5. Triple H vs. Chris Jericho – Fully Loaded
Chris Jericho has said that he was not feeling himself in WWE until he wrestled Triple H.
This was in regards to his match on Raw in Penn State but this match at Fully Loaded illustrates how Jericho was able to completely get back on his game at the time.
This Last Man Standing match was Jericho’s best match in WWE to this point. He had yet to be portrayed as a main event star and while there was still a long way to go on that front, wrestling to a draw with Triple H in 2000 was pretty huge.
Fully Loaded had a pair of fantastic matches on top and this was one of the better ones of the whole year as well.
4. Kurt Angle vs. Triple H vs. The Rock vs. Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker vs. Rikishi – Armageddon
The Armageddon 2000 Hell in a Cell match is very silly but it is also very fun. Filled with the five biggest WWE stars at the time and Rikishi, this is the most star-studded Hell in a Cell match ever.
All of the year’s biggest storylines combined at this show into one massive match. Steve Austin’s return and feud with Triple H and Rikishi, as well as The Rock and The Undertaker’s quests to be WWE Champion were all on display in this match.
This is most remembered for The Undertaker pushing Rikishi off the cage onto some sawdust but the match is actually really good. Everyone does their part well and this match feels properly chaotic.
Vince McMahon tries to ruin the fun as he often does, but his interference allowed for a unique way to escape the cage.
3. Triple H vs. Cactus Jack – No Way Out
Just as 2000 ended with a Hell in a Cell match, it began with one as well. Triple H’s rivalry with Mick Foley was arguably the best work of his entire career and it culminated with this match.
With Foley’s career on the line, he put Triple H over as the biggest heel in the business. This is when Triple H was at his best, and this match helped establish Hell in a Cell as Triple H’s match for the next decade.
This was pure Attitude Era violence. There was barbed wire and fire, both men were bleeding, and the finish was Foley get body dropped through the roof of the cell through the ring.
Thankfully the ring was gimmicked and not as deadly as Foley’s match with The Undertaker, but it was still a jaw-dropping finish to a fantastic match.
