Have you ever seen any kind of matches like these? If so, what did you see? I suggest you see some of these match types.
Battle of Respect Match
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).
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 contained 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. Due to the expense of these matches (having to rent an arena and not selling tickets to the show) these matches are extremely rare.
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.
Hangman's Horror Match
The objective in this match is to choke the opponent with a dog collar, which is hanging from the ring post, until they can no longer continue.
Inferno Match
In this match fire surrounds the ring and the only way to win is to set the opponent on fire.
(Move) Match
The objective in this match is to 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. Sometimes this stipulation is used in a feud with wrestlers whose finishers are the same or similar.
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. The scaffold is not very wide, meaning wrestling moves are rarely done during these matches and stay a kick/punch affair. 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.
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 1980s. A wrestler won by stripping his opponent of his tuxedo.
Sadistic Madness Match
Is a 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.
Luchas de Apuestas Match
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.
Southside Scuffle Match
In which two wrestlers fight in a back alley with either sides blocked off by other wrestlers.
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.
Junkyard Match
The match takes place within a Junkyard surrounded by a steel fence. The Junkyard included cars, burning oil drums, tyres, and many other dangerous objects. To win, the wrestler had to climb out of the area via the fence, similar to the winning method of the traditional Cage Match.
Boiler Room Brawl
The winner is the first man to escape the boiler room. Any weapons found in the room can be used.
Taipei Death Match
A match in which both wrestlers wrap their fists in tape to enable them to punch harder and without hurting their hands. Where, prior to the match, the taped fists are dipped in super-glue and while the glue is still wet, is dipped into broken glass.
Lion's Den Match
The aim of the match is for a wrestler to knock out their opponent unconcious or make them submit inside an octagonal cage. The rules are made to mimic mixed martial arts matches, with the octagonal cage meant to mimic the cage used by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Asylum Match
A chain link cage in the shape of a circle placed in the middle of the ring. Victory occurs only by submission.
Thundercage Match
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.
Thunderdome Match
A match which 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.
Triple Cage Match
The match involved three cages stacked on top of each other, with each cage decreasing in size from the bottom up. With the middle cage containing weapons. Competitors begin in the ring inside the lowest cage and must make their way to the roof of the third cage where an object is suspended. The winner is the first competitor to obtain this object.
Doomsday Cage Match
Also called a Tower of Doom, 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.
Final Wars Brawl Match
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.
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.
War Games Match
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.
Anus Explosion death match
Where the losers of the death match is abused with objects or fireworks.
Barbed Wire Massacre Match
A barbed wire deathmatch. The ring ropes are replaced with barbed wire, and boards with barbed wire are around the ring.
Barefoot Thumbtack match
Both opponents are barefoot, and there is a container of thumbtacks in the middle of the ring.
Beds of (Objects) Death Match
A hardcore match that has beds of thumbtacks, nails, barbed wire, glass, and/or lightbulbs. These matches usually occur in Deathmatch Title matches or Deathmatches in general.
Canadian death match
A singles match that can be won by either making one's opponent quit via submission maneuver, or by rendering one's opponent physically unable to continue. In order to win by submission, one's opponent must say, "I quit!" or tap out or be incapacitated via sleeper hold. In order to win by incapacitating one's opponent, the opponent must be unable to answer the referee's ten-count. There are no disqualifications. Count-outs are avoided because at least four "special enforcers" are stationed around the ring. The enforcers are responsible for throwing a competitor back into the ring should he fall out, much like a lumberjack match.
Chamber of Horrors
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.
Crisis Big Born death match
This is a Big Japan match which combines several deathmatch types. The match starts out on a scaffold above a barbed wire net over a ring. The ring itself is surrounded by cactus, electric space heaters and dry ice. Thumbtacks are scattered in the ring. In the middle of the ring is a tank of scorpions. Various weapons including light bulbs, bats, drills, saws and swords are permitted. The match is fought with all members of two teams active at the same time under street fight rules. When all the wrestlers have fallen into the barbed wire net, the next phase of the match begins. The barbed wire net is removed and the match continues. Wrestlers leave the match by submission, by having their head put in the scorpion tank for ten seconds or by passing out.
Circus Top High Tower death match
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 by pinning the opponent in the net.
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.
Crocodile death match
This is a standard death match where the loser has to wrestle a crocodile.
Desert death match
The ring is surrounded by cactus. A tank of scorpions is placed in the middle of the ring. The match is won by holding the head of a wrestler in the scorpion tank for ten seconds.
East Coast Thumbtack death match
A variant of the 10,000 thumbtacks deathmatch, this match has 177,000 thumbtacks placed in the ring.
Electric Pool match
This was a very dangerous type of match which has only been held once. 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.
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.
Firestone death match
This is a standard death match where the ring is lined with electric space heaters wrapped in barbed wire. The match can be lost by submission or when one of the wrestlers passes out.
Japanese Barbed Wire match
The Japanese Barbed Wire Match is different from a normal barbed wire match in the fact that there are wooden boards covered with barbed wire and have a small charge goes off when someone lands on it.
2/3 Lightube Log Cabin death match
A match where the only way to win is to smash or put the opponent through two lightube "log cabins".
200 Light Tubes death match
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 300lightubes deathmatch.
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.
Piranha death match
A tank of Piranhas is put in the middle of the ring. The ring is surrounded by barbed wire. The match is won by holding the head of a wrestler in the Piranha tank for ten seconds.
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 proceed to fight.
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.
Razorwire death match
Essentially the same as the barbed wire match, however the barbed wire is replaced by razorwire in all instances. As the danger in this match is very high, very few events have been held, especially in western culture.
Battle of Respect Match
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).
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 contained 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. Due to the expense of these matches (having to rent an arena and not selling tickets to the show) these matches are extremely rare.
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.
Hangman's Horror Match
The objective in this match is to choke the opponent with a dog collar, which is hanging from the ring post, until they can no longer continue.
Inferno Match
In this match fire surrounds the ring and the only way to win is to set the opponent on fire.
(Move) Match
The objective in this match is to 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. Sometimes this stipulation is used in a feud with wrestlers whose finishers are the same or similar.
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. The scaffold is not very wide, meaning wrestling moves are rarely done during these matches and stay a kick/punch affair. 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.
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 1980s. A wrestler won by stripping his opponent of his tuxedo.
Sadistic Madness Match
Is a 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.
Luchas de Apuestas Match
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.
Southside Scuffle Match
In which two wrestlers fight in a back alley with either sides blocked off by other wrestlers.
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.
Junkyard Match
The match takes place within a Junkyard surrounded by a steel fence. The Junkyard included cars, burning oil drums, tyres, and many other dangerous objects. To win, the wrestler had to climb out of the area via the fence, similar to the winning method of the traditional Cage Match.
Boiler Room Brawl
The winner is the first man to escape the boiler room. Any weapons found in the room can be used.
Taipei Death Match
A match in which both wrestlers wrap their fists in tape to enable them to punch harder and without hurting their hands. Where, prior to the match, the taped fists are dipped in super-glue and while the glue is still wet, is dipped into broken glass.
Lion's Den Match
The aim of the match is for a wrestler to knock out their opponent unconcious or make them submit inside an octagonal cage. The rules are made to mimic mixed martial arts matches, with the octagonal cage meant to mimic the cage used by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Asylum Match
A chain link cage in the shape of a circle placed in the middle of the ring. Victory occurs only by submission.
Thundercage Match
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.
Thunderdome Match
A match which 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.
Triple Cage Match
The match involved three cages stacked on top of each other, with each cage decreasing in size from the bottom up. With the middle cage containing weapons. Competitors begin in the ring inside the lowest cage and must make their way to the roof of the third cage where an object is suspended. The winner is the first competitor to obtain this object.
Doomsday Cage Match
Also called a Tower of Doom, 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.
Final Wars Brawl Match
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.
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.
War Games Match
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.
Anus Explosion death match
Where the losers of the death match is abused with objects or fireworks.
Barbed Wire Massacre Match
A barbed wire deathmatch. The ring ropes are replaced with barbed wire, and boards with barbed wire are around the ring.
Barefoot Thumbtack match
Both opponents are barefoot, and there is a container of thumbtacks in the middle of the ring.
Beds of (Objects) Death Match
A hardcore match that has beds of thumbtacks, nails, barbed wire, glass, and/or lightbulbs. These matches usually occur in Deathmatch Title matches or Deathmatches in general.
Canadian death match
A singles match that can be won by either making one's opponent quit via submission maneuver, or by rendering one's opponent physically unable to continue. In order to win by submission, one's opponent must say, "I quit!" or tap out or be incapacitated via sleeper hold. In order to win by incapacitating one's opponent, the opponent must be unable to answer the referee's ten-count. There are no disqualifications. Count-outs are avoided because at least four "special enforcers" are stationed around the ring. The enforcers are responsible for throwing a competitor back into the ring should he fall out, much like a lumberjack match.
Chamber of Horrors
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.
Crisis Big Born death match
This is a Big Japan match which combines several deathmatch types. The match starts out on a scaffold above a barbed wire net over a ring. The ring itself is surrounded by cactus, electric space heaters and dry ice. Thumbtacks are scattered in the ring. In the middle of the ring is a tank of scorpions. Various weapons including light bulbs, bats, drills, saws and swords are permitted. The match is fought with all members of two teams active at the same time under street fight rules. When all the wrestlers have fallen into the barbed wire net, the next phase of the match begins. The barbed wire net is removed and the match continues. Wrestlers leave the match by submission, by having their head put in the scorpion tank for ten seconds or by passing out.
Circus Top High Tower death match
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 by pinning the opponent in the net.
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.
Crocodile death match
This is a standard death match where the loser has to wrestle a crocodile.
Desert death match
The ring is surrounded by cactus. A tank of scorpions is placed in the middle of the ring. The match is won by holding the head of a wrestler in the scorpion tank for ten seconds.
East Coast Thumbtack death match
A variant of the 10,000 thumbtacks deathmatch, this match has 177,000 thumbtacks placed in the ring.
Electric Pool match
This was a very dangerous type of match which has only been held once. 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.
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.
Firestone death match
This is a standard death match where the ring is lined with electric space heaters wrapped in barbed wire. The match can be lost by submission or when one of the wrestlers passes out.
Japanese Barbed Wire match
The Japanese Barbed Wire Match is different from a normal barbed wire match in the fact that there are wooden boards covered with barbed wire and have a small charge goes off when someone lands on it.
2/3 Lightube Log Cabin death match
A match where the only way to win is to smash or put the opponent through two lightube "log cabins".
200 Light Tubes death match
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 300lightubes deathmatch.
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.
Piranha death match
A tank of Piranhas is put in the middle of the ring. The ring is surrounded by barbed wire. The match is won by holding the head of a wrestler in the Piranha tank for ten seconds.
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 proceed to fight.
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.
Razorwire death match
Essentially the same as the barbed wire match, however the barbed wire is replaced by razorwire in all instances. As the danger in this match is very high, very few events have been held, especially in western culture.
