#23
Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Mankind & Kane
WWF Raw is War
Just two weeks prior to the King of the Ring PPV that would feature one of the most famous Hell in a Cell matches in history, Kane and Mankind became contenders to the WWF Tag Team Championships after Vince McMahon “fired” Dude Love. It was a strange, exciting time in pro wrestling however as Foley was in the midst of a feud with both “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – then the WWF Champion – and The Undertaker. Paul Bearer threw down a challenge to them both, to face his “children” inside the Hell in a Cell two weeks early.
While this one technically counts as a part of the HIAC legacy, it was more of an elevated, chaotic main event segment – the kind only the Attitude Era in full swing could bring. Most of the “match” was the Deadman locked inside the cage with Paul Bearer, while Kane tried to find a way in to save his father, and Steve Austin brawled with Mankind all around the arena. The whole thing ended in a “no contest” as the program went off the air.
Despite my hesitation to include this glorified brawl, it’s still a great piece of wrestling history, and one of my personal favorite conclusions to an episode of RAW. It’s the kind of segment that shows you what is possible on live television with creative people writing backstage, and inspired performers giving 150% in the ring.
