WWE Hell in a Cell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids WWE Hell in a Cell
WWE Hell in a Cell logo
Information
Promotion(s)	WWE
Brand(s)	Raw (2009–2010, 2016, 2018–2022) SmackDown (2009–2010, 2017–2022) ECW (2009)
First event	2009
Last event	2022
Signature match types	Hell in a Cell match

WWE Hell in a Cell was a special yearly event created by WWE, a big professional wrestling company. This event was shown live on TV through a service called pay-per-view (PPV). Later, you could also watch it on streaming services like Peacock and the WWE Network.

The idea for the event came from a famous type of wrestling match called the Hell in a Cell match. In this match, wrestlers fight inside a huge, 20-foot-high steel cage that covers the wrestling ring and the area around it. The main match at each Hell in a Cell event always took place inside this special cage. Sometimes, one or two other Hell in a Cell matches also happened during the show.

The Hell in a Cell event first started in 2009. It took the place of another WWE event called No Mercy in October. Over the years, its date changed a few times, moving to September or June. The event was stopped after 2022. Its spot was then taken by a revived event called Night of Champions.

History of the Hell in a Cell Event

In 2009, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) asked fans to vote online for the name of their new October event. Fans chose "Hell in a Cell" over other names like "No Escape." The very first Hell in a Cell event took place on October 4, 2009.

At first, you could only watch Hell in a Cell events by buying them on pay-per-view. But starting with the 2014 event, fans could also watch it on the WWE Network. In 2021, if you lived in the United States, you could watch it on Peacock because the WWE Network joined with Peacock there.

WWE's Brand System

When Hell in a Cell first started, WWE had a "brand extension." This meant their wrestlers were divided into different groups or "brands," like Raw, SmackDown, and ECW. Wrestlers usually only performed on their assigned brand. The first Hell in a Cell event included wrestlers from all three brands. However, ECW was closed down in 2010, so it only appeared once.

The first brand extension ended in 2011. The 2011 event was the first one held after this change. It was special because it featured the first-ever triple threat match inside the Hell in a Cell. This means three wrestlers fought each other at the same time inside the cage.

Return of Brands and New Milestones

In 2016, WWE brought back the brand extension. The 2016 event was only for wrestlers from the Raw brand. This event made history! It featured the first-ever women's Hell in a Cell match. Even more, this match was the main event of the entire show, which was a huge step for women's wrestling in WWE.

The 2017 event was then held only for the SmackDown brand. This show also had some "firsts." It featured a Hell in a Cell match where "falls count anywhere," meaning wrestlers could be pinned (counted down for a win) anywhere, not just in the ring. It also had the first time a tag team championship was defended inside the Hell in a Cell.

After WrestleMania 34 in 2018, WWE stopped having events that were only for one brand. So, the 2018 event included wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown. This event was moved to September, but it went back to October in 2019.

Events During the Pandemic

The 2020 event was unique because it had the first "I quit" match inside the Hell in a Cell. In this match, a wrestler wins by making their opponent say "I quit." Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event was held in a special safe area called the WWE ThunderDome in Orlando, Florida.

The 2021 event was moved to June. It was the very last WWE pay-per-view to be held in the ThunderDome. After this, WWE started having live audiences again. Hell in a Cell was the only WWE event to be held twice inside the ThunderDome. The 2022 event was also held in June.

End of the Event

The 2022 event was the last Hell in a Cell event. In 2023, WWE decided to stop holding it. The reason was that WWE's Chief Content Officer, Triple H, wanted the Hell in a Cell match to be a special event again, used only for the biggest rivalries, instead of happening every year just because there was an event named after it.

The Hell in a Cell Match Concept

The main idea of the Hell in a Cell event was based on the dangerous Hell in a Cell match. In this match, wrestlers fight inside a huge steel cage that is 20 feet tall and has a roof. This cage surrounds both the wrestling ring and the area right outside it.

The main event of every Hell in a Cell show was always a Hell in a Cell match. Often, one or two other matches on the show would also take place inside the cell. Over the years, different types of Hell in a Cell matches were created. For example, the 2011 event had the first "triple threat" match inside the cell, where three wrestlers fought. In 2018, the Hell in a Cell cage itself was changed. It was painted a bright red color and became a bit smaller. The wires were also made stronger, making the cage more solid but still lighter.

Events List

See also

In Spanish: WWE Hell in a Cell para niños