{"id":150205,"date":"2026-01-08T11:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T16:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=150205"},"modified":"2026-01-08T03:20:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T08:20:02","slug":"ranking-all-3-stages-of-hell-matches-in-wwe-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/01\/08\/ranking-all-3-stages-of-hell-matches-in-wwe-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking All 3 Stages of Hell Matches In WWE History"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a few days, WWE will be busting out a gimmick match that we haven\u2019t seen in years. It\u2019s a match that is usually reserved for the most personal of programs. One that has included some of the most vicious moments in the history of professional wrestling. A gimmick that goes by the very fitting name of 3 Stages of Hell<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Comprised of three matches, each with its own stipulation, 3 Stages of Hell has had a suspect history. It\u2019s not a match we see very often, and considering the length required to tell a proper story, it\u2019s a match that can run on much longer than needed. It\u2019s also a contest that can involve great wrestling and brutal spots.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a 50\/50 shot for the viewing audience when the gimmick is announced. With a new one being added, it\u2019s the perfect time to look back and see how the rest of the 3 Stages of Hell fared.<\/p>\n

6) John Cena vs Ryback (Payback 2013) <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Coming out of WrestleMania 29, John Cena needed an opponent, and Ryback stepped in, who was gaining support from the crowd and the office. He was the perfect monster heel for WWE to feed to Cena, and for the most part, their program didn\u2019t turn many heads.<\/p>\n

Their one moment that stood out was a passable 3 Stages of Hell match that took place at Payback 2013. The match set itself apart from other gimmicks of the same name by starting the contest off with a Lumberjack Match, replacing the usual standard wrestling gimmick that is present for most on this list. It was a nice touch and gave the fans more of what they crave.<\/p>\n

Why this match is at the bottom of the list is more an indicator of the matches that follow. The Lumberjack, Tables, and Ambulance matches all had their entertaining moments. Ryback and Cena used the gimmick well, and the crowd was into it. However, it takes a back seat to the five other matches that operated at a higher level.<\/p>\n

\"A
Photo Credit: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

5) Randy Orton vs Triple H (The Bash 2009) <\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Bash was a short-lived WWE event that didn\u2019t really catch on as WWE had thought. It was a bad version of a \u201cgreat\u201d PLE from WCW that didn\u2019t include any classic matches. Luckily, it was promoted smack dab in the middle of Randy Orton and Triple H\u2019s on-again, off-again issues.<\/p>\n

Orton and Triple H took their heated rivalry inside the three stages that were designed to settle them. The singles, falls count anywhere, and stretcher stipulations were perfect vessels for the two men. Their chemistry drove the match, and every spot was a captivating one.<\/p>\n

It also helped that this match was a mere 21 minutes, when most 3 Stages of Hell hit the 40-minute mark. This condensed the methodical pace Orton and HHH work into a manageable portion. Everything they did was met with an intensity worthy of a WWE Championship match.<\/p>\n

The cherry on top was the win by Randy Orton. He needed to get a big victory over his former Evolution cohort. HHH was known to put himself over, but this time, Orton got his and cemented his place at the top.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

4) Kyle O\u2019Reilly vs Adam Cole (NXT Takeover 36, 2021)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Any time that the Undisputed Era combatants were wrestling, we were treated to a fantastic time. They knew how to craft a compelling contest, with this 3 Stages of Hell match being a hidden gem. It doesn\u2019t get the love it deserves, mainly because of history and the stacked card that surrounded it.<\/p>\n

The standard wrestling match, which could hinder other men, was a perfect start for these two. The chain wrestling was great, and it was nice to see O\u2019Reilly score the first fall with a quick roll-up of Cole. It was a great start and gave Adam Cole extra incentive to get vicious in their Street Fight. A Street Fight that hit all the right high notes before they moved into a passable Cage Match that ended in surprise.<\/p>\n

Even though it was his last match, Kyle O\u2019Reilly went over with his heel hook finish, forcing Cole to tap out. It\u2019s not very often that a wrestler goes over on their way out. It was a pleasant surprise to see O\u2019Reilly get his flowers in the end.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

3) Triple H vs Shawn Michaels (Armageddon 2002)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The wrestling world was jumping with excitement when The Heartbreak Kid made his triumphant return to WWE and wrestled away the World Championship from his former friend HHH. It was not a short-lived reign, mind you, but one that was a great swansong for Michaels, and one that gave us entertaining matches. Their finale at Armageddon is one of the best of them.<\/p>\n

Chemistry and emotion were always going to follow Triple H and HBK. It\u2019s what makes their matches great. When that fits into the three stipulations that allowed the men to create some chaos, then we all win.<\/p>\n

Including a Street Fight, Steel Cage, and Ladder Match work to the strengths of each man. We were also at the end of the Attitude Era here, so both men were more than willing to bleed buckets for our entertainment. It was a war of attrition between two men who wouldn\u2019t give up. A war that ended in disappointment when Triple H regained his World Heavyweight Championship.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2) Triple H vs Steve Austin (No Way Out 2001) \u00a0 <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Steve Austin needed a stopgap opponent before he walked into WrestleMania 17. He was given someone with whom he had a history, and a very personal history at best. Triple H and Austin were carbon copies of one another in the ring, and such a wide contrast outside of the squared circle. When they fought, the world took notice, and the world was watching when they tore the house down at No Way Out 2001.<\/p>\n

There was nothing fancy about this 3 Stages of Hell match. It was two wrestlers whose hatred ran deep, trying to tear the other one apart. The brawling was spot on in the contest and was a perfect example of why the Attitude Era was great. It was violent and brutal, everything a fan wants to see when the 3 Stages of Hell rears its head.<\/p>\n

This was an incredible journey that ended in a genuine shock when Triple H scored the final pinfall. Austin was on his way to main event at WrestleMania and was the logical choice to score the victory. WWE pulled off the delightful swerve of having Triple H and creating more buzz around both men as they entered the Grandest Stage.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole (NXT Takeover: Toronto, 2019)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano had the type of feud that wrestlers dream of. It hit every note imaginable with their in-ring work and promo battles. They turned everything into gold, and their matches have become the stuff of myth. Their battle in New York gets all the glory, but it’s their underrated 3 Stages of Hell Match that should be talked about.<\/p>\n

In New York, the two men engaged in a flawless 2 out of 3 falls match, then they hit Toronto and turned the action up to eleven. The stipulations surrounding their match fit the styles perfectly and allowed them to use their signature moves in creative ways. There was thought put into every movement during this match, and the cohesion made it impossible to look away.<\/p>\n

This match was the culmination of a summer program that made NXT the strongest brand within World Wrestling Entertainment. Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole became the measuring stick for every other performer on the black and gold brand.<\/p>\n

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Header photo \u2013 WWE \u2013 Stay tuned to the\u00a0<\/i><\/em>Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a> for more on 3 Stages of Hell and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the significant news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n

You can check out WWE programming on\u00a0<\/i><\/em>Netflix<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>\u00a0(Raw),\u00a0<\/i><\/em>USA Network<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>\u00a0(SmackDown),\u00a0<\/i><\/em>The CW<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>\u00a0(NXT),\u00a0<\/i><\/em>Tubi<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>\u00a0(WWE Evolve),\u00a0<\/i><\/em>A&E<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>\u00a0(WWE Superstar Sunday \u2013 Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments), and\u00a0<\/i><\/em>Peacock<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>\u00a0(WWE Main Event, as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on\u00a0<\/i><\/em>YouTube<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>, and catch fast-paced action on X (<\/i><\/em>WWE Speed<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>).<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a few days, WWE will be busting out a gimmick match that we haven\u2019t seen in years. It\u2019s a match that is usually reserved for the most personal of programs. One that has included some of the most vicious moments in the history of professional wrestling. A gimmick that goes by the very fitting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4518,"featured_media":150243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7205,4,3],"tags":[9601],"class_list":["post-150205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","tag-3-stages-of-hell"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4518"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=150205"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":150245,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150205\/revisions\/150245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/150243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=150205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=150205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}