By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

In Brief: Mattel and Jakks have made toys capturing wrestlers as they appeared in famous Hell in a Cell matches.

Figure 5 Tuesday: Top 5 Toys of Hell in the Cell Wrestlers

When the World Wrestling Federation unveiled its Hell in a Cell cage structure in 1997, it was designed to serve three purposes: introduce a specialty match for The Undertaker, debut his menacing baby brother Kane, and create new ways for Shawn Michaels to bump around like a madman.

Not surprisingly, all three of those men appear on this list.

The Hell in a Cell structure was used at WrestleMania, King of the Ring, and other off-brand pay-per-views before being given its own PPV. Heck, it was even wasted on throwaway segments during Vince Russo’s frenetic booking days. A little something extra, brutha.

Dozens of men – wrestlers and non-wrestlers alike – have competed inside the Cell over the last 16 years. Here is a look at the top five action figures of wrestlers who have wrestled inside the cell.

(5) Shawn Michaels Mattel WWE Elite Series 19 Flashback. Michaels took one of the first big bumps of the Attitude Era when he went dangling from the top of the case through the announce table below at Badd Blood in 1997. It would be almost another seven years before “HBK” would set foot inside another cell.

Michaels has appeared in almost every WWE toy line to date, in addition to the landmark Remco AWA set in 1986. But this figure most accurately portrays the arrogant hated heel who won the very first Hell in a Cell match. It’s also the first Mattel figure to come with the forgotten European Title. It’s a relatively new figure, and can usually be found for under $25.




(4) Triple H Jakks Pacific WWE Classic Superstars McMahon-Helmsley Era Internet Exclusive (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley). Triple H has wrestled in nine Hell in a Cell matches, second only to the Undertaker. Of those nine, Triple H won six. He competed in memorable bouts with Mick Foley and the Undertaker, but also participated in some of the more forgettable Hell in a Cell matches with opponents like Chris Jericho, Kevin Nash, and Legacy.

This throwback figure depicts Triple H during the first McMahon-Helmsley power trip, with a “Game” t-shirt and jean/leather jacket combo.




(3) Mick Foley Jakks Pacific WWF Bone Crunching Action King of the Ring. Mankind’s dive from the top of the cell at the 1998 King of the Ring is one of the most brutal moments in WWE history. Although Jakks and Mattel have made cooler figures than this one, it is still an Attitude Era favorite among collectors.

It was the first to come with a removable Mankind mask and Mr. Socko puppet, along with (for whatever reason) a big rubber tire. These can usually be found in the package for less than $10.




(2) Kane Mattel WWE Elite Series 12 Flashback. Paul Bearer had been proclaiming, “He’s alive, Deadman!” for months. And by the time Kane showed up to tear the wall off the Cell structure, Glen Jacobs had already been Isaac Yankem, Fake Diesel, Doomsday, and Unibomb.

But, 16 years later, the Kane character is one of the most successful WWE has ever produced. This figure captures the original look of the “Big Red Monster” and it is one of the most popular and valuable WWE Elite figures from Mattel. It’s less than two-years-old, but packaged figures are already selling in the $75-100 range.




(1) The Undertaker Mattel WWE Elite Ministry of Darkness 2010 San Diego Comic Con Exclusive. No wrestler is more closely associated with Hell in a Cell than The Undertaker. He has appeared in more (12) matches and is tied for the most wins (six, with Triple H). Basically, the match was created to be an Undertaker specialty.

Taker’s look has changed over the years, and he’s taken many of those looks into the Cell. This particular figure was released exclusively at San Diego Comic Con in 2010, the first year that Mattel produced WWE toys. It has since been offered for sale online through mattycollector.com, ringsidecollectibles.com, and other sites.

It is one of the most intricately designed wrestling figures ever, presenting the Attitude Era Ministry of Darkness look. Oddly enough, it was under this persona that Undertaker wrestled in his worst Hell in a Cell match, defeating Big Boss Man at WrestleMania XV.




Reader Shares Cool Card Pull

Kudos to PWTorch reader Sara Hensley, who opened a $20 blaster box of 2013 Topps WWE Best of Wrestling from Target and found a great card inside. Each box delivers 10 packs and guarantees a relic card. Sara was lucky enough to pull the A.J. Lee Teddy Bear Relic card, which is inserted 1:1,300 packs and is the most popular relic card in the set. Recent auctions have been ending in the $75-100 range. “I’m going with $20 well spent – this time at least,” Sara said.

If you’ve opened any boxes or packs of 2013 Topps WWE Best of Wrestling, share your results with readers by emailing michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com.

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt