WWE Bad Blood (originally stylized as Badd Blood ) is a professional wrestling event produced by WWE , a Connecticut -based professional wrestling promotion . The event was first held in October 1997 when the promotion was still called the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and that first event was held as the 18th In Your House pay-per-view (PPV) event. After six years and after the promotion had been renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Bad Blood returned as its own PPV event in June 2003, replacing King of the Ring . In 2005, One Night Stand replaced Bad Blood; Vengeance had also moved to June that year as The Great American Bash moved to July. Bad Blood had been announced to be revived in 2017; however, these plans were scrapped in favor of an event titled Great Balls of Fire . After a 20-year hiatus, Bad Blood returned in October 2024 , and became the first Bad Blood to air on WWE's livestreaming platforms.
41-658: The first Bad Blood is known for introducing the Hell in a Cell match , a 20-foot high roofed cell structure that surrounds the ring and ringside area. It has been contested at every Bad Blood with the match headlining the events in 1997, 2003, and 2004. To coincide with the first brand extension , the 2003 and 2004 Bad Blood events were both held exclusively for wrestlers of the Raw brand division. The brand split ended in 2011 but it returned in 2016. Since April 2018, all of WWE's main roster PPV and livestreaming events have featured wrestlers from both
82-418: A WWF Championship match which Shawn Michaels was assigned to referee. Michaels had deliberately interjected himself in the match and cost The Undertaker a win which resulted in a match between the two at In Your House: Ground Zero . That match was ruled a no-contest due to the two bypassing and attacking the officials. As a climactic end to the feud, their following bout was originally scheduled to be held as
123-464: A steel cage match . However, a larger roofed structure was constructed instead of a normal cage enclosing only the ring, enclosing not only the ring but also the surrounding ringside area. The wider space between the ring apron and the cell walls allowed for entering and exiting the ring and for cameras to be situated at ringside. At Badd Blood, Michaels defeated The Undertaker (with interference from The Undertaker's debuting half-brother Kane ), becoming
164-574: A Cell is a professional wrestling steel cage-based match which originated in 1997 in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE ). It features a large cell structure, a four-sided cuboid made from open-weave steel mesh chain-link fencing which encloses the ring and ringside area. Unlike the steel cage match , the only way to get out of the Hell in a Cell without damaging the Cell's structure
205-576: A Cell . In 2016, Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks became the first women to step inside the Hell in a Cell match at Hell in a Cell in October 2016 when Banks defended the Raw Women's Championship against Flair, who won the match. Ahead of Hell in a Cell in September 2018, the structure went through a significant overhaul. The fully crimson-red structure is smaller, with the wires being less pliable, making
246-594: A Cell match was not televised, the match took place on the September 26 episode of Raw in 2011 as a dark match where John Cena retained the WWE Championship in a five-way match against Alberto Del Rio , Jack Swagger , Dolph Ziggler , and CM Punk in a match that lasted only 5 minutes, making it the shortest Hell in a Cell match. Hell in a Cell matches have appeared at WWF/WWE's flagship event WrestleMania four times ( XV , XXVIII , 32 , and 39 ). In 2009, WWE debuted its first pay-per-view event to be named Hell in
287-440: A Hell in a Cell match billed as the first under Falls Count Anywhere rules (despite the Hell in a Cell previously having this stipulation in its rules by default). In October 2020, Roman Reigns and Jey Uso competed in the first-ever Hell in a Cell match contested under an "I quit" stupulation The first Hell in a Cell match in 1997 between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels was highly acclaimed, with Dave Meltzer giving it 5 stars,
328-489: A concrete footing or otherwise anchored to prevent leaning under the tension of a stretched fence. Posts set between the terminal posts are called "line posts" and are set at intervals not to exceed 10 feet. The installer attaches the fence at one end, stretches it, and attaches it at the other, easily removing the excess by "unscrewing" a wire. In many cases, the installer stretches a bottom tension wire, sometimes referred to as "coil wire", between terminal posts to help minimize
369-426: A feat that no other Hell in a Cell match would accomplish until 2022 with Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes & 2024 with CM Punk and Drew McIntyre . Some critics claimed that the Hell in a Cell has been watered down during the later years, particularly during the 2010s, most notably the main event between Seth Rollins and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt in 2019 . Former WWE producer Arn Anderson said that WWE overused
410-637: A long history of cloth manufacture). In the mid-1890s, the American Chain Link Fence Company in Medford, Massachusetts , was the first company in the United States to patent an "exclusive manufacturing process of continuous wire fabric" thanks to a patent by founder Guy Mafera which he first used to make spring beds. While sources vary on when Mafera first patented the method of forming chain link fence, his brother, Frank J. Mafera , patented
451-404: A method of "forming wire fence fabric" in 1930 which made chain link fence safe and practical for residential use. It "eliminate[d] each ragged selvage , particularly at the top of the fence, without sacrificing anything of the essential strength and rigidity, of the fence itself, thus to avoid danger of injury to hands or clothing." Frank J. Mafera first sold this type of fencing from his company
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#1732894295345492-450: A somewhat flattened spiral . The spiral continues to rotate past the blade and winds its way through the previous spiral that is already part of the fence. When the spiral reaches the far end of the fence, the spiral is cut near the blade. Next, the spiral is pressed flat, and the entire fence is moved up, ready for the next cycle. The end of every second spiral overlaps the end of every first spiral. The machine clamps both ends and gives them
533-531: A top on the cage). On an October 2015 video podcast, Vince Russo said Cornette probably did come up with the concept, but the name Hell in a Cell came from him. WWE credits the match as being based on the Last Battle of Atlanta . The 1998 Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind remains one of the most iconic matches of all time, with its level of extreme violence and dangerous spots, which led to Mankind getting legitimately knocked unconscious at
574-562: A total of 53 Hell in a Cell matches have since occurred. The match type spawned its own pay-per-view event in 2009, WWE Hell in a Cell , after which the event was held annually in October, although once in September and twice in June. This event generally featured one to three Hell in a Cell matches on the same card, with the main event always contested as a Hell in a Cell match. Following Triple H's appointment as WWE Chief Content Officer in August 2022,
615-576: A zigzag pattern so that each "zig" hooks with the wire immediately on one side and each "zag" with the wire immediately on the other. This forms the characteristic diamond pattern seen in this type of fence. In the United Kingdom, the firm of Barnard, Bishop & Barnards was established in Norwich to produce chain-link fencing by machine. The process was developed by Charles Barnard in 1844 based on cloth weaving machines (up until that time, Norwich had
656-451: Is through its door—but this door is locked by thick chains and a padlock. Only an in-ring pinfall or submission will ordinarily result in a win (although Triple H pinned Chris Jericho atop the cell to win the Hell in a Cell match at Judgment Day in May 2002) and there are no disqualifications. The gimmick was strongly associated with The Undertaker during his career with WWF/WWE, including
697-747: The Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri . The event was notable for introducing the Hell in a Cell match and the debut of Kane . In May 2002, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as a result of a lawsuit from the World Wildlife Fund over the "WWF" initialism. Also around this time, the promotion held a draft that split its roster into two distinctive brands of wrestling, Raw and SmackDown! , where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform. In 2003, WWE reinstated Bad Blood as its own PPV (with
738-621: The XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut . However, these plans were scrapped in favor of an event titled Great Balls of Fire . After 20 years since the last Bad Blood event, WWE announced that Bad Blood would in fact return and be held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on October 5, 2024, the 27-year anniversary of the first Bad Blood. Like the previous editions, the 2024 event also featured
779-583: The Barnyard Fence Company in Raymond, New Hampshire , and his brother sold and produced the fencing at the American Chain Link Fence Company in Medford. Mafera's patent was updated in 1952, but expired in 1969 and is now used in the production of most chain link fencing. In the United States, fencing usually comes in 20-foot (6.1 m) or 50-foot (15 m) rolls, which can be joined by "unscrewing" one of
820-577: The Hell in a Cell annual event was discontinued alongside other gimmick PPVs except for WWE Money in the Bank , Royal Rumble , Survivor Series , and WWE Elimination Chamber . The Hell in a Cell match was first introduced at Badd Blood on Sunday October 5, 1997, at the Kiel Center, now known as Enterprise Center , in St. Louis, Missouri . The background to the inaugural match was built on The Undertaker 's loss to Bret Hart two months prior at SummerSlam in
861-400: The Hell in a Cell match but it opened that year's show instead of closing it. This would also be the first Bad Blood to air via WWE's livestreaming platforms, a medium that WWE began using in 2014. The event also featured wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown as WWE's pay-per-view and livestreaming events have featured wrestlers from both since 2018. Hell in a Cell match Hell in
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#1732894295345902-474: The Raw and SmackDown brands. Bad Blood was first held as an In Your House pay-per-view (PPV) event. In Your House was a series of monthly PPVs first produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in May 1995. They aired when the promotion was not holding one of its major PPVs and were sold at a lower cost. Badd Blood: In Your House was the 18th In Your House event and took place on October 5, 1997, at
943-510: The Raw brand. Like the original event, the 2003 and 2004 events featured a Hell in a Cell match as the main event. After the 2004 event, however, Bad Blood was discontinued and doubly replaced by One Night Stand and Vengeance ; the latter had also moved into the June slot as The Great American Bash moved into the July slot that Vengeance previously held. In March 2017, WWE announced that it would be reviving Bad Blood to be held on July 9, 2017, from
984-551: The WWF Championship against Cactus Jack . The first title change inside Hell in a Cell was in October 2009, when The Undertaker won the World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk . The longest Hell in a Cell match was held at Bad Blood in June 2004 between Triple H and Shawn Michaels at over 47 minutes. The Undertaker has been involved in the most Hell in a Cell matches, having competed in fourteen and having
1025-512: The air. On the August 24 episode of Raw Is War , Mankind fought Kane (his tag team partner at the time) in a Hell in a Cell match. This match went to a no-contest after Austin interfered and assaulted Kane. On the June 18, 2021, episode of Friday Night SmackDown , the first televised title match contested inside the structure took place between Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio for the WWE Universal Championship which saw Reigns retain
1066-466: The cage and cell while trying to avoid guard dogs that were placed between the ring and cell door. Snow, the first competitor to escape the steel cage and the cell, was declared the winner. The third time was on September 28, 2009, episode of Raw during a gauntlet match with John Cena against Chris Jericho , Big Show and Randy Orton . The cell was lowered after Cena defeated Jericho and Big Show by disqualification when Orton's turn came. Cena ordered
1107-505: The cell to be lowered and then brawled Orton on top of the structure. The match was declared a no-contest. The fourth time was on October 20, 2014, episode of Raw when the Hell in a Cell structure was lowered on orders from Kane during a handicap street fight involving Kane, Orton, and Seth Rollins against Cena and Dean Ambrose which Kane, Orton, and Rollins won. At Hell in a Cell in October 2017, Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens competed in
1148-514: The concept, as not many rivalries justified a match of that caliber. Answering Anderson, Mick Foley said he did not think the Hell in a Cell had been overused. Chain-link fencing A chain-link fence (also referred to as wire netting , wire-mesh fence , chain-wire fence , cyclone fence , hurricane fence , or diamond-mesh fence ) is a type of woven fence usually made from galvanized or linear low-density polyethylene -coated steel wire. The wires run vertically and are bent into
1189-540: The end of the match and suffering multiple injuries towards the end of the match. Despite the match's popularity, it remains controversial due to the wrestler's lack of safety. In 2011, this incident was named the number one " OMG !" incident in WWE history. Journalist Michael Landsberg called it "maybe the most famous match ever." The first title defense in Hell in a Cell was at No Way Out in February 2000 with Triple H defending
1230-434: The end wires and then "screwing" it back in so that it hooks both pieces. Common heights include one-foot increments from 3 feet (0.91 m) to 8 feet (2.4 m), and other heights including 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m), 10 feet (3.0 m), and 12 feet (3.7 m) although almost any height is possible. Mesh is commonly 9, 11, or 11 + 1 ⁄ 2 wire gauge . Mesh length can also vary based on need, with
1271-471: The fence. A chain-link fence can be made semi-opaque by using fence inserts in the mesh. Allowing ivy to grow up the fence and interweave itself is also popular. The installation of a chain-link fence involves setting posts into the ground and attaching the fence to them. The posts may be steel tubing, timber, or concrete and may be driven into the ground or set in concrete. End, corner, or gate posts, commonly referred to as "terminal posts", must be set on
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1312-418: The in and out movement that occurs at the bottom of the chain-link mesh between posts. Top horizontal rails are used on most chain-link fences, although not necessary if the terminal posts are braced correctly. A top tension wire may be used in this situation. Bottom rails may be added in place of bottom tension wires, and for taller fences, 10 feet or more, intermediate horizontal rails are often added. Finally,
1353-473: The inaugural match with Shawn Michaels and a brutal encounter with Mick Foley in his Mankind persona. Both matches featured spectacular falls from the top of the cage which has since become a signature of the match. The original Cell was 16 ft (4.9 m) high and weighed over two tons, but has since been replaced by a more robust version of 20 ft (6.1 m) and five tons. The first match took place at Bad Blood In Your House in October 1997 and
1394-444: The installer ties the fence to the line posts and rails with steel or aluminum wire with a hook on one end called “fence ties”. The bottom tension wire should be secured to the line posts and the chain-link mesh "hog ringed" to the tension wire 2' on center. The manufacturing of chain-link fencing is called weaving . A metal wire , often galvanized to reduce corrosion , is pulled along a rotating long and flat blade , thus creating
1435-498: The most victories at eight. All Hell in a Cell matches have been broadcast live on pay-per-view except for five matches, three of which were televised on Raw Is War , later Monday Night Raw , with two in 1998 and one in 2021 and one on Friday Night SmackDown also in 2021. The Hell in a Cell match on the June 15 episode of Raw Is War showcasing Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker against Kane and Mankind , ended with Austin and Undertaker winning after Raw Is War went off
1476-556: The number-one contender to the WWF Championship. The original concept for the Hell in a Cell structure was created by Jim Cornette . He described his concept as a combination of a cage surrounding the majority of the ringside area (the design, he stated, was popular in Memphis wrestling promotions) and the cage used in both the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling for their WarGames matches (which had
1517-457: The standard diamond size being 2 inches (5.1 cm). For tennis courts and ballparks, the most popular height is 10 or 12 feet (3.0 or 3.7 m). Tennis courts often use a diamond size of 1.75 inches (4.4 cm), as measured flat side to flat side, so that power hitters cannot lodge the ball in the fence. The popularity of chain-link fence is from its relatively low cost and that the open weave does not obscure sunlight from either side of
1558-414: The structure stronger, yet lighter. Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy faced off against each other in the first crimson cell, a match which Orton won. The crimson cell would be swapped out for the standard gray one come WrestleMania 39 in 2023. The structure itself has made four additional appearances, although WWE does not consider them to be Hell in a Cell matches. During the first-ever First Blood match which
1599-503: The stylization being "Bad Blood" instead of the previous "Badd Blood") to replace the previously annual King of the Ring PPV; King of the Ring ceased being produced as a PPV (until 2024 ), but the titular tournament continued to be produced periodically. To coincide with the brand extension, both the 2003 and 2004 Bad Blood events, which were both held in June, exclusively featured wrestlers from
1640-444: The title via submission. Three days later on the June 21, 2021, episode of Monday Night Raw , WWE Champion Bobby Lashley faced Xavier Woods in a non-title Hell in a Cell match which saw Lashley win via submission. These matches, along with the two matches at the Hell in a Cell event , were held in a span of 4 days, with Lashley being the only wrestler to have competed in Hell in a Cell matches on back-to-back days. Only one Hell in
1681-471: Was between Kane and Stone Cold Steve Austin at King of the Ring in May 1998, the cell used earlier in the night was lowered. The second featured Big Boss Man challenging Al Snow for the WWF Hardcore Championship in a Kennel from Hell match at Unforgiven in September 1999. The match consisted of a standard steel cage with the cell placed atop it and the object was to escape from both