WWE Hell in a Cell 2015: Most Controversial Moments in PPV's History

Even though it's only been going a few years, the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view is one that's not been without controversy in the past.

Ahead of this year's event, which will have Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker as its main event, it seems appropriate to look back at the mild and the extreme controversy that has plagued this pay-per-view over the last few years.

Whether it's controversial picks to win matches, or even matches that should never have happened in the first place, here are a few examples of some controversy we've seen at Hell in a Cell.

CM Punk Losing (2011)

2011 was CM Punk's year in WWE, of that few people can doubt. 

His infamous promo shot him up to the top of the company, but a questionable interference from Kevin Nash at SummerSlam that year led to Punk losing the WWE Championship at the hands of Alberto Del Rio.

Credit: WWE.com

The whole Nash thing didn't really make sense at all, so when Punk was thrown into the main event at the 2011 edition of Hell in a Cell, it was an opportunity for WWE to make amends and put the strap back on the guy who truly deserved it.

He had already lost the title at SummerSlam, and then Triple H defeated him at Night of Champions, so when Punk lost for a third consecutive pay-per-view, it left fans perplexed about what was happening with the booking of the Straight Edge Superstar.

Thankfully, he would eventually regain the title and go on a historic run as WWE champion. But why he wasn't given the opportunity to avoid a third straight loss here is controversial indeed.

HBK Costs Daniel Bryan Victory (2013)

Of all the moments that had real controversy surrounding them at Hell in a Cell, this was by far one of the biggest.

It was at the 2013 show, where Daniel Bryan challenged Randy Orton in the main event for the vacant WWE Championship. This was back at the beginning of The Authority storyline, where they had become heel and dragged Randy Orton along for the ride, too.

Credit: WWE.com

Orton and Bryan had produced a good match throughout, but when Michaels was accidentally knocked down after Bryan pushed his rival into HBK, huge controversy followed.

Bryan would lay down Triple H with his running knee, but before he had time to react and get the win against Orton, Michaels decked his former pupil with Sweet Chin Music and cost Bryan victory.

It was one of what proved to be many instances where The Authority screwed Bryan over the next few months, but the fact it was Michaels who was performed the act of betrayal made it one of the more notable accounts and certainly one of Hell in a Cell's most controversial moments.

Bray Wyatt Interferes in Ambrose vs. Rollins (2014)

One of the hottest feuds of 2014 had to be Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins after the latter had spectacularly caused The Shield to implode earlier in the year. 

Rollins and Ambrose had produced some stellar matches before Hell in a Cell, and the latest installment here inside the cell was another to be added to that list.

Credit: WWE.com

But what made this one so different is how the most unlikely of sources would end up costing Ambrose the victory: Bray Wyatt.

Ambrose was just about to nail a Curb Stomp and lay out Rollins before the arena was plunged into darkness and a solitary lantern sat in the middle of the ring.

It was evidently a creepy Wyatt vignette, and when Wyatt emerged from the smoke and blindsided Ambrose, it gave the master opportunist Rollins another chance to steal a win.

Cue Rollins getting the victory and Wyatt laughing at Ambrose as the show went off the air. It would bring an end to the Ambrose-Rollins feud in a rather disappointing manner, but thankfully for WWE fans, the rivalry briefly returned earlier this year.

Brad Maddox Screws Ryback (2012)

When you think back only three years, it's amazing to look at how much has changed in WWE. 

The one constant from the main event of 2012 and the likely headline bout of this year's show is Paul Heyman. CM Punk left WWE, Ryback is now in the midcard and Brad Maddox is even lower than that.

Thinking back, Maddox screwing Ryback and costing him the WWE Championship is ridiculous booking, and it was just as controversial three years ago when The Big Guy was denied the big prize.

Back then, Maddox was a referee, but he would also aid Punk and Heyman to allow the former to leave as WWE champion at Hell in a Cell. Ryback was unbeaten at this point, so when Punk pulled off a roll-up pin, and Maddox leaned on top for extra weight and gave a fast three-count, it left plenty shocked at how Ryback had been given his first loss.

Of course, Ryback would get his retribution and lay out both Maddox and Punk, the latter on top of the cell to close the show, but he never really seemed to recover from that.

It was by far one of Hell in a Cell's most controversial finishes.