DVD Review: WWE Hell in a Cell

Hell in a Cell: The Greatest Hell in a Cell Matches of All Time comes out this Tuesday, October 7th. Thereâs good news and better news. You get 15 complete Hell in a Cell matches. There were 16, you say (counting the most recent one at SummerSlam that is not featured). Okay, there is one missing. That would be the fifth Hell in a Cell that stunk up WrestleMania XV featuring The Undertaker versus The Big Boss Man.

That’s the better news. WWE says youâre welcome.

Hosted by a much scripted Mick Foley replete with an oversized sports coat covering a leopard-skin shirt (stick to the red flannel, Mick), the three discs cover the history of the âDevilâs Playground.â Itâs funny. Each match has its strong points from the first one on. Many consider the inaugural HIAC (with HBK and the â~Taker) the best, but give me the âDefining Matchâ against Mick âMankindâ Foleyâ and the Undertaker any day. What was defined was a career. Mick careening off the cell roof only to return to said roof and plummet to the ring below is still a cringeworthy moment.

The first HIAC is notable for a couple of reasons. The uncertainty and the drama behind it. No one knew what to expect. It was payback time for Shawn Michaels after he cost the Undertaker the WWF championship. Kane also made his debut, attacking his âbrother,â starting an on-again-off-again feud, and launching the career of one of the top superstars in the business today. Fans soon forgot about the dentist and faux Diesel.

Careers have been made and ended. Championships have been won and lost. Feuds have started and ended. Hell in a Cell remains a special moment. You never know when to expect it. No one pay-per-view owns the match exclusively. You truly get a feel of the significance of Hell in a Cell.

The DVD set is contained in a nice slipcover and it folds out into a portfolio of crimson masked wrestlers. Video is crisp and clear, as is the audio. The blurring of the scratch logo in a few matches is handled well and became hardly noticeable.

The commentary has its ups and downs. Itâs funny to see Vince McMahon doing the play-by-play for the first one, months before the nefarious âMr. McMahonâ was born. Say what you will, but he told a good story. And Jerry âThe Kingâ Lawyer as a heel commentator in 1997? Letâs just say he has improved dramatically.

A highly recommended and important slice of WWF/WWE history.

The specifics:

Disc 1

The Devil’s Playground

The Debut

Hell in a Cell

Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

Badd Blood (October 5, 1997)

RAW in Hell

Tag Team Hell in a Cell Match

Stone Cold Steve Austin & Undertaker vs. Mankind & Kane

RAW (June 15, 1998)

The Defining Match

Hell in a Cell

Undertaker vs. Mankind

King of the Ring (June 28, 1998)

Partners Turned Opponents

Hell in a Cell

Mankind vs. Kane

RAW (August 24, 1998)

Career on the Line

Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship (Cactus Jack’s Career is on the Line)

Triple H vs. Cactus Jack

No Way Out (February 27, 2000)

The Six Men

Six-Man Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship

Kurt Angle vs. Rikishi vs. The Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Triple H vs. Steve Austin

Armageddon (December 10, 2000)

Disc 2

End the Game

Hell in a Cell

Triple H vs. Chris Jericho

Judgment Day (May 19, 2002)

Earning Your Respect

Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship

Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

No Mercy (October 20, 2002)

Special Guest Referee

Hell in a Cell Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash

Bad Blood (June 15, 2003)

Good Friends Gone Bad

Hell in a Cell

Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H

Bad Blood (June 13, 2004)

Disc 3

The Animal’s Evolution

Hell in a Cell Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Batista vs. Triple H

Vengeance (June 26, 2005)