PWPNation.com contributor Chris Baker gives a play-by-play of the Cactus Jack vs. Triple H Hell in a Cell battle at No Way Out 2000 as “The Highway to Hell in a Cell” continues
“The Hardcore Legend” is a nickname that describes a man known for revolutionizing hardcore wrestling. Throughout the 1990s, Mick Foley was prominent in all major wrestling promotions: WCW, ECW, and WWE.
No matter how many thumbtacks stuck in his body, Foley was always giving fans the hardcore wrestling they yearned to see. Foley had three personas during his WWE career. Dude Love, Mankind, and Cactus Jack were all figures that defined the Attitude Era.
Toward the end of his first run in WWE, Cactus Jack was back and looking for a fight. At the time, what better brawler was there than Triple H?
So Cactus Jack went after Triple H and the WWF Championship, leading to their infamous match at No Way Out 2000. Among Foley’s legendary career, there had never been a match with so much blood, intensity and heart.
When Cactus Jack and Triple H came face-to-face at Royal Rumble 2000, even Foley was shocked by the hell-bound destruction brought forth. At the beginning of 2000, Triple H stood atop all of the World Wrestling Federation (hence the nickname “The Game”),
On the other hand, there were rumors that Mick Foley’s retirement was coming soon. Foley had never been a quitter, which is why he set his eyes on Triple H and his WWF Championship. For The Hardcore Legend, a Street Fight was the perfect way to do this.
Although he fell short in the Royal Rumble brawl, Mick Foley still had fight left in him.
Come No Way Out 2000, Hell in a Cell was about more than just brutality; if Cactus Jack failed to win the WWF Championship, he must retire.
Ding Ding! The bell rang, and Cactus tried to open the cell door. Due to this distracction, Triple H thought he could sneak up on his opponent, but Cactus threw a right hand, instead.
The two started exchanging blows in the ring, most of which were given by Cactus.
After a few minutes, Triple H gained control by throwing the challenger into the steel steps. Moments later, The Game threw the same steps at Cactus’ face.
Steel was still a factor, as Triple H repeatedly hit his opponent with a chair.
There was a game-changer when Cactus hit the champion with a low blow. This change of momentum was very brief, though.
Triple H continuously bounced Cactus’ head off the cell. But as soon as Triple H was going for a piledriver on the steps, Cactus swung him face-first into the cell.
Now that The Game was finally busted open, Cactus inflicted more pain by rubbing his foe’s face against the cell. Chair in hand, Cactus throw himself at Triple H’s skull.
Cactus was able to loosen the steel of the cell, and he opened it completely by launching Triple H.
Blood was everywhere, especially after Cactus hit a piledriver on the announce table.
The crowd got even rowdier when Cactus nailed Triple H with a barbed-wire 2×4.
Attempting to stop his opponent’s wrath, Triple H made his way to the top of the cell. Cactus tried to follow, but Triple H pushed him off, plummeting through the announce table.
Somehow Cactus climbed back up, only to be hit with the barbed-wire.
Cactus hit another low blow, then he suplexed his opponent onto the steel. That wasn’t the only time The Game’s head hit the top of the cell, as Cactus hit a double-arm DDT.
Let there be fire! Cactus set the 2×4 ablaze, next hitting Triple H in the face with it.
Triple H escaped another DDT, this time by back-dropping Cactus right through the cell. As soon as his body came crashing down, part of the mat caved in.
“And Cactus Jack has broken in half!” Jim Ross howled.
But Cactus still had life in him. He was able to get onto his feet, but Triple H was quick to hit the pedigree.
The ref made the three-count.
Fans chanted “Foley” like never before, as Cactus walked back to the locker room. A standing ovation had never been more deserved.
Lucky for the wrestling industry, Mick Foley’s career didn’t officially end until 2013.
Well, at the end of the day, ever new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.