Before Ladder Matches, Hell In A Cell, and Elimination Chambers, the Steel Cage was not only the most ominous and dangerous match in the industry, it was set up to end feuds and programs. According to the Online World Of Wrestling, the first-ever Cage match happened way back in 1937. Jack Bloomfield and Count Rossi tried to obliterate one another in a ring surrounded by Chicken Wire.
Chicken Wire to Chain Link. Chain Link to the “Big Blue Bars,” and once again back to the hard-edged steel mesh - a cage match still evokes dread when it’s been announced. Here are some great cage matches you may have overlooked.
10 Edge And Christian Vs. The Hardy Boys - Unforgiven 2000
After facing off so many times in a variety matches, it’s hard to fathom seeing the Hardys and Edge and Christian square off with no ladder in sight. But they still brought one with them for this intriguing match at Unforgiven 2000. There were two ways to win - both team members escape or pin your opponent. Jeff got out fairly quickly, which also led to Matt being double-teamed until Jeff found his way back into the cage to help.
9 Bret Hart Vs. Owen Hart - SummerSlam 1994
How did the Hart Brothers top their WrestleMania X encounter, which many fans and superstars hold in the highest regard? They do it again about six months later, involve the entire family, and do it in a cage!
With Bret now in the midst of his championship reign and Owen as the 1994 King Of The Ring, the King Of Harts did all he could to escape the cage and claim his rightful spot as WWE Champion. Seldom has a technical marvel taken place inside of the Steel Cage, but considering Bret and Owen grew up and trained in the Dungeon, they were certainly right at home here. It's the most famous match on this list but it's worth giving another look. That's how good it is.
8 Hulk Hogan Vs. Big Boss Man - Saturday Night’s Main Event May 27, 1989
It’s an impressive visual of Hulk Hogan looking right up at Zeus at the entrance of the Steel Cage. It’s actually one of the great shots of this Era Of Hulkamania. But sadly for the Hulkster, after getting taken out by the madman, he still had to defend the WWE title against the Big Boss Man inside the cage! This is actually one of the best Hogan matches from this time and has a massive Superplex spot right off the cage that Jesse Ventura goes nuts over.
7 Mankind Vs. Triple H - SummerSlam 1997
As a young man, Mick Foley hitchhiked from his college to Madison Square Garden to witness the Superfly face Don Muraco in a match that lives on in infamy thanks to Jimmy Snuka’s epic leap off the top of the cage. If you couple that with the crazy brawls that Foley and any of his incarnations was having with Triple H at this time and you have the makings of an insane and emotional cage match between two. Chyna nearly decapitated Mankind with the cage door and despite having a win all locked up, took to the top of the cage to deliver a massive elbow reminiscent of his hero. It’s one of the best Steel Cage matches you’ll ever see and somehow barely ranks among the best of their rivalry.
6 Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs. Mr. McMahon - St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
After Vince McMahon had inexplicably won the 1999 Royal Rumble, the edict was made by then-Commissioner Shawn Michaels, that the title shot at WrestleMania was on the line in a Steel Cage match. McMahon, of course, had the holy hell beat out of him before the match even started.
Austin bashed his head off the top of the cage, sending his boss through a table. But the big moment came when Big Show debuted. As Austin was about to win, Show appeared from under the ring and launched Austin into the cage, inadvertently breaking it, and sending Austin to the floor.
5 Batista Vs. Chris Jericho - Raw November 3, 2008
If you’ve ever heard Chris Jericho talk about this match, he'll say it cost him and Batista a bunch of money. That’s because after putting on a good match that showed Batista as a massive force able to heave the savvy veteran around the ring like he was ping pong ball, Jericho managed to take a piece of the cage and smack Batista in the back of the head, busting him wide open. Despite winning the match and the World Championship, both Jericho and Batista were fined heavily for the crimson mask.
4 Ric Flair Vs. Kerry Von Erich - WCCW Star Wars 1982
The Hatfields and The McCoys. The Montagues and The Capulets. The Von Erichs and the Freebirds. Every grand familial rivalry has some sort of nasty beginning. For the Von Erichs and The Freebirds, their war started here at WCCW’s Star Wars ‘82. Kerry was challenging for the NWA Title against Ric Flair inside the cage. Michael P.S. Hayes was the guest referee and tried to help Kerry win. When Kerry refused, Hayes decked him, thus beginning Texas wrestling’s greatest rivalry.
3 Ultimate Warrior Vs. Ravishing Rick Rude - SummerSlam 1990
Make no mistake about it, the Ultimate Warrior was mostly the look, the mannerisms, and his completely insane charisma. His work rate was subpar at best, and very few accomplished superstars were able to get a great match out of him. Ravishing Rick Rude was one of the few that was able to get memorable matches out of the Warrior. Like their cage match at SummerSlam 1990. Toss in Bobby Heenan to the mix, and the match gets even better.
2 John Cena Vs. The Miz Vs. John Morrison - Extreme Rules 2011
John Morrison’s breakthrough performance. John Cena’s underrated but always 150% effort. The Miz blazing a trail during his championship reign. Michael Cole’s heel-centric love of the Miz putting him over like a superhero.
All of the elements were there for a great match. It’s not often that a Triple Threat Steel Cage happens and this one didn’t disappoint. Each wrestler had moments to shine, particularly Morrison’s Starship Pain off the top of the cage.
1 Magnum T.A. Vs. Tully Blanchard - Starrcade 1985: The Gathering
When the only way to win a match is to make your opponent say “I Quit,” there is an element of danger that is normally unprecedented. Toss that match inside of a Steel Cage to feature the bitter rivalry between Magnum T.A. and Tully Blanchard, and you’re going get an all-out war for the ages. With the United States title on the line, the back and forth bloodbath ended when Magnum began to rake a wooden chair over Tully Blanchard’s skull.