The Different Types of
Wrestling Matches
And the Description of
the Match
One fall-
The standard wrestling match. All normal rules apply.
Best Two of Three falls -
To win you must score two falls on your opponent before he can score two on you.
Sometimes each of the falls is fought under different stipulations, such as one
straight wrestling fall, one submissions only fall and one no disqualification
fall. This type of match is almost always booked to go to the third fall.
Submission Match -
The first man to make his opponent submit wins.
Table match -
Put you opponent(s) through a table to win.
Iron man match -
This match is a contest with a fixed time limit and the wrestler with the most
amount of pinfalls, submissions, opponent disqualifications, and opponent count
outs is the winner. There is another variation which is an Iron Man Match where
only submissions count. This variation is called an Ultimate Submission
Match.
Handicap match -
This match usually pits one individual against a team of two wrestlers. In most
such matches, the team competes under normal tag team rules. Occasionally, a
handicap match will involve two tag teams that are unequal in numbers or rarely
one man against three. Sometimes in the case of a one-on-two or one-on-three
match, elimination rules apply.
Barbed Wire Match -
This match has the ropes replaced with barbed wire. Almost inevitably someone gets thrown against it.
In the United States, this match is semi popular, but it is also popular in some
Japanese promotions.
Cage match -
This match takes place inside a steel cage, usually about fifteen feet high with
an open top. There are two types of cage matches. The traditional cage match,
known as a shark cage match, is won by being the first wrestler to escape the
cage and have both feet touch the floor. The other variation is basically a One
fall match inside a cage. Sometimes a cage match incorporates both escape and
falls, permitting either to end the match.
Lumberjack match -
A match where the ring is surrounded by a group of "lumberjacks",
normally fellow wrestlers. When one participant in the match leaves the ring for
any reason, the lumberjacks are supposed to return him to the ring as soon as
possible. The lumberjacks are generally a combination of faces and heels, who
sometimes fight among themselves outside the ring. Sometimes, as part of a
storyline, a face will wrestle a heel with a group of lumberjacks consisting
entirely of heels.
Street fight -
This match cannot end in a disqualification. All other normal rules apply.
Hardcore match -
Same as a street fight, except that pin falls count anywhere.
Falls Count Anywhere Match -
This match has pinfalls anywhere in the arena. Otherwise, normal rules
apply, you win if you come back to the ring and your opponent didn't
make his way back within the next 60 seconds.
Ladder Match -
A match between two or more wrestlers where the winner is the one who climbs the
ladder and grabs a reward (usually a championship belt).
T.L.C. - AKA.
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match -
Same Rules as a ladder match except that tables and chairs are readily available
as weapons. Usually this match features tag teams of wrestlers (but no tag rules
apply).
Triple threat match -
This is a one-fall match where three wrestlers fight instead of two. The winner
of this match is the first wrestler to get a pin fall or submission. There is
usually no disqualification or count-out. If a championship is on the line, the
champion does not have to be involved in the decision for the title to change
hands.
Special Referee -
Any match in which the usual referee is replaced with a "guest"
filling in as the official. Celebrities, managers and other wrestlers can
"guest" as the special referee.
Special Outside Referee -
Same as above but the guest referee stays on the outside enforcing what the
normal referee doesn't see.
Flag Match -
Each team has a flag that they must retrieve and one that they must defend. They
must get their flag from the opponents' corner before the opponents can get
their flag.
Hair v. Mask Match -
A wrestler with hair, usually long hair, wrestles a masked wrestler. The loser
is either unmasked or their head is shaved. This usually takes place in Mexico,
where it is called Caballera contra Mascara.
Hair v. Hair Match -
The loser of the match is shaved. In Mexico, this is called Caballera contra
Caballera.
Mask v. Mask Match -
The loser of the match is unmasked. In Mexico, this is called Mascara contra
Mascara. In Mexico it is the most important match in a wrestler's career, since
almost every wrestler begins their career masked. Only a few of the greatest
wrestlers will keep their mask their whole career, such as Mil Mascaras and El
Hijo del Santo.
Triangle match -
A three way one fall tag match wherein one of the competitors must remain
outside the ring to await a tag from one of the other combatants before
replacing him in the ring. Being tagged out is a serious disadvantage as you
cannot win from this position.
Three Way Dance -
Same as a Triple Threat Match, this time with the loser of a fall being
eliminated from competition. The last wrestler remaining is victorious.
Fatal four way -
Same as a triple threat match, but with four wrestlers instead of three. On
occasion, this may be booked as an "elimination match" similar to a
Three Way Dance.
Hell in a Cell match -
This is essentially a one fall match inside a steel cage with a top. Pins or
submissions only and can count inside or outside the structure. This cage is
larger than a traditional cage in that it also contains the immediate floor
around the ring. Even though the main hook in this match is that there's
"no possible way to escape the cage", in practice, the action always
ends up being taken outside, and it is very common to see wrestlers fighting on
top of this steel structure.
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 their own home base.
First blood match -
This match is a no disqualification match. The only way to win is draw blood
first from the opponent.
Casket Match -
The winner of this match is the first wrestler to put his/her opponent into a
closed casket. This match has been a trademark of the the number one wrestling
company, and one of their trademark wrestlers. Number of variants exist, where
the object is to place the other wrestler in other closed containers, for
example an ambulance or dumpster. The Casket is often placed on the ringside,
but the other variants might have the container on top of the ramp. The casket
may be replaced by other containers, such as a dumpster (in which case the match
becomes a dumpster match).
Buried Alive match -
The object is to bury the other wrestler alive in a make shift grave inside the
arena. No other rules apply.
Battle Royal -
The winner of this match is the last person in the ring after all other
wrestlers have been thrown over the top rope. In some cases, wrestlers can also
be pinned or KO'd.
Royal Rumble Match -
Same as a battle royal, except that it starts out with two men featuring a new
opponent per timed interval (usually 90 seconds).
Gauntlet match -
Similar to a Battle Royal, but when only two entrants remain, the match
continues as a standard one-fall match.
Another version of this match pits one initial wrestler against another in a
normal rules contest. If said wrestler wins, another opponent takes his place
until all set opponents are defeated or the initial wrestler loses. Sometimes
this match can be in a series (one different opponent per day until all are
defeated). This is called "running the gauntlet".
Last Man Standing -
A no disqualification, no count out match with no pinfalls. Whenever a wrestler
is knocked down, they must regain their feet within a ten count or they will
lose the match.
Death Match -
see Hardcore Match.
Texas Death Match -
Cross between a Last Man Standing match and a Hardcore match. When an opponent
is pinned he is administered a ten count. If they are able to answer the count,
the match continues.
Bra and Panties Match -
A match between two (usually) women in which the winner is the first to strip
her opponent down to her bra and panties.
Evening Gown Match -
A match between two women in evening gowns; the winner is the first to remove
her opponent's gown. In practice, the end result is usually the same as in a Bra
and Panties Match.
Tuxedo Match -
The chronological predecessor to the evening gown match, and contested between
two men in outfits resembling men's formal wear. Most such matches have involved
non-wrestling performers (announcers or managers).
Inferno match -
The ring is surrounded by flames. The object of the match is to set your
opponent on fire.
Elimination Chamber match -
A six-person elimination match that takes place in a specially constructed cage
where four of the six people are initially locked up in a holding cell within
the cage, and are released once every 90 seconds. A wrestler who has been
eliminated in the usual manner (pin or submission) is forced to leave the cage
until one remains.
War Games -
Two rings surrounded by an enclosed steel cage with two teams versus each other.
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.
Pole Match -
Similar to a ladder match except the first man to reach the object hanging from
a pole in the corner of the ring wins.
Alternately the match is fought under one fall rules with the object on the pole
considered a legal foreign object. It may be used as a weapon by the wrestler
who retrieves it.
"I Quit" Match -
Similar to a submission match with one exception; you must force your opponent
to actually say "I Quit".
Gorilla/Body Slam Match -
A wrestler must body slam his opponent to win.
Finisher Match -
The first wrestler to use his or her finishing move wins. No other falls apply .
Pin Only -
You can only pin your opponent to win. Submissions do not count, and neither do
D.Q."s
Stretcher Match -
Strap your opponent to a stretcher to win. Some rules state that you must push
your opponent a certain distance or into an ambulance.
Ambulance Match -
The Ambulance Match is one of the rarest. The
rules are simple, as there is only one -- the winner is the first Superstar to
place his opponent into a ringside ambulance and close the door. Everything else
is legal. As a result of this, Ambulance Matches often find themselves flowing
outside of the ring. In addition, the ambulance is very often used as a weapon
and/or launching pad.
Blindfold match -
Both competitors wear blindfolds. Otherwise normal rules apply.
Bar Room Brawl -
This match is held in a bar, with the last wrestler capable of drinking the winner. Wrestlers can be
eliminated by being knocked out or by drinking themselves unconscious. There are
no disqualifications.
Tag team match -
A match in which two teams of wrestlers face each
other. Only one wrestler from each team is allowed in the ring at a time. The
other(s) wait on the apron outside the ropes. Interference from a team member
will not end the match in a disqualification. That wrestler will be escorted
back to his/her corner.
Tag Team cage -
This match takes place inside a 15' steel cage with an
open top. There are two types of cage matches. The traditional cage match is won
by being both team members to escape the cage and have both feet touch the
floor. The other variation is basically a One fall match inside a cage.
Tornado Tag Team match -
This is a team match where all wrestlers involved are allowed in the
ring at the same time. This also means that any wrestler is vulnerable to a
decision. Thus, despite its name, is not a true tag team match, as it involves
no tagging.
Elimination Tag Team match -
This is a tag team match except that the wrestler suffering the
loss of a fall is eliminated from participation. The match continues until all
members of one team are eliminated. In many cases, the match is reduced to a
one-on-one match.
Mixed Tag Team
match -
This is a tag team match featuring mixed-sex teams. Only wrestlers
of the same sex may be in the ring at the same time--for example, if a woman
tags her male partner, both women leave the ring and both men enter.
Intergender Tag Team match -
Same as a mixed tag team match, except that men and women can
be in the ring at the same time.
Texas Bullrope Match -
Two wrestlers are tied to the opposite ends of a bullrope (usually with a
cowbell in the middle). The first man to touch all four turnbuckles
consecutively with no offense from the other wins.
No disqualifications or count-outs but if either man unties himself from the
rope, he is disqualified.
Some variations can include a chain or leather strap instead of a bullrope
(otherwise called an "Indian Strap Match").
Pinfalls can be permitted depending on the promotion but there's usually no
submission.
The Ultimate X match -
An X formed with ropes is placed on top of the ring. Similarly to the Ladder
match, a championship belt or some other reward is then placed in the center of
the X. The winner is the first person to take possession of the object.
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