In a typical match, there's a good guy, there's a bad guy and there's an objective. That objective is to determine a winner. Now, it doesn't always work out that way. In fact, more often than not, there's some sort of discrepancy. Regardless, that's just the way of the average wrestling contest. One on one, until someone quits, someone's pinned, someone's counted out or there's a disqualification of some sort.
Sometimes, there's a need for something different. There's a feud that needs to culminate with some sort of outside-of-the-box type of match. There's also a special event where a specialty match is involved as well. These matches are called "gimmick matches."
In this column, we take a look at the top five gimmick matches ever created.
5. RING OF FIRE (INFERNO MATCH)
This particular match is rarely used these days, especially in North America, due to its graphic nature. In fact, this match should always be reserved for a contest where either Kane or The Undertaker is involved.
In this match, both competitors enter the ring and once they're in, the ring is completely surrounded by flames. The only way to win is to somehow, set your opponent on fire. While the medics and fire personnel are readily available at ringside, the danger in this match is still very real. The bottom line is simple, you find a way to throw your opponent into the flames...you win.
The last time this match was used, was during the 2013 SummerSlam pay-per-view, when Bray Wyatt found a way to defeat the demon himself, Kane.
4. MONEY IN THE BANK
In the past few years, this type of match has gotten extremely popular. In fact, it's gained so much popularity that it's got its own pay-per-view named after it. The general concept behind this particular match is to have a briefcase suspended in the air, above the center of the ring.
Inside the briefcase is a contract, good for one calendar year. With this contract, the possessor can cash it in at anytime, anywhere, redeemable for a title shot against the champion at that time. In the M.I.T.B match, there are usually 6 or 7 participants involved in the match.
Statistics have shown that the winner of the Money In The Bank contract have about an 80% chance of becoming champion, once they decide to cash it in. The most common theme in recent years has been to wait until the current title holder is worn down from a previous match and then make the run-in to capitalize on the champs’ predicament.
One of the more notable cash-ins in recent years, was at Wrestlemania 31 when Seth Rollins cashed in and won the WWE Championship at the end of the event. Most recently, Dean Ambrose cashed in the briefcase the night he won on Seth Rollins to become the WWE World Champion at the MITB pay-per-view this year.
3. ELIMINATION CHAMBER
Here we have my personal favorite of the gimmick matches. Historically speaking, this is one of the most intimidating matches of all. The Elimination Chamber is also a match that has earned its own pay-per-view event. In this match, a chain-linked cage structure is set up, enclosing the entire ring, as well as the ringside area as well.
Each corner contains a pod-type of a container, which will be closed during the match. Each pod contains a different competitor. The match begins with two competitors and after every five minutes, a podcast opens, releasing a new competitor until all of the participants have been released into the ring.
The object is to eliminate each of your opponents. The only way to eliminate a competitor is to pin them or to have them submit. At the end, the last man standing will be named the winner of the Elimination Chamber match.
2. ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
One of the all-time classic matches, the Royal Rumble is a battle royal match at the end of the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. There are typically 30 and sometimes 40 competitors involved in this match. We begin with the first two participants.
There is a select time, predetermined, usually every three minutes, where a new participant will be introduced at the end of that time countdown. This is done until all of the involved participants have been introduced into the match.
The object is to eliminate each of the participants and have one remaining at the end. The only way to eliminate a participant is to throw that person over the top rope and have both feet land on the venue floor. The last remaining participant receives a main event title match at Wrestlemania.
1. STEEL CAGE
There's only one way to top this list off and that's with the most classic gimmick match of all-time. The steel cage match has revolutionized the entire industry and has lasted the test of time. Not only has this match been one of the most popular WWE gimmick matches, but it has also been used in practically every wrestling promotion, all over the world.
The most memorable steel cage matches are the old blue cage bouts, from back in the 80's and 90's. These were the matches such as Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy at Wrestlemania 2 and the infamous Hart match between Bret and Owen at the 1994 SummerSlam pay-per-view.
