It's a well-established fact that MMA is the real deal, while pro-wrestling is just a bunch of scripted events that can't be considered real. The pro-wrestling world is often derided as fake while MMA fighters are held up high on a pedestal for the physical risks they undertake every time they step foot in the Octagon.
While there's no arguing that pro-wrestling is scripted, I do feel that people need to wake up to the fact that there are a lot of risks involved with it as well. Hell, even the most scripted matches can see serious injuries. Look at what happened to Finn Balor in his match against Seth Rollins at Summerslam this past year.
But, away from these usual matches, there are a number of terrifying gimmick matches that push the boundaries of what is considered humanly acceptable. From flames to barbed wires, these matches can end the career of pro-wrestlers without any mercy and you will never see an MMA fighter agree to fight on these terms.
So, without further ado, here are 5 nasty pro-wrestling gimmick matches that even MMA fighters would be afraid of taking part in:
#5 Scaffold Match
We start off with the tamest one on this list, the Scaffold Match. So, what is this scaffold match, you ask? Well, it's a pretty simple concept. Two men are left on a scaffold suspended 40-feet above the ground to sort out their anger issues. Oh, and the only way to win is by tossing your opponent off and onto the floor below.
In a dark example of how things can go wrong, in one particular scaffold match, New Jack shocked his opponent, Vic Grimes, with a stun gun and threw him off when Grimes was unconscious. He later admitted on video that he was trying to kill Grimes and it was pure luck that Grimes did not meet his demise that night.
Right, so can you imagine any UFC fighter agreeing to a stipulation like this? No sir. There is no way in hell Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz are waging war in a scaffold match.
#4 Japanese Deathmatch
Ahh, the Japanese. The pioneers of most things insane in wrestling, they are responsible for some of the most gruesome and terrifying gimmick matches in the history of sports entertainment all on their lonesome.
Coming in fourth on our list is the dreaded Japanese Death Match. The gist of this is that real-life weapons and stipulations are introduced to a no disqualifications match and then you sit back and watch two blokes trying to murder each other with these weapons.
The most famous example of this is the Cactus Jack vs. Terry Funk match, where the two psychopathic men decided to replace the ring ropes with barbed wire instead. So yeah, let's see what MMA fighter has the cojones to join the illustrious group of men and women who have put their lives on the line in the absurd Japanese Deathmatch.
#3 Taipei Deathmatch
Basically ECW's answer to the Japanese version of the deathmatch, this one comes from the insane minds of Paul Heyman and ECW originals, Axl Rotten and Ian Rotten. The two kayfabe brothers and Heyman decided it was a great idea to dip their gloves into glue and then attach pieces of broken glass to said gloves.
As you might imagine, punching people with broken-glass-covered gloves tends to hurt. A lot. In case this is too mild for your tastes, you can also incorporate forks and staple guns into the mix like the brothers did for the 10-year anniversary of the match.
I'm sure Glover Texeira will be game to take one of Rumble's mammoth punches when his fist is covered with broken glass.
#2 Inferno Match
This one actually comes to us from a more mainstream promotion in the form of the WWE. As one might guess from the name, this one has to do with fire.
A speciality match for Kane, which was first debuted during the original Kane vs. Undertaker feud, it's shocking to think Vince McMahon concocted something this extreme even if it was back in the attitude era.
The concept of this match is simple enough. The ring is basically set ablaze and the only way to win is to do to your opponent what has already been done to the ring – i.e set him on fire. As tough as MMA fighters are, I don't expect to see them lining to up to take part in inferno matches anytime soon.
#1 No Rope Electrified Barbwire Swimming Pool Dynamite Double Hell Deathmatch
I'm not even making this one up. A ring is set up on a barge which is in the middle of a swimming pool. There no ropes. Two sides of the ring have electrified barbed wire. The other two are left open as an avenue to throw your opponents into the pool which triggers explosions.
Inside this death rig, anything goes including sickles, thumbtacks, and other weapons which can maim you permanently. Forget MMA fighters, there's no one on this planet who should be stepping foot in a match like this. Probably why it took place only one, back in 1994 in, Japan. Of course, it had to be Japan.
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