One of the most memorable spots from last night’s WWE PPV Hell in a Cell came in the main event when Drew McIntyre fell from the side of the cell and through the commentary table.
According to Dave Meltzer, the bump was designed to be a tribute to Shawn Michaels’ identical bump in the first ever Hell in a Cell match at Badd Blood back in October 1997.
In that classic bout, Michaels was sent hurtling off the side of the cage by opponent The Undertaker, crashing through the announce desk below as Jerry Lawler made the legendary call “Incoming!”
McIntyre has long credited Shawn Michaels as one of his biggest inspirations and mentors, and the bump he took from the cell was his way of replicating that famous fall 23 years ago.
The Heartbreak Kid was recently involved in Drew’s rivalry with HIAC opponent Randy Orton, assisting him in their Ambulance Match at Clash of Champions when he hurled Orton from the ambulance through the stage below.
Michaels scored the win in that first HIAC bout, defeating The Undertaker thanks to an assist from the debuting Kane, who drilled his storyline brother with a Tombstone.
Drew McIntyre did not have the same luck as his mentor though, falling to defeat at Hell in a Cell courtesy of an RKO and dropping the WWE Championship that he had held since overcoming Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36.