How fans voted to name WWE's most iconic steel cage
In short: In 2009, a fan poll decided the fate of an annual wrestling pay-per-view. The winner wasn't just a new name; it was a rebranding that turned a specific match stipulation into a standalone event, featuring three simultaneous main events and the final appearance of a legendary commentator.
The 2009 Hell in a Cell event marked a significant shift for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It replaced the long-standing 'No Mercy' pay-per-view. To determine its identity, WWE ran an official website poll where fans chose 'Hell in a Cell' over other options like 'No Escape,' 'Locked Up,' and 'Rage in a Cage.' This transition was notable for being the only time the ECW brand was featured before its disbandment in February 2010.
The event was structured as a 'supercard,' meaning it featured more than one main event. Three distinct matches were contested under the Hell in a Cell stipulation: a men's match involving D-Generation X against The Legacy, and two championship bouts featuring The Undertaker versus CM Punk and Randy Orton versus John Cena. The structure of these matches was defined by a 20-foot-high roofed steel cage surrounding the ring and ringside area, where no countouts or disqualifications were permitted.
Beyond the spectacle, the night served as a milestone for WWE's broadcast history. It marked the final time Jim Ross served as a full-time commentator for a pay-per-view event before moving to a part-time role. The card also resolved high-stakes storylines, including the kidnapping of SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long and the resolution of a rivalry between John Cena and Randy Orton that had spanned multiple events, including SummerSlam and Breaking Point.
The commercial success of this inaugural branding was evident in the numbers: the event drew 283,000 buys, an increase from the 261,000 buys recorded for No Mercy 2008. WWE managed to shift its yearly October schedule by establishing a core brand image around a particular contest style, which requires victory via submission or pinfall within the enclosure.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Hell in a Cell (2009)
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