A variation of the traditional steel cage match, the Punjabi Prison match consists of two bamboo cage-like structures (one 16 feet high and the other 20 feet high) with the winner escaping both cages. The match was made for The Great Khali, who battled Batista in it, although Undertaker and Big Show also competed there.

One on one matches are fine, but sometimes you need more than that to settle a score.

 

Often times, a particularly gruesome or intense rivalry can only be settled by a match without something else on the line, be that a different setting, the inclusion of new rules or perhaps a violent twist on the traditional wrestling match.

 

Gimmick matches, or matches with special stipulations, have been around for decades, with many going in and out of style depending on the promotion, the era, and the participants. And of course, existing concepts are always being improved upon (read: made more complex or dangerous) to satisfy an constantly evolving fan base. 

 

In ranking the Top 50 Gimmick Matches, we looked at a variety of factors, including:

 

• How often has the gimmick match been done over the years?

• Is it usually seen as a feud-ender, or just an entertaining sideshow?

• Have different wrestling promotions used the match (or variations of it)?

• How likely are we to remember famous (or infamous) matches that happened in this particular setting?

 

One note: In researching these, there were MANY gimmick match types that were replicated with slight changes to the rules or name. When possible, we've tried to avoid duplicating those unless the differences are pronounced (for example, a battle royale and the Royal Rumble are decidedly different because of the way they're executed).

 

Ready? Here we go!

A frequent match stipulation used by Vince Russo, competitors attempt to scale a pole placed on top of a ring post to grab whatever object is placed on top of it. Some of the objects in On A Pole Matches have included a pinata, a pink slip, a pair of fuzzy dice, a coal miner's glove and Buff Bagwell's mother Judy Bagwell.

A battle royal is one of the oldest Gimmick Matches in wrestling history and has taken place in practically every major promotion. A group of wrestlers (usually between 20 and 40) enter the ring at the same time and toss competitors over the top until one person is left. Andre The Giant won more battle royals than anyone.

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