Hell in a Cell & No Mercy: Through the Years

The near decade long No Mercy tradition has been dropped this year in favour of a new pay per view concept, Hell in a Cell. For the first time tonight, the Divas Championship will be defended at the early October pay per view when Alicia Fox challenges Mickie James. But let us go ‘through the years’ of this pay per view:

1999
The Fabulous Moolah vs Ivory

In 1999, the legendary Fabulous Moolah returned to the ring for one last run, feuding with then Women’s Champion Ivory. At the inaugural No Mercy in 1999, Moolah did the unthinkable — winning the Women’s Championship at the age of 76.

Chyna vs Jeff Jarrett

Later that night, more history was made when Chyna became the first woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship, defeating Jeff Jarrett in a Good Housekeeping Match.

More after the cut:

2001
Stacy Keibler vs Torrie Wilson

So from that history making night, two years later the direction of WWE changed — we got a ‘Lingerie Match’ between Stacy Keibler & Torrie Wilson. Little did we know then, that lingerie would be considered ‘ring attire’ in a few years… Aren’t all matches now lingerie matches?!

2002
Dawn Marie vs Torrie Wilson

Following her ‘Lingerie Match’ the year before, Torrie got the biggest storyline of her career in 2002 with Dawn Marie. Their feud led to this match at No Mercy 2002, but little did we know that the war was just starting…

Trish Stratus vs Victoria

Later that night, Raw got a turn to showcase it’s talents too when Trish Stratus defended the Women’s Championship against Victoria:

2007
Beth Phoenix vs Candice Michelle

Skipping a few years now, but here’s a quick breakdown: In 2003, Vince vs Stephanie. In 2004, Charlie Haas, Rico & Miss Jackie vs The Dudleys & Dawn Marie and in 2005, Legion of Doom & Christy Hemme vs MNM.

So here we are, just two years ago one Candice Michelle was getting the biggest push of her career as the Women’s Champion and a young Diva known as Beth Phoenix was only just beginning her push. The Glamazon sealed her ‘top Divadom’ when she defeated Candice for the Women’s Championship:

2008
Beth Phoenix vs Candice Michelle

It is highly rare that we see the same match, on the same pay per view two years in a row. But that is exactly what happened. Let me lay down the groundwork: Two weeks after No Mercy 2007, Candice got injured in a Women’s Championship rematch on Raw. She came back around WrestleMania 24… and got injured again. So by the time No Mercy 2008 rolled around, she had her second comeback of the year and went straight into a feud with Beth Phoenix. Sadly for Candice, this match was the beginning of the end of her career.

So what was your favourite Hell in a Cell match? Vote below:

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