The History of Bad Blood
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has a long history of pay-per-view (PPV) events that have captivated fans, from WrestleMania to SummerSlam. Among the more infamous PPV events, Bad Blood stands out as a unique part of wrestling history, particularly for introducing one of WWE’s most brutal and memorable match types—the Hell in a Cell.
Origins of Bad Blood
The first-ever Bad Blood event took place on October 5, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri. At the time, WWE (then known as WWF) was in the thick of the “Monday Night Wars” with rival promotion WCW. With Bad Blood, WWE sought to provide a new, edgy event that could build on the intense rivalries within the company. The event became famous for two major reasons: the tragic death of Brian Pillman and the debut of the now-iconic Hell in a Cell match.
The First Hell in a Cell Match
Bad Blood: In Your House 1997 is primarily remembered for hosting the first-ever Hell in a Cell match, which pitted The Undertaker against Shawn Michaels. This match was created to be more dangerous and brutal than any cage match before it, with the cage completely surrounding the ring and extending to the floor. The match ended when Kane made his surprise WWE debut, interfering in the match to attack The Undertaker. This helped Michaels secure the victory and solidified the Hell in a Cell concept as one of the most dangerous and dramatic match types in WWE history.
The debut of Hell in a Cell became a monumental moment in WWE lore, and the match itself has been regarded as one of the greatest in WWE history, with Michaels and The Undertaker delivering a performance that’s still discussed decades later.
Tragedy at the First Bad Blood
Bad Blood 1997 is also remembered for the heartbreaking news that occurred just before the event went live. Brian Pillman, a popular and talented wrestler, was found dead in his hotel room hours before the show, a shocking and tragic moment that cast a shadow over the evening. The WWE dedicated the PPV to his memory, and his death is still mourned by wrestling fans today.
The Revival of Bad Blood (2003–2004)
After the success of the 1997 edition, WWE retired the Bad Blood name, only to resurrect it six years later in 2003. By this time, WWE had undergone significant changes, including absorbing WCW and ECW and renaming itself from WWF to WWE. The brand split, which separated WWE’s roster into Raw and SmackDown, also played a key role in reshaping its PPV calendar.
Bad Blood was reintroduced as a Raw-exclusive PPV in 2003. While it lacked the immediate historical impact of the 1997 event, it remained significant in the early 2000s, especially for Raw’s growing emphasis on edgier and more intense programming.
The 2003 and 2004 Bad Blood events were main-evented by Triple H, who defended his World Heavyweight Championship in two consecutive Hell in a Cell matches. In 2003, Triple H battled Kevin Nash in a hard-hitting affair, and in 2004, he faced his former Evolution stablemate Shawn Michaels. Both matches were brutal and physically demanding, further cementing Bad Blood’s association with intense, emotionally driven contests.
Cancellation and Legacy
After 2004, WWE discontinued the Bad Blood PPV, replacing it with events like Vengeance and eventually Night of Champions. However, Bad Blood holds a special place in WWE history due to its contribution to the Hell in a Cell legacy.
In later years, WWE introduced the Hell in a Cell PPV in 2009, dedicating an entire event to the match type first introduced at Bad Blood 1997. Though the Bad Blood name was no longer used, its influence remained. There have been rumors over the years that WWE might revive Bad Blood, with 2017 being the pencilled in for the return to no prevail. On July 6th, 2024, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and record producer Metro Boomin, both Atlanta natives, announced on the WWE YouTube channel that Bad Blood would be making a return, emanating from State Farm Arena, in Atlanta, Georgia on October 5th, 2024.
Impact on Wrestling History
WWE’s Bad Blood PPV will always be remembered for its impact on the wrestling landscape. The Hell in a Cell match that debuted at the event went on to become one of the most iconic match types in WWE history, leading to countless legendary showdowns in the years that followed. Wrestlers such as The Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Mankind have all had their legacies defined by Hell in a Cell matches, many of which can trace their lineage back to the inaugural contest at Bad Blood 1997.
Though only held three times (at the time of writing), Bad Blood has earned a unique place in WWE history. From the drama and innovation of the first Hell in a Cell match to the memorable championship bouts in the 2000s, Bad Blood remains a beloved, if somewhat underappreciated, chapter in WWE’s storied past.
PPV + PLE Content. Northern Adelaide suburbs resident with a lifelong passion for professional wrestling since the age of 14. What drew Rhys to wrestling was the antics of Eddie Guerrero and the freestyles of John Cena, and has been hooked ever since. Currently, Rhys watches WWE and AEW programing. This passion for wrestling has led to Rhys writing for PW Down Under, where he has become the resident PPV guy.
