There’s nothing like the thrill, drama and intensity of a well-executed Steel Cage showdown. Often used in grudge matches that require more violence and brutality than a normal meeting, the Steel Cage has made its mark on the world of professional wrestling with numerous classic matches taking place within the structure over the years.
Since WWE’s first cage match at WrestleMania 2 between Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy, there have been countless great matches across numerous promotions. Which Steel Cage matches rank as the best, according to Dave Meltzer and the ‘Wrestling Observer Newsletter’?
10 Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano, WWE NXT December 19, 2018, 4.25*
This was a great, if not moderately disappointing, Steel Cage reunion on NXT television between Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano. Given their classic match at NXT TakeOver: War Games, it felt largely lacking in the same level of execution in terms of intensity and drama. Regardless, the in-ring work was excellent, though it lacked the crowd investment needed to elevate it.
Unfortunately, a pointless ending with Tommaso Ciampa helping his former blood rival from that year Gargano to victory, proceeding to defeat Black together after the match. A very good, if not flawed, Steel Cage fight here.
9 edge vs. Kurt Angle, WWE SmackDown May 30, 2002, 4:25*
A great clash between Edge and Kurt Angle in this May 2002 edition of SmackDown during their rivalry, this being one of the best together inside a steel cage. Great back and forth work in the ring throughout with excellent drama in the final third, when Hulk Hogan interferes and sends Angle back into the cage for Edge to get the better of him with a top rope spear. While not classic Steel Cage, a very strong fight from Angle and Edge in this third meeting of theirs in May 2002.
8 Kurt angle vs. Samoa Joe, TNA World Heavyweight Championship, 2008 TNA Lockdown, 4.25*
A stellar clash for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as Kurt Angle defended against the one and only Samoa Joe in one of many great TNA matches between the two. Integrating an MMA style thanks to the cage stipulation, this was one of the rare instances where this style is used to perfection in professional wrestling.
Enhancing the big-fight feel, the two traded technical offenses that incorporated wrestling, submissions, and counters in a magnificent display of psychology and urgency. Joe would ultimately win over Angle to become the TNA World Champion in a major Steel Cage match.
7 edge vs. Matt Hardy, WWE Unforgiven 2005, 4.25*
This was a fantastic Steel Cage match in the heated rivalry between Edge and Matt Hardy back in 2005. Taking place at the 2005 Unforgiven PPV, these two brought the house down with an excellent combination of exciting action and effective storytelling. Hardy was the latest babyface hero in a spectacular performance, opposite Edge playing his role as the despicable badass. Spaces throughout were splendidly brutal, with a white-hot crowd ablaze with action as Hardy hit a stunning leg drop from the top of the cage to take the victory. Great fight overall.
6 abyss vs. AJ Styles, TNA Lockdown 2005, 4.25*
A fantastic main event at the TNA Lockdown PPV in 2005, with AJ Styles and Abyss facing off for a shot at the NWA Heavyweight Championship. The dynamic here was great with the monster Abyss facing off against the explosive Babyface Styles as the match started quickly with the two brawling through the crowd. Once Styles was busted, another brutality march ensued with the crowd roaring.
Fantastic use of the cage and numerous weapons with Styles selling Abyss’s powerful offense magnificently and bravely countering with spectacular counterattacks. The Styles Clash on the studs was incredible, as was Styles’ sunset back in the ring to secure victory in a great match.
5 wild randy vs. Ted DiBiase, WWE World Heavyweight Championship, WWE on MSG Network, 4.5*
This was a splendid old-school WWE World Heavyweight Title match with ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage defending against rival Ted DiBiase in a hotly contested Steel Cage match at Madison Square Garden. The storytelling and character work was flawless with Savage overcoming the odds (including Virgil at ringside) in epic fashion to the adoration of the crowd as they roared in approval. A great brawl-style match that possessed an intensity that Savage’s matches were so in love with at the time, with a sizzling finale as Savage battled DiBiase and Virgil to triumphantly retain.
4 Kurt angle vs. Mr. Anderson, TNA Lockdown 2010, 4.5*
Here’s another excellent match between Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson at the TNA Lockdown PPV in 2010, with a heated rivalry culminating in spectacular fashion inside the Steel Cage structure. The intensity and storytelling was top notch with Angle going for blood facing Anderson who went out of his way to taunt Angle even more, with the blood itself making the match even better here. Angle’s moonsault from the top of the cage, even though he had already won the match, was downright epic in a brutal setting. The crowd was on fire throughout, as Angle emerged victorious in a fantastic ending to the two’s rivalry.
3 Tam Nakano vs Natsupoi, STARDOM Fight In The Top – Nagoya Summit Battle, 4.5*
This was a spectacular match for the fantastic Japanese women’s promotion STARDOM last month, with Tam Nakano and Natsupoi facing off inside a steel cage in a brutal grudge match. The intensity and brutality were off the charts with an incredibly exciting and violent offense from both women. While a different style of match due to the stipulation of having to pin your opponent before escaping, this added to the drama, although it did suffer from the trope of easier than usual pinfalls. Regardless, the two threw everything at each other in a stiff fashion, conveying tremendous emotion throughout, with Nakano choking Nastupoi from the top of the structure. Impressive top-down combat.
two Brett Hart vs. Owen Hart, WWE World Heavyweight Championship, WWE SummerSlam ’94, 5*
This is an all-time classic in the legendary rivalry between brothers Bret and Owen Hart in this epic SummerSlam match. After a sensational clash at WrestleMania 10, the two met once again inside a steel cage and did not disappoint with a master class in storytelling, drama and intensity with the use of skillfully crafted stipulation. The escape attempts weren’t made up but instead fit into the story of the two brothers doing their best to defeat each other. Of course, the in-ring work was spectacular with the crowd hot throughout as the drama reached its peak, with Bret retaining his championship after hanging out with Owen to wrap up an epic Steel Cage match.
1 The young dollars vs. The Lucha Brothers, AEW Tag Team Championship, AEW All Out 2021, 5.75*
This was an instant classic between the Young Bucks and the Lucha Brothers in this 2-on-2 steel cage match at AEW’s All Out PPV last September. Competing for the AEW Tag Team Championship, this was an absolutely incredible display of tag team wrestling as always when these two teams collide. The sequences were impressive, the intensity off the charts with the blood fueling the story further, and the superb creativity and athleticism on display throughout. Amazing sights too, particularly Rey Fénix’s fall from the top of the cage as the drama escalated in the final stretch with the Lucha Brothers emerging victorious as champions in a spectacular moment to end an epic fight.