Peacock, as the current streaming home for WWE content, offers a treasure trove of historic cage matches that have left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. Whether a cell, chamber, or double-ringed war field, these matches, spanning various types of cage formats, have provided some of the most unforgettable moments in the sport’s history.
Starting at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year, a Peacok Premium subscription allows fans new and old to dive into these legendary bouts that have defined careers, rivalries, and the evolution of wrestling itself.
Mankind vs. Undertaker (Hell in a Cell)
King of the Ring 1998
Perhaps one of the most iconic and talked-about matches in WWE history, the Hell in a Cell match between Mankind (Mick Foley) and The Undertaker at King of the Ring 1998 is a brutal ballet of physicality and sheer will. For those watching live, this match redefined “high spots” in a way that few thought possible. Some of its most jaw-dropping moments include Mankind’s terrifying fall from the top of the cell through an announcer’s table, but it was his subsequent fall through the cell roof into the ring that garnered an incredible reaction backstage. The brutality was so intense that the legendary Terry Funk even came to the ring in an attempt to talk Foley out of continuing. The sheer resilience and pain threshold displayed by Mankind, combined with The Undertaker’s relentless pursuit, makes this match a cornerstone of wrestling lore.
Vince McMahon vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Steel Cage Match)
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre 1999
Vince McMahon may be persona-non-grata in today’s TKO WWE, but there’s no denying that his cage match with Stone Cold was a cornerstone of the Attitude era. Not only was this a major chapter in the iconic rivalry between Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1999, but it also ushered in the debut of the Big Show Paul Wight. Fresh from his run in WCW as The Giant, Wight would go on to have longevity in WWE, unlike most others. This bout encapsulated the essence of their feud, showcasing not just the physicality but the psychological warfare that had been building for months. It is remembered for its intense action and the dramatic ending where Stone Cold secured victory, further cementing his status as a WWE legend.
Stream Mr. McMahon vs. Stone Cold at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre on Peacock
Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff (Steel Cage Match)
Saturday Night’s Main Event January 3, 1987
While cage matches have been around since the 1930s, finding ways to make them unique is somewhat difficult. WWE figured out how to do just that with this match from Saturday Night’s Main Event in 1987. With the iconic Hulk Hogan defending his championship against friend-turned-foe Paul Orndorff in a bitter clash inside a steel cage, no one saw what was about to unfold. The dramatic finish, where both men escaped the cage simultaneously, led to a controversial tie and a sudden-death continuation. Bonus points for the company’s ability to include the burgeoning bad guy referee character, Dangerous Danny Davis, in the ending. This match is a classic example of the intense rivalries of the 1980s and remains a highlight for fans of that golden era.
Stream Hulk Hogan vs. Mr. Wonderful on Saturday Night’s Main Event on Peacock
The First-Ever Elimination Chamber Match
Survivor Series 2002
The kayfabe brainchild of Eric Bischoff, Raw’s General Manager, The Elimination Chamber, introduced at Survivor Series 2002, added a new level of excitement and danger to WWE. This innovative match type features a large, circular steel structure enclosing the ring, with chambers housing the competitors until they are sequentially released into the match. The inaugural bout featured top-tier talent, including Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Kane, battling it out for the World Heavyweight Championship. While the original promotions promised that the pods would be cased in “bulletproof glass”, the first time one shattered, that was dropped. Lucky for fans, the visual of “glass” shards flying was much better than the rigid case originally promised. Shawn Michaels’ triumphant victory after a four-year hiatus from in-ring action is a heartwarming moment for fans. Although, those brown tights…yikes.
Stream the 2002 WWE RAW Inaugural Survivor Series Elimination Chamber Match on Peacock
WarGames Match
NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2017
Can you hear William Regal saying “War Games” in your head? You can. We can too. The reintroduction of the WarGames match under the WWE banner took place at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in 2017, marking a significant moment in the modern era of professional wrestling. This event saw teams of NXT’s finest athletes locked in two rings surrounded by a massive steel cage, but with a unique twist compared to the original format: there were no roof and the match began with members from each team entering the fray at timed intervals. The teams of The Undisputed Era, Authors of Pain with Roderick Strong, and SAnitY faced off in a chaotic and punishing battle that pushed the competitors to their limits. The match ended with The Undisputed Era standing tall, claiming victory in a historic moment that both honored the legacy of the original WarGames and set a new standard for what the match could be in WWE. This landmark event is a must-watch for fans seeking to explore the evolution of cage matches in WWE.
Stream WWE’s First-Ever WarGames Match at NXT WarGames 2017 on Peacock