Professional wrestling match types
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:Reorganizing Many types of matches can be found in professional wrestling. Some of them occur frequently, while others are developed so as to advance a storyline, and thus are contested only once. The following is a list of common or otherwise notable match types.
Match types in professional wrestling are often either notable due to its frequent use, logistics of setup, or a memorable instance of such a match. Some one-time match types are often notable either they are used as a finale to a popular or infamous storyline, or the execution of a match itself.
Because professional wrestling is a type of performance art, many match types are variations of existing match types, and thus matches can be organized into several loose groupings.
Variations of singles matches
The standard wrestling match (or One Fall Match) involves two wrestlers attempting to win the match through either pinfall, submission, disqualification, or countout. Some consider countout, where a wrestler leaves the ring and does not return in the ring after a ten-count, a form of disqualification.
In matches where championships are on the line, the champion typically retains the title in a disqualification or countout finish (even if the champion loses the match) - Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a notable exception. Often storylines with heel champions may attempt to protect their title reign by forcing disqualifications or countouts.
Some of the most common variations on the singles match is to restrict the possible means for victory: Pin only or Pinfall match where only pinfalls are permitted, Submission match where only submissions are permitted, and so forth. Another variation is a Time Limit match in which a match is contested until a time limit is reached or a wrestler achieves victory - in the event of the former, a separate method (audience reaction, "judges", or even a rematch) is used to determine the winner. A Battle of Respect is often held in tribute to another wrestler, where all means of victory are removed (that is, wrestlers simply wrestle each other for a fixed amount of time, without victory taken into consideration).
The following matches have their own articles due to them being commonplace, and thus information about these matches are in their own articles:
Blindfold Match
Sometimes one, usually both, competitors wear blindfolds and wrestle. Otherwise normal rules apply.
Catch-as-Catch-Can Match
Typically seen in the early 1900's, catch-as-catch-can matches allowed any hold given that hold is not intended to inflict injury. These matches thus typically contain mostly submission or amateur-style wrestling. Sometimes, this match is altered to stipulate that a wrestler may lose by going to or being forced to the arena floor, like in a battle royal.
Empty Arena Match
A hardcore match that consists of two (or more) wrestlers fighting in an empty arena with a referee and no spectators. The match is either taped and broadcast for fans to watch afterwards or aired live from one or two cameras which follows the wrestlers around the arena.
Falls Count Anywhere Match
In the standard match, a pinfall or submission can only win the match when it is performed inside the ring. However, in a Falls Count Anywhere match, this does not apply. As such, this also implies that wrestlers cannot lose as a result of countout. The "Falls Count Anywhere" is somewhat of a misnomer in the fact that wrestlers may still be disqualified (but not counted out) for leaving the arena where the match is to be held (this, of course, may vary between promotion). However, it is to be noted that, as the match may take place in various parts of the arena, the "Falls Count Anywhere" provision may be one of many stipulations in a match - it is commonly paired with "No Disqualifications" to form the hardcore match, so as to allow wrestlers the convienience to use foreign objects that may lie wherever they may wrestle.
Another variation of the rules state that once a pinfall takes, the pinned wrestler must return to the ring within a specific amount of time or else lose. If the pinned wrestler makes it to the ring in this time, the match continues. Under these rules, all pinfalls must take place outside the ring.
Flag Match
The Flag Match is essentially the professional wrestling version of capture the flag, in which there are two flags on opposite turnbuckles in the ring, with one wrestler defending one flag while attempting to get the other.
A variation of the Flag Match can be a regular one-fall-to-a-finish match between 2 wrestlers, each usually representing a different promotion, fighting for the right to raise the flag of their respected promotion. This variation was used at Extreme Championship Wrestling November 2 Remember 1997 in a match between Rob Van Dam (representing the World Wrestling Federation) and Tommy Dreamer (representing Extreme Championship Wrestling).
Handicap Match
A match in which one wrestler or one team of wrestlers faces another team of wrestlers with numerical superiority. For example, two wrestlers against one.
Hangman's Horror Match
In this match, on every rope there is a dog collar and your goal is to hang your opponent until he can't go on. This match was created by Raven to end his feud with Vampiro.
Inferno Match
In this match fire surrounds the ring and the only way to win is to set your opponent on fire. The most famous match of this type was between storyline half-brothers The Undertaker and Kane.
Iron Man Match
An Iron Man match is a professional wrestling match where the man with the most pinfalls, submissions, count out and disqualification victories at the end of a given time limit is declared the winner. Should the match result in a tie, sudden death overtime may be requested by either wrestler, often accepted (or rejected) by either an opponent or a higher (on-screen) wrestling authority
Lumberjack Match
A Lumberjack match is a match in which the ring is surrounded by a group of fellow wrestlers, known collectively as the lumberjacks, who are there ostensibly to prevent either of the competitors from leaving the ring (avoiding a beating and, in the process, taking a count out loss).
A typical lumberjack arrangement involve a mixture of faces and heels, in which the lumberjacks will only choose to attack the participants of opposite alignment. Lumberjacks are not forced into attacking any participant, and may attack each other, depending on storyline progression and current alliance. Another arrangement is to have an all-heel group of lumberjacks, which will attack only face competitors (in an effort to have the face lose by countout) while trying to help the heel back into the ring as soon as possible (to avoid countout).
Keeping with the lumberjack theme, many early lumberjack matches featured the lumberjacks wearing stereotypical lumberjack clothing, though this generally is not done nowadays.
A variation of this match is called a Canadian Lumberjack Match, in which the lumberjacks are equipped with leather straps. When the lumberjacks are all female, the match is known as a Lumberjill Match.
(Move) Match
There is a specific type of match where in order to win the only thing you have to do to win is perform a specific move. Usually a signature move of the wrestlers is selected, although on occasion it will be a generic move (i.e. bodyslam) that is notoriously hard to perform on both wrestlers. The match usually takes the name of the target move (i.e. Chokeslam Challenge, Bodyslam match) or is more genericized to "Finisher Match" if both wrestlers are trying to perform their finisher for the win.
(x) Rules Match
A Rules Match is a match where one wrestler (usually the heel) will challenge another wrestler to a match under specific rules (i.e. Canadian, Duchess Of Queensbury, English) without actually going into detail on what those rules are or mean. During the match the challenging wrestler will usually have a second sitting at ringside to announce rules and rule changes which will favor that wrestler. If there is no second it's not unusual for the challenging wrestler to just walk out of the ring and tell the new rule to the ring announcer who will announce it over the PA.
Scaffold Match
This match takes place on a scaffold above the ring. The two ways to win the match are to push the opponent off of the scaffold so that he/she hits the mat or to grab the flag from the opponent's home base of the scaffold and return it to one's own home base. Some variations include putting weapons or objects into the ring for when the opponent lands, for example card tables.
Another variation, called a Scaffold Cage Match, is when the wrestlers beat each other until one is knocked off of the scaffold and into the ring. The ring is surrounded by a high steel cage and the only way to win is by pinfall.
Special Referee
Also known as Special Guest Referee is any match in which the usual referee is replaced with a "guest" filling in as the official. Celebrities (such as Muhammed Ali in the main event of Wrestlemania 1) , managers and other wrestlers can "guest" as the special referee. In some cases, a special referee is put into a match which is already a different match type or stipulation (for example: Hell in a Cell with a Special Referee). The special referee will often be biased towards or against one of the competitors or will be assigned as the Special Referee to ensure the match is called down the line.
- Special Outside Referee:
- Also known as Special Enforcer or Special Guest Enforcer is same as the Special Referee but the guest referee stays on the outside enforcing what the normal referee doesn't see. These guests are sometimes known as "enforcers", the most famous of which was Mike Tyson who served as the Special Guest Enforcer for the Steve Austin/Shawn Michaels WWF title match at WrestleMania XIV, and Chuck Norris who served as Special Guest Enforcer at Survivor Series 1994 in a match between Undertaker and Yokozuna.
Strip Matches
There are two kinds of matches which are contested where a wrestler can without pinfalls but by stripping their opponent of their clothing.
Historically, these types of matches were contested between managers or valets, due to their supposed lack of wrestling ability. Because of this, and the fact that few divas are trained in wrestling (or advanced enough in their training that they can have a full match), many refer to this type match derogatively as a "diva match", because little actual wrestling is involved. Also as a result, post-match antics where all other competitors (occasionally the referee as well) are stripped down to their underwear are also common.
Bra And Panties Match
The Bra and Panties Match, contested between female wrestlers (and or valets), is one such match where wrestlers are forced to strip their opponent down to their underwear. The clothing involved may vary, and the match may take the name of such clothing - for example, the Evening Gown Match will have wrestlers trying to remove the opponent's evening gown.
In some extreme promotions, a variation known as the Buck Naked Match exists where the objective is to remove all the clothing from an opponent, leaving the opponent nude (although nudity is assumed to be appropriately covered somehow).
A Bra and Panties Match (or its variations) may also refer to a match where wrestlers are required to strip down to their underwear before the match, with everything afterwards proceeding normally.
Tuxedo Match
The Tuxedo Match, usually contested between male managers (and the occasional ring announcer), is the pre-cursor to the Bra And Panties Match. It takes its name from the idea that both competitors will be dressed in a full tuxedo at the outset of the match. These matches were popular in the WWE of the 80s.
Non-wrestling Singles Variations
Some matches do actually involve wrestling, instead relying on other sports or physical activity to determine a winner and a loser. Common types of matches include arm wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and sumo.
Arm Wrestling Match
A basic arm wrestling contest. Can be contested between two Divas, two male competitors (often to show off the strength) or between one male and one female. Often the male in the latter will be a manager going against the wrestler of a competitor
Boxing Match
Standard boxing rules apply, although nearly every one of these matches ends with somebody breaking the rules and wrestling or fighting in a manner outside of boxing (and typically getting away with it).
Pillow Fight
A match between two women in which pillows and a bed are placed in the ring. The pillows may be used as weapons, and standard wrestling rules apply, although this kind of match ordinarily features little to no wrestling.
- Lingerie Pillow Fight:
- A variation on the pillow fight wherein the participants wear lingerie.
Sumo Match
The ropes are removed from the ring and standard sumo wrestling rules apply: the first to step outside of the ring or to touch the mat with any part of their body but the soles of the feet is the loser. As would be expected, these matches are much shorter than standard professional wrestling bouts. The most notable match of this kind happened at WWE WrestleMania 21 between The Big Show and Sumo Grand Champion, Akebono.
Hardcore-based Variations
Hardcore wrestling is often termed as a form of wrestling where some, or, more often than not, all of the traditional grounds of wrestling need not apply. As such, the primary rule of hardcore wrestling is that there are no disqualifications nor countouts - that is, the usual rules of professional wrestling need not (and often do not) apply. Some promotions, such as Extreme Championship Wrestling and Combat Zone Wrestling, specialize in hardcore matches, and "standard" non-hardcore matches are rare.
The standard hardcore match, as defined by WWE, is one combining the no-disqualification rule with "Falls Count Anywhere". Because of the generally chaotic nature of the standard hardcore match, many so-called "match types" are merely euphemisms for a hardcore match, often to emphasize certain aspects of hardcore wrestling. A common such euphemism is the Death Match, used to promote the often brutal injuries that wrestlers may have to endure in such a match. Because of this, hardcore matches are most often remembered for the potentially dangerous spots rather than the final outcome.
A common euphemism employed for a hardcore match is a Street Fight, where wrestlers would supposedly wrestle in the clothes that they came into the arena with, rather than in standard wrestling gear. ECW Rules Matches are also sometimes used by the WWE to try and capture the essence of Extreme Championship Wrestling (especially when promoting ECW-type events or wrestlers with a heavy ECW background), where all matches were done in this manner. Other euphimisms for hardcore-style matches include the Bunkhouse Brawl, the No Holds Barred match, the Unsanctioned match and the Good Housekeeping match, the last of which was used to emphasize the use of kitchen implements as legal foreign objects.
Because of the no-disqualification rule, a common finish to such a match is the cluster, in which wrestlers (most of which are not involved in the match nor the storyline behind it) run-in and brawl amongst each other. This is often used to announce the end of a show, with the match ending in a no-decision.
While in WCW the wrestler Raven used Raven's Rules to denote a hardcore match. He usually brought out a shopping cart full of various weapons.
World Championship Wrestling also created their own specific brand of hardcore matches wherein the bouts were to begin in the backstage rather than in the ring (although typically matches would end inside the ring). This rule became the basis for the unpopular video game WCW Backstage Assault.
First Blood Match
The First Blood match is a hardcore-style match where in order to win a wrestler has to make his opponent bleed. Wrestlers rarely "juice hardway" in such a match - instead the match is generally booked so as to have the loser perform a blade job (cut themself).
Last Man Standing Match
The Last Man Standing Match is a hardcore-style match where the only way to win is by knockout. That is, a wrestler will lose the match if they are unable to answer a ten-count after either being knocked down (or in some cases after being pinned), in the style of boxing matches. It is sometimes known as a Texas Death Match when hardcore aspects are to be emphasized.
No Disqualification Match
Although there is no semantic difference between standard hardcore matches and simple no-disqualification matches, a No Disqualification match is considered low-key by comparison, with disqualification-worthy material limited to run-ins and the introduction of ringside foreign objects.
Sometimes, a No Disqualification Match is held between valets, or a valet and a wrestler, where it is implied that wrestlers will run-in and "defend" their valets.
Sadistic Madness
Sadistic Madness is a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling specialty match, in which the object is to make an opponent bleed before pinning them. A pinfall on a wrestler who is not bleeding does not count towards victory. Typically, all of the contestants involved will be bleeding before anyone is pinned.
Stipulation-based Variations
As professional wrestling seeks to also tell a story, many matches are made mainly for the purposes of advancing the plot. This typically involves the loser of a match of some form being penalized for losing (Usually in the matches with humiliating consequences for the loser). The most common types of such matches are:
Loser Leaves Town match
The loser of the match must leave either the town or promotion the match was held in and not return. This was often held in regional promotions when a wrestler was leaving the company to explain their disappearance.
Luchas de Apuestas
Any match where both wrestlers have put something on the line such as a title or mask. They are more popular in Mexico, where Masks and Hair are considered a part of a wrestlers pride and are often put on the line, but they do happen from time to time in Japan and the United States. Some variations follow. In any case of a draw, both wrestlers lose what they put up.
- Hair v. Mask Match:
- A wrestler with hair, usually long hair, wrestles a masked wrestler. The loser is either unmasked or his head is shaved or cut short. This usually takes place in Mexico, where it is called Máscara contra Cabellera.
- Hair v. Hair Match:
- The loser of the match gets his head shaved or cut short. In Mexico, this is called Cabellera contra Cabellera.
- Mask v. Mask Match:
- The loser of the match is unmasked. In Mexico, this is called Mascara contra Mascara.
- In Mexico this can be the most important match in a wrestler's career, since almost every wrestler begins their career masked, except in extremely exceptional circumstances (See Rey Mysterio) . Only a few of the greatest wrestlers will keep their mask their whole career, such as Mil Máscaras and El Hijo del Santo. In Mexico, by law, once you are unmasked you may never wear a mask as that character again. The Box y Lucha commissions fine heavily for infractions and have supsended licenses. There are, however, occasional gimmick shows where wrestlers are allowed to wear their masks if they had lost them (after getting it cleared first).
- The loser of the match is unmasked. In Mexico, this is called Mascara contra Mascara.
Retirement Match
Although a retirement match is often held for a wrestler retiring from professional wrestling to honor the wrestler, in storylines a retirement match denotes a match where the loser is forced into retirement.
The loser often does not retire for real. Instead, it often gives that wrestling time to fulfill other obligations – such as tending to personal matters or filming a movie – or to heal from a legitimate injury. That wrestler then returns at a later date, either with his former persona or with a new gimmick. Sometimes, however, a "retirement match" is that wrestler's last match in a particular promotion; in that case, it is because he/she is departing for a rival organization. One of the most famous retirement matches was the one between Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage at WrestleMania VII.
Related in concept is the Pink Slip Match or a You're Fired Match, where the loser is fired. Much like the retirement match, the wrestler is rarely fired for real, and may return at a later date. An Object on a Pole Match with such a stipulation is known as a Pink Slip on a Pole Match.
Locale-based Variations
Some matches may take place outside of a traditional ring (or other enclosure), and in a different setting. These matches are often hardcore in nature. There is no standard nomenclature for these matches, although many are known as "brawls" rather than "matches" for emphasis, and they often take the name of the locale as part of the name of the match.
The following is a list of locale-based variations that supplant or replace the standard rules.
A variation of this match is called a Southside Scuffle in which two wrestlers fight in a back alley with either sides blocked off by other wrestlers. Another variation of this match is called a Harbor Brawl in which the wrestlers battle near or on a dock. The first wrestler to either win by knockout or throw their opponent in the water is declared the winner.
Another variation occurred at Fully Loaded 1999, when Ken Shamrock fought Steve Blackman in a Iron Circle. The Iron Circle referred to a circle of cars in a parking lot, with the object of the match being to get out of the circle.
Bar Room Brawl
The Bar room brawl is held in a bar, which combines hardcore wrestling with drinking contests. A wrestler loses the match if they either are defeated in either the wrestling or the drinking contest aspects.
Boiler Room Brawl
Template:Main The winner is the first man to escape the boiler room. Any weapons found in the room can be used. During Jerry Flynn's stint in World Championship Wrestling, this match was known as "The Block".
The inaugural Boiler Room Brawl match between Mankind and The Undertaker at SummerSlam 1996 featured somewhat different rules. The objective of the match was to incapacitate your opponent within the boiler room, escape from it, and return to the ring to retrieve an object. (In this case, the urn held by Paul Bearer.)
Parking Lot Brawl
The Parking Lot Brawl is similar to an Iron Circle match where the combatants are surrounded by cars, the winner is determained by pinfall. One of the most known matches fought under these rules was the "Latino Heat" Parking Lot Brawl between Eddie Guerrero and John Cena in mid 2003. Eddie won the match after a frogsplash onto the hood of a car.
Container-based Variations
Some matches have a large container, such as a dumpster, stationed in or near the ring, and the object of the match is to trap opposing wrestlers in them. Many of these matches take the name of the container, such as the Casket Match and Ambulance Match. A similar type of match aims to restrain opposing wrestlers somehow, and the match often takes the name of the restraining device - for example, the Stretcher Match or the Handcuff Match.
These matches are often fought using hardcore rules, or at the very least rules that allow wrestlers to do more without being disqualified. In team matches, a team typically loses when all of its members are individually eliminated.
In some cases the restrained wrestler must be taken past a certain point ringside in order for a victory.
Common matches include:
In addition, another variant is the Buried Alive Match, where a wrestler must be buried under dirt for victory. This match is also included on the latest WWE video game "Smackdown Vs. Raw 2006", though the game's version is more based on a Casket Match than an actual Buried Alive Match.
Weapon-based Variations
As the use of foreign objects is typically illegal in standard rules, matches have been specifically made so as to allow for certain objects, perhaps under certain conditions. The nature of the weapons that are made allowed also allow for different rules to be implemented.
When a match involves a certain weapon being made legal, the name of the match will take the name of the weapon: for example, a Chairs Match will have chairs allowed as a legal weapon, while a Singapore Cane Match will allow for the use of Singapore canes. Typically, all other standard rules (pinfall, submission, etc.) apply.
The following is a list of weapon-based matches where additional rules supplant or replace the standard rules.
Handcuff Match
Handcuff Matches are matches in which wrestlers to seek to handcuff the opposing wrestler, often to a ring fixture, but sometimes so that the opposing wrestler is unable to make use of their hands.
Ladder match
A Ladder Match is a match where a specific object is placed above the ring and out of the reach of the competitors with the winner being the first person to climb a ladder and retrieve it.
Object on a Pole Match
The Object on a Pole Match is similar to a ladder match, except that the object in question is placed on a pole extending from one of the ring turnbuckles. Like a ladder match, if the object involved is storyline-related, the winner is the one who first retrieves the object, and if a foreign object is at the turnbuckle, then the wrestler who retrieves it may use it as part of the match's second phase.
In some promotions multiple poles and multiple objects may be used, so that each side may have weapon privileges. One notable match in this manner is the Hockey Stick Fight, a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling specialty match in which all six turnbuckles have hockey sticks. In some cases, one turnbuckle may have a storyline object (which immediately ends the match) while others may have foreign objects - an example is the World Championship Wrestling specialty San Francisco 49er Match, where the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and three foreign objects were placed in boxes under the four turnbuckles.
The name of this match often takes the name of the item that is placed from the pole - for example, a title shot decided in this manner would be known as a Contract on a Pole Match, while a set of brass knuckles atop the pole would be known as a Brass Knuckles on a Pole match.
In some cases the pole may be omitted from the name of the match, creating ambiguity. One such example is the Biker Chain Match between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar, which a chain was suspended from a pole, rather than the more-common match in which chains are used as legal foreign objects.
The pole itself may be replaced by anything similar that puts the object above a turnbuckle: an example of this was on August 13, 2000, in the WCW New Blood Rising pay-per-view. There, in a match between Buff Bagwell and Chris Kanyon, the pole was replaced by a forklift, and the object held therein was Judy Bagwell, the mother of Buff Bagwell. Thus, the match became known as the Judy Bagwell on a Forklift Match.
Tables Match
In a Tables Match, the object is to put opposing wrestlers through tables - that is, manipulate them in such a way that the table is broken in half when they are thrown against it. Tag-team tables matches, especially elimination tag-team tables matches, have varied on whether one or both members must go through tables in order for a team to lose. It is common for tables matches to also include a "no disqualification" clause, which turns them into hardcore matches by nature (although this variation may also be alternately known as a Hardcore Tables Match).
A variation is the 'Flaming Tables Match, an Extreme Championship Wrestling specialty match where the tables are set on fire, and the only way to win is to put opponents through the lit tables. Another is the double tables match, where the first wrestler to put his opponent through two tables wins.
Due to existing notions about violence against women, diva table matches are rare, and putting divas (or other females) through tables is often seen as a way of garnering heel heat.
Tables matches were most used in mainstream wrestling by Team 3D, then known as The Dudley Boyz. First popularized by them in ECW, they later brought table matches to the masses in WWE from 1999 to 2005, producing some of the greatest matches of the new millennium. They have since brought table matches to TNA and Japan.
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match
Taped Fist Match
A match in which both wrestlers wrap their fists in tape to enable them to punch harder and without hurting their hands.
Texas Bullrope Match
In a Texas Bullrope Match, two wrestlers are placed on opposite ends of a restraint - in this case, a rope. The restraint, and anything tied to it, can be used as a legal weapon. Because the restraint can be used as a way to choke the opposing wrestler, submissions are typically not permitted. A disqualification occurs if either wrestler frees themselves from the restraint before the match is won.
There are often two ways to win: pinfall is permitted, or alternately, the first to touch all four top turnbuckles in succession wins.
The restraint used in a Texas Bullrope Match is a rope that typically has a cowbell in the middle. If another restraint is used, the match typically takes the name of the restraint - for example, the use of a leather strap as a restraint will give rise to the Indian Strap Match. Other names include:
- Dog Collar Match:
- Russian Strap Match:
- This is for wrestlers that are chained but not to the necks
- Short Leash:
- The wrestlers are connected by a one to two foot "leash". The only way to win is by knockout or submission.
- Strap Match:
- This where ordinary belts are used.
Enclosure-based Variations
Many matches take place in enclosures that are typically added onto the wrestling ring (although some types replace the ring altogether with a different enclosure. There, the walls of the enclosure can be legally used as a way to damage opposing wrestlers. In many cases an enclosure-based match will have other normal rules (such as pinfall or submission) apply, although many enclosure-based matches add rules based on the scenario in which a wrestler leaves the enclosure. Some matches may include escaping the enclosure as a winning condition, while others disqualify wrestlers who leave the enclosure.
Often in these types of matches, wrestlers may begin outside the enclosure, and continue inside, whence the match begins in earnest.
Elimination Chamber Match
Image:Eliminationchamber.jpg Template:Main The ring is surrounded by a steel chain-link cage, the boundaries of which extend outside the ring but the outside floor of which is made of rough steel and reaches the level of the ring apron. Outside the ring at each corner is a perspex chamber inside which a wrestler is kept prisoner. There are six competitors altogether, of which two start the match and four are confined in the chambers. The wrestlers are released from the chambers one at a time at regular intervals. Elimination is caused by a pinall or submission. It is usual for the competitors of this match to emerge bloodied and bruised as a direct result of being thrown repeatedly against the chain-link wall. There have been four incidences of this match in the WWE. Shawn Michaels won the first, Triple H won the second and third, and John Cena won the fourth. The match is becoming a regular feature of the New Year's Revolution PPV (Raw) and was created by former Raw GM, Eric Bischoff.
Hell in a Cell Match
- Kennel from Hell:
- The Kennel from Hell match is a Hell in a Cell variation "conceived" by wrestler Al Snow in the WWF during his short-lived feud with The Big Boss Man in mid-1999.
- This feud started when Boss Man kidnapped, cooked, and served Snow's dog, Pepper, to him. The match was a spin off of this event, where the Hell in a Cell cage was placed over the ring, which was already equipped with a standard Steel Cage. Two dogs that had been "starved for weeks" were placed in between. The object was simply to escape from the structure, which was designed to be very difficult, however the match turned out to be something of a disaster, as the dogs spent the duration of the match snapping at each other and defecating on the floor, and the whole spectacle looked ridiculous. Snow won the match, which ended the feud. Due to the ludicrous nature of the match (which pertained to Al Snow's "madman" gimmick) and the critical mauling it received,this has been the only such match to be held.
Lion's Den Match
The aim of the match was to knock out your opponent or to make him submit inside an octagonal cage. The rules are made to mimic mixed martial arts matches, and the octagonal cage is meant to mimic the cage used by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mud Match
The Mud match is a match in which the ring canvas is replaced by a pool of mud. Other liquids can also be used to form the pool, with the name of the match taking the name of the liquid: an Egg nog match is one where it is held in a pool of egg nog, while a Gravy match (or a Gravy Bowl Match) is held in a pool of gravy.
This type of match is often held between female non-wrestlers.
Rage in a Cage
A match held in an oval-shaped cage. It is typically used as the arena for the "blowoff match" of a feud. It can be used for a tag team or singles match. In this match, wins are usually by pinfall.
Steel cage match
- Asylum Match:
- A chain link cage in the shape of a circle placed in the middle of the ring. Victory occurs only by submission.
- Six Sides Of Steel
- The NWA-TNA variant on the steel cage which utilizes six pieces of steel, one for each side of their six sided ring.
Thundercage
The match takes place in a ring surrounded by a 30 foot cage. The cage has no roof but curves inwards at the top to prevent escape.
The Thundercage was used at Clash of the Champions XXII.
Thunderdome
- The match takes place inside the Thundercage. The area near the top of the cage is electrified. The only way to win is when one competitor's "Terminator", usually a manager who stands outside of the ring, throws in the towel.
- The first one took place at WCW's Halloween Havoc 1989 between the team of Ric Flair and Sting; with their Terminator being Ole Anderson, who faced off with Terry Funk and The Great Muta, whose Terminator was Gary Hart.
Tag-team match variations
Template:Main Generally, almost all singles match types can be adapted for use in tag-team compeition, with minor variations. However, there are certain match types which are designed with tag teams in mind - these can be found in the tag team article.
Multi-Competitor Match Variations
Wrestling matches may involve multiple competitors in a free-for-all setting. Because of the number of people involved, these matches are booked on rare occasions and with great care as to ensure that no competitor is left out of the action. Multi-competitor matches are often broken down to those that do involve eliminations (ie. where the number of competitors in the match is slowly reduced over time), and those that do not. For the former, when a wrestler is eliminated, they are then sent to the back (with any reappearance being considered a run-in and thus grounds for disqualification).
Championship elimination matches, of course, necessitate the elimination of the champion before a new champion is crowned. When wrestlers enter the match at different times, the champion may reserve the right to enter last (or at a position of their choosing) - and it is often the champion who is among the last two remaining. In non-elimination matches, however, the champion need not be involved for the title to change hands, in order to discourage the challengers to team up against the champion. A common flow to the championship non-elimination match has the champion systematically beaten up before the challengers bicker amongst themselves to see who would pin the champion, which leads to the challengers attacking each other - to the point that the challengers are unaware of the fact that the champion has recovered.
There may also be the case where a wrestler is disqualified or counted out in a non-elimination match - in many cases the match continues without the wrestler in question, or else the entire match becomes void. Because of the complex nature of dealing with disqualifications and countouts, many promotions implicitly have a no-countout or no-disqualification clause in multi-competitor matches simply to dodge the issue.
Eliminations in tag-team matches are handled differently - two prevalent cases are that the losing individual must leave the ring area and the team continues without that member, or the team must retire as a group.
Basic non-elimination matches
The most common example of a non-elimination match is the Triple Threat Match, where three wrestlers battle it out under standard rules. In some promotions, this match may be termed a Three-Way Dance, although some promotions may use Three-Way Dance to refer to an elimination match. In many promotions, however, there are typically no distinctions between the two terms. The Fatal Four-Way Match is similar, but involves four wrestlers, while the Six-Pack Challenge is one where six wrestlers are involved.
- Triangle Match:
- The Triangle Match combines elements of tag team wrestling with multi-competitor wrestling. In this match contested by three competitors (hence the name), one of the competitors must remain outside the ring, to await a tag from either of the other two combatants. Thus, while being tagged out may afford time to recuperate, one cannot win unless they are tagged back in.
- The Triangle Match can be expanded to accompany more wrestlers: the Four Corners Match is a match where four wrestlers are involved, while Six-Man Mayhem is a term used in Ring of Honor for a six-man variation.
Basic elimination matches
Most matches involving a larger number of competitors are typically elimination matches. These matches may begin with a normal start, where all of the competitors are in the ring at the same time when the match begins, or may have a staggered start, in which wrestlers enter at timed intervals. Because of the number of wrestlers involved, many jobbers will be in this match, if for nothing other than to fill time.
The most common example of an elimination match is the Three-Way Dance, where the first fall would eliminate one wrestler, and thus reducing the match to a standard one-fall match. The Three-Way Dance (when not used as a synonym of the Triple Threat Match) is a specialty of Extreme Championship Wrestling. Likewise, a Four-Way Dance involves four wrestlers, a Five-Way Dance involves five wrestlers, and so on.
The Fatal Four-Way Elimination Match is often used in place of the Four-Way Dance.
Battle Royal
Template:Main Traditional battle royals usually begin with 10, 15, 20 or more wrestlers in the ring and are continued until one competitor remains. The method of elimination is typically by removing opponents from the ring by throwing them over the top rope (and causing both feet to firmly hit the floor); sometimes, elimination by pinfall or knockout are allowed. WWE uses the Royal Rumble to denote a 30-man battle royal with a staggered start.
In women's battles royal, due to the perceived difficulty of throwing opponents over the top rope, eliminations may be permitted by an egress between ropes (with some promotions also consider an egress under the bottom rope as an elimination).
- 3-Ring, 60-Man Battle Royal World War 3:
- Battle royal rules apply, except that a wrestler can be eliminated via pin, submission, or by exiting the ring onto the floor in any way (not just simply from over the top rope). But the big difference is that this match takes place with a total of sixty wrestlers in three different rings. When the field is reduced to 20 wrestlers, they are all moved into one ring and the match continues under the same rules until only one man is left. All wrestlers begin the match at the same time (as opposed to entering at intervals). WCW held this match annually at their November "World War III" pay-per-view event from 1995 to 1998. Randy Savage won the first 3-ring, 60-man battle royal, and was thus awarded the vacant WCW World Heavyweight championship. In later years, the match would be used to determine the number one contender to the title.
- Hardcore Battle Royal:
- A match with hardcore rules (no disqualification, no countouts) between several competitors. Unlike typical battle royals, entrants are not eliminated by touching the arena floor -- indeed, fighting may continue anywhere in the arena. The most famous example is the Hardcore Title Battle Royal from WWF WrestleMania 2000. The match lasted for 15 minutes and upon pinfall, a wrestler wasn't eliminated, but was allowed to continue. Pinning whomever was the current Hardcore champion would result in that person becoming the new champion. Whoever held the title at the end of the 15 minutes would be declared the winner of the match.
Doomsday Cage Match
This match involves a three-story cage on top of a ring. A team of two wrestlers start from the top story and fight their way to the bottom against a team of eight wrestlers. Victory is attained by pinfall or submission in the cages or the ring. This was a creation from WCW.
Final Wars Brawl
This match has two wrestlers in a steel cage for thirty minutes with other wrestlers entering at a timed interval to help out one of the opponents.
Football Classic Match
Two cages are placed at ringside, inside each of which is locked a manager with a weapon. The key for each cage is fastened to a football. Two teams of wrestlers must try and gain possession of the football and take it over to their manager's cage, use the key to unlock the cage, then use the manager's weapon to attack the other team. To get the ball to the cage, the wrestlers must pass it between themeselves and attack any opposing wrestlers who have possession of the ball. Mick Foley describes the match as "A fun, fan-inclusive cross between keep away, monkey in the middle, and kill the guy with the ball."
Gauntlet Match
A Gauntlet match is, in a sense, a quick series of one-fall one-on-one matches. Here, two wrestlers begin the match, and are replaced whenever one is eliminated (by normal means), with the last person standing being named the winner. A Gauntlet match may also be played out in multiple "parts" as part of a storyline (where a face wrestler must face a series of a heel wrestler's underlings before facing the heel himself, for instance) - this was common in World Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s, where it was referred to as a Slobber Knocker. A participant involved in a Gauntlet Match may be referred to as to be "running the gauntlet", although in most cases this designation is reserved for those who are involved for most of the match.
The Gauntlet may also be referred to as a Turmoil Match, a likely backformation from Tag Team Turmoil, which is used to denote a Gauntlet involving tag teams.
Relay Match
The match has two (or more) teams of between 3 or 12 members to a team and before the match there will be a coin toss to see which team switches out first. Every 3 or 5 minutes the teams will switch. The first team to get a pinfall wins. Sometimes performed with hardcore rules.
War Games
Template:Main Sometimes suffixed with the tagline "The Match Beyond". The War Games match features two rings surrounded by an enclosed steel cage with two teams (or sometimes three) facing one another. One man from each team starts out with another from either team at random entering the cage via a timed interval. The winning team must get a member of another team to submit after all members of each team are in the cage. This match was made famous by WCW's annual pay-per-view, The Great American Bash and became a tradition from 1993-1998 on WCW's annual Fall Brawl pay-per-view.
In ECW, this was known as an Ultimate Jeopardy match.
Lethal Lockdown
Template:Main Similar to the WarGames Match utilized in WCW, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Lethal Lockdown consists of a single ring enclosed by a steel cage with two teams facing off with each other. The staggered entry system is identical, but weapons are permitted and victory can be attained by pinfall. This match has become a staple of TNA's Lockdown pay per view every April.
Series variations
Sometimes, a match is considered as a series of smaller matches, which may take place concurrently, consecutively, or even in different shows. The most common form of a series match is extending the one-fall concept to a series of falls, the most common being the best two out of three. These types of series matches are often booked to the final match to emphasize the equality of the wrestlers involved, however, longer series may be shortened due to storyline or other factors.
Series matches may involve the same match throughout, or may use different matches for some or all of the series. A series match may or may not involve the same wrestlers throughout (such as when a main competitor is forced to use a substitute in the event of an injury partway through).
Beat the Clock Match
A Beat the Clock match is a series of singles matches between different wrestlers to see which wrestler can win their match in the shortest amount of time. Each wrestler involved competes in one match, and it is generally assumed that these wrestlers do not face each other, instead facing jobbers (or for heel characters, a confidant that will gladly lay down for them).
Beat the Clock matches often have all of the wrestlers involved winning their matches. In the case of a wrestler losing their match, the wrestler is removed from consideration, and in some cases, with their opponent taking their place (such that the winner of the shortest match is effectively the winner of the Beat the Clock match). In the case that a wrestler is unable to beat the time of a previous match, the match may be prematurely ended, although in practice all matches in the Beat the Clock match are fought to a conclusion. Disqualifications in Beat the Clock matches can be handled in different ways: with the match being counted as a win (with the time until disqualification as the official match time), a loss, or having another match to settle the matter.
Beat the Clock matches are often fought for a stipulation, such as a championship or the privilege of final entry in a multi-competitor match.
Three Strikes, You're Out!
The Three Strikes, You're Out! match (often shortened to Three Strikes), is one where wrestlers must achieve three victories of a specific nature in a specific order before the other. The name of the match is taken from baseball, referring to the notion that losing three times would entail losing the match. Because of the format, wrestlers may be attempting to fulfil different victory conditions. Like generic series matches, these are often booked so as to have both wrestlers have two "strikes" against them, with the final victory condition being a particularly brutal manner (for example, Last Man Standing).
The most common arrangement for the three strikes are pinfall, submission, and knockout, with the entire match being fought under no disqualification rules.
Extreme variations
10,000 thumbtacks death match
This match has 10,000 thumbtacks placed in the ring. The wrestlers can use the thumbtacks as weapons. Victory by either pinfall, submission or knocking out the opponent. A variation of this match is a cross between a Ladder Match and 10,000 Thumbtacks Match called a Thumbtacks Ladder Match in which a ladder is placed in the ring with a reward at the top. Thumbtacks are also spread out across the ring.
East Coast Thumbtack deathmatch
A variant of the 10,000 thumbtacks deathmatch, this match has 177,000 thumbtacks placed in the ring. The first match was between Ian Rotten and the Messiah.
2/3 Lightube Logcabin Deathmatch
A match where the only way to win is to smash or put your opponent through two lightube logcabins. The most famous match with this variation is Sick Nick Mondo vs. John Zandig.
Circus Top High Tower Deathmatch
This match features a scaffold next to the ring and a net made of barbed wire. the net is attached to the ropes, and the only way to win is to pin your opponent in the net. The first match was between Mad Man Pondo and Ryuji Ito in Japan. Another match between Pondo and JC Bailey took place at IWA MS.
200 light tubes death match
A match type first used in the U.S. Combat Zone Wrestling at an event called "They Said it Couldn't be Done". The object of this match is to win by pinfall. The use of fluorescent light tubes—officially, two hundred are available for use—as weapons are allowed. These matches are often very bloody and have been banned in most states. Variants of this match have been the 100 light tubes deathmatch and the 300 lightubes deathmatch.[1]
Barbed Wire Massacre
TNA's version of a barbed wire deathmatch. The ring ropes were replaced with barbed wire, and boards with barbed wire were around the ring.
Barefoot Thumbtack Match
Both opponents are barefoot, and there is a container of thumbtacks in the middle of the ring. A notable match took place on May 27, 2001 in Tokyo between Mitsuhiro Matsunaga vs. Jun Kasai, but some argue about the quality of the wrestling, and the actual hardcore qualities of this match.
Beds of (Objects) Death Match
A hardcore match invented by Mad Man Pondo that has beds of thumbtacks, nails, barbed wire, glass, and/or lightbulbs. These matches usually occur in Deathmatch Title matches or Deathmatches in general.
Cage of Death
Template:Main A Combat Zone Wrestling event and match type.
Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match
A singles match with many weapons suspended from steel chains around the ring, sometimes with sides of a steel cage attached to the ring. The use of weapons is legal, and the match ends in pinfall. Pinfalls count anywhere in the ringside area. This match was created by Raven in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, which later changed the match's name to Raven's House Of Fun, he in fact previously used the match in WCW where he called it the Bowery Death Match. The Insane Clown Posse also uses this match in their JCW shows; their version is called the Holler match.
Chamber of Horrors
This match type was used once at Halloween Havoc in 1991, with eight men inside a large Thunder Cage. The object is to put one's opponent inside a "chair of torture", which is in the center of the ring inside a smaller cage, and pull the lever. The losers of the match in 1991 was Abudullah the Butcher, The Diamond Studd, Cactus Jack, and Big Van Vader.
Electric Pool Match
One of the most dangerous match types ever thought up. The ring was placed in a large pool of water, with no ropes on 2 sides of the ring, and exploding barbed wire on the other two sides of the ring. The ring was put on a floating device, then it was surrounded by 4 metal barricades. There was a current running through these 4 barricades (which were essentially small sections of the pool enclosed off from the rest of the pool), enabling the water to "explode" when a wrestler was thrown into one of these barricaded areas. Considering the danger involved in allowing a current to run through water, this match was only used once in the FMW in 1995, which was known for its insane hardcore matches. No wrestlers were severely injured by the match.
Explosion Match
Usually accompanied with barbed wire ropes, a large barbed wire wrapped explosion board is placed in the ring laced with a small amount of C-4. The loser is the man that is blown up. In another variation, the match ends with a pin or submission and the explosives serve as weapons. First time in America was in Combat Zone Wrestling between John Zandig and Lobo on June 25, 2000 in Sewell, NJ.
Lucha en Jaula Electrificada
A variation of the cage match, in this contest the cage is electrified (explaining the name "fight in an electric cage") and the only way to win is by escape. The cage is turned off in certain intervals, allowing the participants a chance at escape. Used by the AAA promotion in Mexico.
Taipei Death Match
Two wrestlers tape their fist and dip them in glue. They also have a bucket of beer bottles, they smash the bottles to shards and dip their glued-soaked fist in the shards and tear each other apart. Ian Rotten and Axl Rotten fought against each other under these stipulations both at Hardcore Heaven and at Hardcore Homecoming event called November Reign.
Other variations
Interpromotional Match
Any type of match containing wrestlers from different promotions facing one another.
Best known use of the term "Interpromotional Match" is within WWE. Ironically, involving only its superstars though the superstars compete on different brands (RAW and SmackDown!) in the promotion.
External links
it:Bra and Panties ja:ハードコアマッチ