WWE Hell in a Cell 2017: Shane McMahon's Jump and the Best Hell in a Cell Stunts

WWE Hell in a Cell has a legacy built around stunts.

Though WWE has become kindler and gentler over the years with TV-PG programming, Hell in a Cell highlights have only become more dangerous and spectacular over time. The most recent stunts have featured Shane McMahon leaping off the top of a 20-foot structure, while Charlotte and Sasha Banks got in on the action months later in 2016 by becoming the first women to compete in the vaunted cage match.

With Shane McMahon set to return to Hell in a Cell with a match against Kevin Owens, it's all but guaranteed he will add to the Hell in a Cell highlight reel with yet another death-defying leap that could challenge those that made this list.

Both risk factor and historical significance were considered when compiling this hierarchy, which features a who's who of "How (and why) did he do that?!"

5. Cactus Jack Falls Through the Cell at No Way Out 2000

Tasked with the seemingly impossible job of outdoing his unforgettable fall from the top of the Hell in a Cell in 1998, Mick Foley—portraying Cactus Jack—managed to come close during what was supposed to be a retirement match against Triple H at No Way Out 2000.

The match peaked when Triple H performed a back body drop on Foley, who went crashing through the top of the cell with so much force he fell through and dented the ring canvas. Though violent to the naked eye, this spot quite possibly could be one of the safer Hell in a Cell stunts because of the seemingly soft landing.

4. The Undertaker Chokeslams Rikishi off the Top of the Cell at Armageddon 2000

In a year of daredevil Hell in a Cell stunts, six current and future WWE Hall of Famers closed out 2000 with an exciting cell match of their own.

The fact that Kurt Angle emerged victorious in the main event of Armageddon 2000 is mere wrestling trivia because this match will always be remembered as the night Rikishi was chokeslammed onto a bed of wood chips.

Just like Mankind has been on the receiving end of Hell in a Cell punishment over the years, The Undertaker is typically on the offensive in these stunts, and Armageddon 2000 was no different, as the Samoan super heavyweight fell, impressively, off the enormous structure.

3. The Undertaker Chokeslams Mankind Through the Cell at King of the Ring 1998

Mankind will figure to be a theme throughout this list, and rightfully so. One cannot mortgage their body through a series of falls in one of WWE's most dangerous matches without getting their just due, and this was the match that started it all.

After being thrown off the top of the cell (more on that later), Mankind valiantly battled back into the match, shedding EMTs just as he was simultaneously shedding the Mankind character in favor of Mick Foley.

Undertaker's chokeslam on Mankind was the second-most memorable spot of that night, but it has endured as one of the most memorable moments in Hell in a Cell history.

2. Shane McMahon Performs a Flying Elbow at WrestleMania 32

I was live at WrestleMania 32 to see Shane McMahon jump off the top of a 20-foot cell onto a vacant table, and the vibe was indescribable. Imagine over 90,000 fans fearing for one man's life.

WWE did a great job of capturing the obvious trepidation as Shane stood on top of the cell and prepared to dive into immortality.

Though McMahon's stunt makes for a great clip, it hurt the match itself, as The Undertaker and McMahon seemed to spend much of the earlier moments preparing for what was to come instead of wrestling a match that could live up to Undertaker's once-lofty standards at WrestleMania.

The fact that Shane McMahon, who has made a career out of these kinds of stunts, is primed to enter a Hell in a Cell for the second year in a row is cause for both anticipation and fear.

1. The Undertaker Tosses Mankind Off the Cell at King of the Ring 1998

The Undertaker and Mankind are the godfathers of Hell in a Cell.

Their matchup at King of the Ring 1998 was the very mixture of high drama and demolition derby that is often difficult to achieve in the modern-day format.

Like timeless moments in any major pro sport, The Undertaker vs. Mankind at King of the Ring 1998 produced a series of legendary moments that left a permanent imprint in wrestling history.

There was Mankind's masochistic smile. His even more masochistic rise from a stretcher. Even Terry Funk literally got chokeslammed out of his shoes.

It was all headlined by The Undertaker throwing Mankind off the top of Hell in a Cell in what was thought to be the end of a wild exhibition. Instead, it was the beginning of an immortal chapter of pro wrestling.

Alfred Konuwa is a Featured Columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report and Forbes. Like him on Facebook.