WWE Hell in a Cell 2014: Biggest Breakout Performances in PPV History

WWE Hell in a Cell has been a hit-or-miss pay-per-view that doesn't always deliver on a once surefire promise of innovative, caged violence.

Still, this pay-per-view is filled with breakout performances from both up-and-coming stars as well as late bloomers.

Breakout performances on this list range from early feuds between super athletes Dolph Ziggler and John Morrison to Daniel Bryan's United States Championship run. Each match kept the drama from start to finish while engaging the crowd and generally overachieving. 

Performances are graded by match quality, storytelling and how much each match—and its stars—went above and beyond expectations.

5. John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler (2009)

This match was every bit as athletic as it appeared on paper.

Possibly WWE's two best athletes, John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler put on an electric showcase in a very good Intercontinental Championship match. Multiple near-falls added to the drama of a show-stealing effort from both performers.

Referred to as a "very good match" by Wade Keller of PWTorch, the competitive matchup saw the two young stars go back and forth. This was around the time Ziggler was developing his "show-off" persona, so part of the story was Ziggler's own cockiness backfiring against him.

With Morrison's departure in 2011, fans can only look at this match and wonder how entertaining a long-term Ziggler-Morrison rivalry could have been (see above match from Raw for further reference).

4. Sheamus vs. Orton (2010)

This well-paced, main event-style world title match outperformed its slot as the second match on the card.

Sheamus and Orton didn't make much use of the cell, but the two worked well together in a contest that became more physical as it progressed.

It was one of a few highlights on the so-so pay-per-view. Rob McNichol of The Sun (subscription only) praised it as "easily the best match of the night."

The 2010 match occurred early in Sheamus' run as a top heel, and his ability to hang with a tenured veteran like Orton helped establish him as more than just an Irish monster. Sheamus infused brawling, weapons and even traditional wrestling moves like DDTs and backbreakers to impose his unique offense on Orton.

Orton would claim the victory, but the wide-ranging skills shown by Sheamus are exactly what make him one of the most underutilized talents in WWE today.

3. Daniel Bryan vs. John Morrison vs. the Miz (2010)

As Daniel Bryan made his way up the WWE ladder, his first major feud came against The Miz.

Formerly his mentor—a term used loosely—during the first season of NXT, Bryan had made it to the main roster, and their tensions from the developmental show only escalated. Meanwhile, Miz and former tag team partner John Morrison also had history.

The intersecting feuds resulted in a fantastic match between the three up-and-coming talents. Early pay-per-view matches for Bryan like this one would help him gain credibility as he eventually became a WWE world heavyweight champion at WrestleMania XXX. Miz would also go on to become WWE champion, headlining WrestleMania XXVII three years prior.

This was a mixture of chain wrestling and brawling as opportunistic heel Miz shrewdly drew heat by picking his spots.

Bryan eventually picked up the victory, submitting The Miz. Wade Keller of PWTorch described the Triple Threat match as a "very good opener," with a "good mix of innovative submissions along with some big high spots and a satisfying finish."

2. Big Show vs. Sheamus (2012)

The matchup of Irish brawler Sheamus and 7'0" giant the Big Show hardly looked appealing to the traditional wrestling fan.

These styles didn't seem like they would mesh the way, say, Sheamus and Orton did, and the offense seemed like it would be limited on both sides.

The lengthy match told a great story, however, as both Superstars expertly capitalized on the built-in drama of a world championship semi-main event.

The look in Sheamus' eye as he prepared for a climactic Brogue Kick was priceless, but in the end, a surprise twist came in the form of a sudden Knockout Punch from the Big Show as the legend secured yet another world championship victory.

1. Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton (2011)

No wonder WWE is trying to recapture the magic of the "that's what I do" Mark Henry.

Despite being almost two decades into an overachieving career, Henry was in the midst of the strongest run of his career late in 2011.

Booked to destroy just about everything any time he appeared on WWE programming, Henry's monstrous tear culminated in a dominating Hell in a Cell victory over then-world heavyweight champion Randy Orton.

Before Brock Lesnar obliterated John Cena at SmackDown, it was Henry's win over Orton that was arguably the most one-sided world championship match in recent history, adding another victim to his Hall of Pain.

Henry's clean victory over Orton led to a surge in ratings on SmackDown, according to James Caldwell of PWTorch, where he reigned as champion.

With one of the latest career breakthroughs in WWE history, Henry proved that he only continues to get better with age.

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