5 Superstars rumored to be in a Hell in a Cell match that never had one

Hell in a Cell has played host to many of WWE's top performers.
Hell in a Cell has played host to many of WWE's top performers.

Hell in a cell is now a staple fixture for WWE It was once reserved for main event stars blowing off blood feuds. The advent of an annual PPV dedicated to the concept opened the door for more performers to get in on these amped-up cage matches.

In particular, guys WWE tries out in main event roles, or books into hot feuds during the relatively dead period between SummerSlam and Survivor Series, have a tendency to make their way into these matches. That’s how guys like Ryback, Cody Rhodes, and Ted Dibase Jr. all wound up working bouts in the Cell.

There are, however, those WWE Superstars who once looked headed for a Hell in a Cell collision who never did actually make between the Cell walls. This article takes a look back at five wrestlers rumoured at one time or another to partake in a Hell in a Cell match who never actually had one.


#5 Jinder Mahal

Despite reigning as champion, Jinder Mahal didn't set foot inside Hell in a Cell.
Despite reigning as champion, Jinder Mahal didn't set foot inside Hell in a Cell.

In the summer of 2017, WWE took a big chance in booking Jinder Mahal as WWE Champion. It was a questionable choice given that Mahal wasn’t proven as a draw, a worker, or a talker.

Many expected him to drop the title before long, and in particular when he defended it against rising star Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam. When Mahal retained, the thinking shifted—that, regardless of who won, he and Nakamura might blow off their issue at the Hell in a Cell PPV, in a Hell in a Cell match.

While Mahal and Nakamura did have their rematch at that show, they stayed out of the Cell. Traditionally, a world championship has been defended inside the Devil’s Playground.

Instead, 2017 saw the SmackDown Tag Team Championships on the line there, and a grudge match between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon get the main event spot in the event’s signature match.

#4 Wade Barrett

The heavily featured Nexus angle wasn't enough to get Wade Barrett into the Cell.
The heavily featured Nexus angle wasn't enough to get Wade Barrett into the Cell.

In 2010, Wade Barrett went from a largely anonymous wrestler to a standout on the NXT television series that predated the current developmental brand.

His next stop? Barrett would not only move up to the main roster but head up The Nexus faction of fellow NXT alumni. The young super group would go to war with the top faces in the company, highlighted by Wade Barrett facing off with John Cena.

Cena and Barrett would end up competing in a high stakes match at the Hell in a Cell PPV. The match carried the stipulation that if Cena won, the Nexus would disband, and if Barrett won, Cena would have to join the faction.

One way or another, it would mark a big turning point for one of the company’s biggest programs. However, despite going down at the Hell in a Cell show, the match itself didn’t wind up being booked to take place in the Cell. Barrett would only remain a real main eventer through the end of that year, and never be in a position to compete in Hell in a Cell again.

#3 Cesaro

The Swiss Superman looked like he might join Sheamus in the Cell, either as an opponent or partner.
The Swiss Superman looked like he might join Sheamus in the Cell, either as an opponent or partner.

In 2016, Cesaro worked a compelling, hard-hitting program with Sheamus. The concept was that the pair of upper mid-carders had demonstrated tremendous chemistry in the ring, and so they’d face off in a best of seven series. Not only bragging rights, but a shot at the Universal Championship was on the line.

Things took a turn, though, when the seventh and deciding match ended in a draw. General Manager Mick Foley deemed that there would be no tiebreaker -- let alone the rumoured Hell in a Cell match between the two. On the contrary, the two men would band together and get a tag title shot instead.

So, let’s add up the factors. Sheamus and Cesaro had worked a successful program. They were a fresh new tag team. They were being pitted against the longtime reigning champions— the incredibly popular New Day. Surely, they’d be a shoo-in for a Hell in a Cell match as a team, right?

As it turned out, they weren’t. While Sheamus had worked a Cell match previously and New Day would get their chance a year later, Cesaro still has yet to get in the cage himself.

#2 Rob Van Dam

RVD is one of the biggest stars of his generation to have never had a Hell in a Cell match.
RVD is one of the biggest stars of his generation to have never had a Hell in a Cell match.

Based on the volume of PPVs WWE has put on since the turn of the millennium, most main event level talents found their way into Hell in a Cell matches at least once. Rob Van Dam is a notable exception to that rule.

RVD worked noteworthy world title programs opposite Triple H and John Cena either which could have quite reasonably landed him a Hell in a Cell match. He even got a shot at the top of the company.

After cashing in the second ever Money in the Bank briefcase, he not only defeating Cena for the WWE Championship but relaunched the ECW brand. As reigning WWE and ECW Champion, he was featured like no one else at the time.

Despite rumours that RVD might take his talents into the Devil’s Playground, he never would end up working a Hell in a Cell match. The door always remains open that RVD could wind back with WWE. He’s now well past his prime, however, and we can’t expect for him to be booked in the Cell.

#1 AJ Styles

There were several routes to book AJ Styles into Hell in a Cell, but it hasn't happened yet.
There were several routes to book AJ Styles into Hell in a Cell, but it hasn't happened yet.

In 2016, AJ Styles exploded onto the WWE landscape. He got a surprise debut at the Royal Rumble, foregoing the NXT route that most of his contemporaries from the indies had to go down.

The months to follow weren’t quite as successful for the Phenomenal One. He’d get back on track in short order, though, main eventing against Roman Reigns after WrestleMania.

Before the new brand split took flight, Styles seemed like a natural fit to be booked for a Hell in a Cell match. That PPV would wind up exclusive to the Raw brand that year, though, while Styles was a SmackDown talent.

A year later, the Hell in a Cell PPV would belong to SmackDown. Styles was the reigning US Champion, who looked as though he could cross over to the WWE Championship scene again at the drop of a hat.

With either title at stake, he seemed like a natural for the Cell. However, Styles would end up defending his title against Baron Corbin and Tye Dillinger in a non-Cell bout.


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