker beat Michaels all over the cell, with my favourite part being Undertaker grating Michaels face on top of the cage while the camera man stands underneath causing Michaels blood to drip onto the camera lens. Of course Kane makes his debut just as Undertaker goes for the finish and costs him the match."
[9.0] "This match was insane, with dangerous moves and a good final. But i think this match it is not *****, because The Undertaker vs Mankind was better than this. So i mark this match with ****3/4"
[8.0] "This was a great piece of historical importance, both being the first ever Hell in a Cell and the first appearance of Kane. It was a good match but was far from the best HIAC in my opinion. Many of the cells which were to come over the next 10 years were far more superior in my eyes and thus only an 8 from me here."
[7.0] "Really good big man versus little man match. Shawn Michaels did a great job of playing the heel and in using believable offense by using his body to hurt the Undertaker. *** 1/2 stars out of 5."
[10.0] "A true 5 star match, great offense from Taker and awesome (occasionally over the top) selling from Shawn, plus the first ever top of the cell spots AND one of the greatest all time debuts, that of Kane. Excellent match."
[9.0] "Sicherlich eines der besten Matches dieser Matchart. Der Anfang war etwas träge, wobei man die Käfigwand und den Zwist zwischen HBK und dem Kameramann gut eingebunden hat. Für mich wirkte HBK zu Beginn des Matches etwas zu dominant, da man hier den Spielplatz vom Undertaker präsentiert hat und Michaels nicht überlegen wirken sollte. Die Bumps und das intensive Debüt von Kane machen dieses Match dann aber zu einem legendären."
[9.0] "Grandioses Debut einer großartigen Matchart, die über die Jahre leider ihren Zauber verloren hat. Michaels bumpt und blutet wie ein irrer, der Deadman ist einfach Badass und das Finish ist für die Geschichtsbücher. Großes Kino! ****3/4."
[9.0] "Das erste und wahrscheinlich beste Hell in a Cell Match ever. HBK steckt hier ein zeigt, dass hinter dem Schönling doch ein echter Kerl steckt. Das Debut von Kane stört nicht großartig und ebnet in seiner Konsequenz den Weg Shawn Michaels zur Survivor Series und damit dem legendären Montreal Screwjob. Alle Achtung HBK Shawn Michaels!"
[10.0] "1997 was a great year for wrestling matches whereas this would have been a MOTY in most other years but with two matches better it winds up second or third depending where you place it. The debut of Kane is a major storyline as he is the only wrestler brought is specifically for the Undertaker to feud with and survived past the initial storyline to have a decent WWF career. The Hell in a Cell concept was new but Shawn and Taker went far beyond the call of duty to make this entertaining; great match. *****"
[10.0] "Maybe the best match in wwe history. Little traditional wrestling, but so many innovative spots, that after watching the match I was speechless. 5 stars"
[9.0] "Wirklich gutes Debut für Hell in a Cell. Die beiden verlangen sich wirklich alles ab, vorallem HBK muss einiges einstecken (cooler Bump, der allerdings später von Mick Foley noch getoppt wurde). Allerdings war der Anfang etwas dröge, so dass es nicht zur Höchstwertung reicht. Auch das Finish ist nicht wirklich meins. Aber da es ein wirklich wichtiges Debut war und sich eine epische Fehde daraus entwickelte, ziehe ich keine Punkte ab."
[10.0] "Ohne Taker gegen HHH im Käfig gesehen zu haben, wage ich zu behaupten, dass dieses Hell In A Cell Match das beste seiner Art bis dato war. Natürlich wird Mankind gegen den Undertaker aufgrund der Bumps von Mankind immer mehr in den Köpfen der Fans sein (die ja noch krasser waren als HBKs Fall vom Käfig). Michaels muss hier aber wirklich gewaltig einstecken, vermutlich mehr als im Rest des Jahres zusammengenommen. Immer wieder kommt er kurz zurück und das Auftauchen von Kane ist natürlich ein Holy-Shit Moment. Der Undertaker steckt natürlich ebenfalls viel ein, aber an HBK kommt er bei weitem nicht ran. Mehr ist eigentlich nicht zu sagen, außer: 10 Punkte!"
[9.0] "Erstes HiaC-Match der Geschichte und gleich ein unglaublicher Erfolg. Das Match war zwar im Prinzip dreigeteilt (-erst war der Undertaker überlegen, dann HBK und dann war es ein hin- und her -) aber hier stimmte fast alles auch wenn HBK am Ende ein wenig ZU fertig aussah, aber das gehört zu einem Match wie diesem, welches ein wichtiger Mosaikstein der Attitude-Ära sein sollte, einfach dazu. Und Kanes Debüt hat den ganzen Spaß abgerundet. Weit vorne liegt diese Match bei mir zwar nicht, aber es gehört dennoch zu den denkwürdigsten und nachhaltigsten. Für 10 Punkte reicht es aber dennoch nicht ganz."
[10.0] "Das erste Hell in a Cell hielt was es versprach. Ein sehr hart geführtes, aber durchaus gutes Match. Beide geben hier wirklich alles und auch das Blut passt da gut rein und allgemeint hatte ich beim anschauen immer das Gefühl, dass die Chemie zwischen den Beiden einfach stimmt. Kane`s Debut sorgt zwar für ein für mich nicht so tolles Finish, leitet jedoch eine epische Fehde ein, weshalb ich dafür keine Punkte abziehe. Das Match verdient sich daher die Höchstpunktzahl, da es auch in der Matchart nie wieder getopt wurde, sieht man von Taker vs Mankind mal ab."
[10.0] "Was für eine brilliante Matchart da geschaffen wurde, Shawn Michaels blutet und bumpt wie verrückt und das Debüt von Kane machen dieses Match episch."
[8.0] "Es ist ein gutes HiaC-Match, aber das beste, als das es viele hinstellen, ist es nun auch wieder nicht. Da haben mir HHH/Foley, Taker/Lesnar und Taker/Edge etwas besser gefallen. Doch im Grunde geht dieses Match mehr in die Richtung ”HiaC is Boxbude”, da HBK nur gelegentlich gegen den Deadman auftrumpfen kann. Überwiegend übernimmt der Taker das Kommando und kloppt das Gesicht des Showstoppers zu einer blutigen Masse. Nichtmal von der Sweet Chin Music lässt er sich beeindrucken. Denkwürdig hingegen das Finish mit dem Debüt von Kane."
[10.0] "Das wohl beste Hell in a Cell aller Zeiten. Was die beiden da geboten haben war einfach nur sensationell Die fünf Sterne sind hier mehr als verdient."
[9.0] "Ein sicherlich sehr starkes und hartes Match, dass den Grundstein für den Mythos Hell in a Cell gelegt hat und für die damalige Zeit eine absolute Sensation darstellte. Jedoch weist es im Gegensatz zu z. B. Batista/Undertaker oder Batista/Triple H einige Längen auf. Diese kann es jedoch größtenteils durch dass starke Debüt Kanes wieder ausgleichen."
[10.0] "Das erste HiaC-Match war wohl das beste. HBK sellt wie immer grandios, der Undertaker ebenfalls fantastisch. Dazu noch das Debut von Kane. Ein unvergessliches Match."
[8.0] "Schlecht war es bestimmt nicht, aber jetzt so toll wie die meisten anderen hier fand ich es nicht. Da gefiel mir persönlich das Hell in a Cell Match zwischen Egde und dem Taker beim Summerslam besser. ****"
[10.0] "Die Schablone, nein, eher die Messlatte für alle zukünftigen Hell in a Cell Matches. Die Involvierung der Zelle ist vorbildlich und auch die Bumps sind der Wahnsinn. Das Debüt Kanes gibt dem ganzen nochmal einen speziellen (positiven) Beigeschmack..."
[10.0] "Das erste Hell in a Cell Match. Und mit eines der besten. Undertaker kloppt Michaels kreuz und quer auf und durch die Zelle und als er Michaels finishen will, debütiert Kane und sorgt dafür das der Undertaker nicht WWF Champion wird. Klasse Match mit gut gebooktem Ende."
[8.0] "Bisher meiner Meinung nach das drittstärkste HiaC, die ***** sind deutlich zu hoch. Vielleicht **** 1/4, da es DEUTLICH hinter dem HHH vs. Foley Match hinterherhinkt. Das Match hat zwar klasse Bumbs und ein gutes Finish, aber es gibt auch leerlauf, zum Beispiel, als es aus dem Käfig hinaus ging."
[10.0] "Mit dem ersten Hell in a Cell hat man damals alles richtig gemacht, mit HBK und dem Taker hatte man dann auch 2 Leute in Ring, die eine hervorragende Matchstory erzählen konnten. Das Finish mit dem debütierenden Kane sorgt dann auch für einen der atmosphärisch stärksten Momente der WWE Geschichte."
[10.0] "Eins meiner absoluten Lieblingsmatches und für das damalige Wrestling mit den damals geltenden Maßstäben und dem neuartigen Konzept verdiente *****... extrem guter Klassiker..."
[10.0] "Großartiges Match, dass Maßstäbe setzte, ich muss allerdings sagen, dass es mich zu Beginn nicht wirklich mitriss. Dann aber ging es nach draußen und das Aufeinandertreffen wurde eine unvergleichliche, blutige Schlacht. Dazu das Eingreifen von Kane und Michaels unglaubliches Bumpen und Sellen, schon hat man einen Klassiker."
[10.0] "Geniales match! Der Taker wird als Monster dargestellt aber irgendwie schaffts Michaels doch immer wieder, sich zu wehren. Besser als das match gegen foley bei KotR weil nicht so viele Längen eingebaut sind. Das Kane Debüt lässt auch den taker nicht schwach aussehen!"
[10.0] "Beim Debüt der HiaC-Matchart holt man eigentlich schon alles aus der Stipulation was möglich ist. Intensiv geführt, Einsatz von Foreign Objects, vorzüglicher Einbezug des Käfigs, spektkuläre Bumps und ein sinnvoll eingesetzter Bladejob ! HBK war in diesem Match absolut göttlich und er versteht es wohl wie kein Zweiter den Undertaker als einen übermenschlichen, übermächtigen Charakter darzustellen. Kritik gibt es von mir nur wenig, der Taker war mir teilweise ein bisschen zu dominant und es gab auch 1-2 kleine Upfucks, aber das fällt nicht ins Gweicht. Es war wahrlich die Hölle auf Erden ! Legendär !"
[9.0] "In der Tat verdient das Match seinen legendären Ruf voll und ganz. Allerdings würde ich aus heutiger Sicht keine ***** Sterne geben. Dafür empfand ich die Anfangsphase des Matches zu träge. Mittlerweile gibt es meiner Meinung nach ein paar Hell in a Cell Matches, die das selbe, wenn nicht sogar ein höheres Niveau erreicht haben. Dennoch soll dies das erste Hell in a Cell Match zwischen Shawn Michaels und dem Undertaker nicht schmälern. Persönliche Wertung: **** 1/2"
[8.0] "Also ich kann die ganzen 10/10 Wertungen auch nicht unterstützen. Klar, das erste Hell in a Cell war an sich schon ein sehr gutes und neues Match und mit dem Eingreifen von Kane debütierte ein neuer Charakter mit einem richtigen Wumms. Aber irgendwo ist das Ende für das Match an sich nicht ganz die beste Wahl gewesen und spätere Hell in a Cells toppten dieses hier in Sachen Matchqualität. Um es anders zu sagen: Dieses Match hielt der Zeit nicht ganz stand. Historisch wichtig, sehr gut, aber inzwischen hat man das alles schon besser und intensiver gesehen."
[10.0] "Ein absolut fantastisches Match. Zuerst sicherts sich Undertaker, dann HBK und dann wieder Undertaker die Vorteile. Die beiden haben eine Weltklasseleistung gebracht die meiner Meinung nach nur sehr selten erreicht wurde. Also ein Match das wirklich jeder Wrestling-Fan, ob nun Undertaker oder Shawn Michaels Fan oder nicht, unbedingt gesehen haben sollte."
[10.0] "Eindeutig das beste HIAC aller Zeiten! Was war das schön zu sehen, wie es der Taker HBK alles heimzahlte! Mir wäre nur ein anderer Sieger lieber gewesen aber die Umstände dazu lassen es einigermaßen verkraften! Hammer!"
[10.0] "Grandioses und unglaublich hartes Match. Das Finish mit dem eingreifenden Kane war dem Kampf nicht unbedingt würdig (storylinetechnisch absolut genial, aber das Match hätte einfach "clean" enden müssen), was allerdings an der Bestnote nichts ändert."
[8.0] "So ganz verstehe ich den Hype nicht. Klar, es war ein tolles Match, aber nur weil der Observer 5 Sterne gibt muss man mitziehen? Ich habe mir das Match angeschaut und muss sagen, dass ich mit Sicherheit sagen kann, dass dies nicht eines der besten Matches aller Zeiten war. Mir fallen auf Anhieb etliche Matches ein die besser waren. Ein tolles Match, keine Frage, aber perfekt sieht für mich anders aus. Sehenswert ist es dennoch. Was mich auch etwas gestört hat war das Finish, weswegen es auch noch mal einen kleinen Punktabzug gab."
[10.0] "Mit diesen Match startete die WWF in eine neue Zeit. Mit HiaC ging man ein neues Konzept ein, was beide Wrestler super umsetzten. Ohne dieses Match bin ich der Meinung hätten wir keine wiederstarkte WWF bekommen."
[10.0] "Bis heute weiterhin das beste Hell in a Cell Match aller Zeiten. Was für eine unglaubliche Härte und was für ein verdammt genialer Shawn Michaels! Besser hätte man die neue Matchart nicht debutieren können. Der Cage-Bump von Michaels mag weniger brutal sein als die beiden Foley Stürze ein halbes Jahr später, aber IMO kommt er zu diesem Zeitpunkt im Match einfach viel besser rüber. Auch die Rolle eines wirklich gnadenlosen Undertakers, welcher nur durch den überaschenden Auftritt seines Bruders gestopt werden konnte, rundet diesen Klassiker perfekt ab. Schade, dass kein weiteres HIAC Match danach noch solch einen grandiosen Matchablauf hatte (auch wenn es natürlich dennoch einige weitere wirklich gute Hell in a Cell Matches gab)."
[10.0] "Richtig brutal vorallem da HBK immer und immer wieder ohne Schutz in die Zelle gerammt wurde. Der Eingriff von Kane hat auch nich gestört für mich klar 5 Sterne da dieses Match die Maßstäbe für kommende HIAC Matches sau hoch gelegt hat!"
[10.0] "Ein Match, das neue Maßstäbe setzte und die Benotung mit 10 Punkten ist fast schon Pflicht: der Auftakt der Hell in a Cell Matches und dann auch noch eins der Besten! Das Finish mit dem Debüt von Kane fand ich auch sehr gelungen! Etwas übertrieben war, wenn überhaupt, dass der Taker nicht mehr auskicken konnte, obowhl Earl Hebner ca. 30 Sekunden brauchte, um bis 3 zu zählen."
[10.0] "Erstes HiaC-Match und gleichzeitig eines der besten Matches überhaupt. Sehr intensiv geführt. Shawn mit heftigen Bumps und ein Finish mit einem Run In wie die WWE es selten geschafft hat. Kane zeigte zwei Aktionen (Zellentür rausgerissen, Tombstone gezeigt) und war sofort gefürchtet. Dieses Match ist einfach ein Klassiker."
[10.0] "Eines der besten Matches aller Zeiten, auch wenn mir das Finish persönlich nicht zusagte. Natürlich überraschte man mit der lang angekündigten Ankunft von Kane, aber das der Undertaker dann nach einem Tombstone eine so lange Zeit auf der Matte verbringen durfte, war etwas unrealistisch. Dennoch ein sehr starkes und insbesondere intensives Match."
[10.0] "Großartiges Hell in a Cell Match zwischen zwei großartigen Wrestlern! Sehr spannend, reichlich Action, selbst das (meiner Meinung nach) etwas fade Finish ändert meine Bewertung nicht! Einfach gut!"
