Shawn Michaels Reflects on Iconic First Hell in a Cell Match Ahead of Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk Showdown
As the WWE Universe gears up for the 53rd Hell in a Cell healthy at the imminent Bad Blood Premium Live Event in Atlanta, fans can’t assist but reminisce about the enduring first fit in the brutal metal structure. On October 5, 1997, Shawn Michaels confronted off in opposition to The Undertaker in a war this is now etched in wrestling records. With its unprecedented violence, storytelling, and the stunning debut of Kane, this healthy set the gold popular for the various Hell in a Cell contests that accompanied. But, for Michaels, getting into that ominous structure for the first time become greater than only a suit—it was a mental and bodily check unlike some other.
In a latest interview with The Ringer, the 2-time WWE Hall of Famer reflected on that ancient night time and how his approach to the Hell in a Cell idea was fueled through an awesome sense of obligation. He recalled his preliminary mind when seeing the metal monstrosity for the first time.
“I guess I always took pride in the fact that I was always the guinea pig—to see how some of these matches, these new ideas, these new, creative thoughts would work,” Michaels said. His tone was one of pride, yet tinged with the weight of pressure. He added with a chuckle, “One of the things I think that really worked to my advantage is that I wasn’t bright enough to understand that maybe I shouldn’t have been putting pressure on myself for those moments.”
For Michaels, the challenge wasn’t just surviving the match—it was doing something no one had ever seen before. As soon as he saw the cage’s massive structure, one thought consumed his mind: he had to get on top. “I can remember walking into St. Louis, seeing this unbelievable structure that they had built, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh, it would look like a playground. The first thing that I said is, ‘I got to get on top.’”
That instinct, bold and threatening, would lead to one of the maximum unforgettable moments in WWE records. During the match, Michaels and The Undertaker fought their way to the pinnacle of the mobile. And then came the fall—Michaels, knocked off the side of the cell with the aid of The Undertaker, crashed via the statement desk under, a coronary heart-preventing 12-foot drop that lovers nevertheless talk about to this present day.
The Hell in a Cell match wasn’t just about brute force; it was a showcase of chemistry between two legends. “The Undertaker and I had great chemistry every time we were in the ring with each other,” Michaels noted. “I feel like that’s exactly what we delivered that night, and not having any idea that it would become a regular part of something that would stand the test of time in the WWE.”
That night additionally marked the fiery debut of Kane, The Undertaker’s lengthy-lost brother, who ripped the door off the cell and delivered a thunderous Tombstone Piledriver to The Undertaker, allowing a bloodied and battered Michaels to move slowly over and steady the victory. The sight of Kane putting the hoop posts ablaze and wreaking havoc could forever be burned into the memories of fans, adding a legendary layer to an already unforgettable match.
Now, 27 years later, Hell in a Cell has turn out to be synonymous with mayhem, profession-defining moments, and, in some cases, career-shortening accidents. Michaels, whose days of daring stunts are behind him, stays a pivotal parent in WWE, now serving as the guiding force behind the NXT brand. He these days opened NXT’s debut at the CW Network in Chicago, ushering in a new era for the emblem he’s helped elevate to new heights.
As Drew McIntyre and CM Punk put together to step within the cellular at Bad Blood, they have huge shoes to fill. The fit promises to be as brutal as ever, with each guys vowing to make each different go through. But it’s safe to say that irrespective of how extreme their showdown receives, the echoes of that first Hell in a Cell in shape, and Shawn Michaels’ fearless jump into the unknown, will continually loom huge.
