Steel cage matches have been a staple of professional wrestling for decades. The enclosed structure creates an atmosphere of intense drama, desperation, and high stakes. These matches often signify the climax of a long-standing feud or rivalry, as two (or more) competitors are locked inside the cage, battling not just for victory but for their pride, reputation, and sometimes their careers. This list highlights the most memorable steel cage matches in the history of professional wrestling.
The Most Memorable Steel Cage Matches Ever
- Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko (1980) – Showdown at Shea
- Background: Zbyszko, once a student of Sammartino, turned on his mentor in a shocking betrayal. This led to a highly anticipated steel cage clash.
- Highlights: A bloody, brutal battle that saw Sammartino emerge victorious, proving that the student was not yet ready to surpass the master.
- Ric Flair vs. Harley Race (1983) – Starrcade
- Background: The event was dubbed “A Flare for the Gold.” Harley Race had placed a bounty on Flair, leading to this cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
- Highlights: Ric Flair reclaimed the title with a flying crossbody off the top rope, a rarity for him.
- Jimmy Snuka vs. Don Muraco (1983) – Madison Square Garden
- Background: One of the most iconic moments in wrestling history took place during this match.
- Highlights: Although Snuka lost, he would forever be remembered for his “Superfly” splash off the top of the cage.
- Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (1994) – SummerSlam
- Background: Brother vs. Brother, this match was a culmination of a deeply personal rivalry that began at WrestleMania X.
- Highlights: Bret Hart managed to escape the cage, but both brothers showcased their technical prowess in a heart-stopping contest.
- The Undertaker vs. Mankind (1998) – King of the Ring, Hell in a Cell
- Background: While not a traditional steel cage, the Hell in a Cell is a variation that has seen some of the most brutal matches in WWE history.
- Highlights: Mankind (Mick Foley) being thrown off the top of the cage and then chokeslammed through it are moments that will forever be etched in wrestling lore.
- Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (2000) – No Way Out
- Background: This was a career-threatening match for Mick Foley’s Cactus Jack persona against the rising dominance of Triple H.
- Highlights: Foley’s dramatic fall through the cage and onto the ring, combined with the emotional weight of potentially seeing a legend’s career end, made this an unforgettable encounter.
- Edge vs. Matt Hardy (2005) – Unforgiven
- Background: A real-life love triangle added intense personal animosity to this feud.
- Highlights: A brutal contest where Edge executed a spear from the top rope to secure his victory.
- John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt (2014) – Extreme Rules
- Background: Wyatt looked to entrap Cena and turn him to the dark side.
- Highlights: Cena’s display of raw power, lifting and tossing Wyatt into the cage wall, remains a highlight of this hard-fought battle.
- Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks (2016) – Hell in a Cell
- Background: Two of WWE’s top female superstars battled inside the first-ever women’s Hell in a Cell match.
- Highlights: Both women showcased their athleticism and resilience, with Charlotte ultimately reigning supreme.
- Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman (2018) – Hell in a Cell
- Background: A battle of titans, with both men seeking to assert their dominance in WWE.
- Highlights: The match saw multiple high-risk maneuvers, including Reigns’ spear through a table and Strowman’s devastating powerslams.
Steel cage matches remain one of the most exciting stipulations in professional wrestling. Whether it’s the sight of a wrestler scaling the cage, the sheer brutality inside the steel structure, or the dramatic narratives that play out within its confines, these matches are sure to be remembered for generations to come.
