Ever since Wrestlemania, the WWE has made it clear that the women’s division is one of its utmost business priorities. So, it may not be a farfetched thought to give them gimmick matches that have been quite a hit for the men’s division. A gimmick match is a rarely used type of wrestling match involving a particular idea, sometimes with an added stipulation.
At Wrestlemania, WWE introduced a new women’s title, gave them sufficient time combined with some better writing than the past few years, and the women delivered quite possibly the best women’s match in Wrestlemania history. The WWE then terminated the term ‘diva’ and began calling them ‘superstars’- a moniker that has been long used for male performers.
Here then, are the top 5 gimmick matches for the women’s division.
#1 Money In the Bank
A Money In The Bank ladder match has 5 or more participants trying to climb a ladder to grab a briefcase which has a contract that guarantees them an automatic title shot whenever they want in a span of a year.
Keeping up with the next PPV in line, the first time this concept came to mind was when Paige, in an interview, recommended that women also have a Money In The Bank ladder match – and at this point in the evolution of female performers in the WWE – this seems like the perfect idea.
The roster hasn’t been this deep and this varied lately and there are a number of singles performers who can actually make this match steal the show. Charlotte has grown to be quite a vilified and hated heel and any day, cashing in the contract is a momentous experience for the Superstar involved.
It seems like a very logical thing to do.
#2 Elimination Chamber
An Elimination Chamber match has the champion defending their title against 5 other opponents in a chain succumbed steel structure of a cage. Initially, two opponents begin the match with the rest of performers being enclosed in a glass enclosure, while they make their entrance after every five or more minutes.
Since WWE now calls its female performers’ superstars’ it may be an indication of how WWE is finally moving towards considering them at par with the male performers of the company. And if MITB is accepted as a gimmick match, then why can’t the Elimination Chamber?
It is one of the most exciting and brutal concepts the WWE has ever introduced and though the brutality factor has thankfully subsided, this structure does provide for some very exciting moments.
With the anticipation for the next entrant in the cell, the high spots and the eliminations,this can be a very interesting concept to experiment with
#3 Falls Count Anywhere
A falls count anywhere match enables the participants to pin their opponents anywhere inside or outside the arena.
The last memorable match of this gimmick was probably between Melina and Mickie James on Raw but this stipulation hasn’t really been used much since. And since gimmick matches are rare, it is hardly a shock that we never really saw this match being performed afterwards.
But now seems to be the right time to explore and experiment with it again. It’ll be quite entertaining to see someone with such heel heat as Charlotte being wrestled all around the arena against someone whom the people really like. Maybe The Boss, Sasha Banks? Or how about Becky Lynch? Or maybe Paige
#4 Iron Woman Match
An Iron Woman/ Man match entails a match that will last for a certain duration, and whoever scores the most wins via pinfall or submission will be the eventual winner.
Sasha Banks and Bayley had a monumental main event at NXT Takeover: Respect where they battled each other , in what was dubbed as a, 30 minute’ Iron Man’ match. Wonder why it was called that when it had two women though?
Bayley and Banks stole the show at Takeover: Brooklyn with authority, leading to the decision of having two women main event at the next Takeover. They did not disappoint and one cannot think of a better reason for having it on the main roster too. The storytelling was the real winner in that match and Banks’ heel antics and Bayley being an endearing babyface all added to making it one of the greatest matches ever.
#5 Last Woman Standing
A Last Woman/Man Standing match means that the participants will wrestle until they get their opponent down for a 10 count by the referee. If they are unable to get up before the count of 10, they lose.
This concept hasn’t been explored at all in the WWE. While they’ve had a cage match, ‘I Quit’ match, Street fight, falls count anywhere and a Iron Woman match, this gimmick match hasn’t seen the light of the day yet.
Again, needless to mention, this new era can have these new outcomes of having more such gimmick matches supported by a well- written storyline.
