Top 10 Weirdest Gimmick Matches in Pro Wrestling History
Photo Credit: WWE
Meet Alex, the seasoned wrestling aficionado and Lead Writer at WrestleBuddy. With three decades of fandom under his belt, Alex brings a wealth of experience and passion to the table. As a devoted follower of The Undertaker and CM Punk, his love for the sport runs deep. However, be warned – Alex isn't afraid to offer raw and unfiltered opinions that some may find harsh. In a world where reality can be hard to digest, Alex isn't afraid to tackle the tough truths of the wrestling industry head-on.
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Pro wrestling has never been just about body slams and suplexes. It’s an art form that blends athleticism with storytelling, and sometimes, it dives headfirst into the utterly bizarre. Over the years, promoters have concocted some truly wild match stipulations to captivate audiences, leaving fans both laughing and scratching their heads in disbelief. From firecrackers in unmentionable places to battles involving pet sidekicks, the wrestling world has no shortage of wacky and unforgettable moments. Here, we count down the top 10 weirdest gimmick matches in pro wrestling history. Brace yourself for a wild ride!
10. Coal Miner’s Glove Match – WCW Halloween Havoc 1992
- Event: WCW Halloween Havoc 1992
- Competitors: Sting vs. Jake Roberts
- Story Behind the Match: A miner’s glove hung atop a pole, waiting for the first competitor to grab it and use it as a weapon. Throw in a live snake just for fun, and you’ve got a match that’s a real “slammer”—literally.
9. Chamber of Horrors Match – WCW Halloween Havoc 1991
- Event: WCW Halloween Havoc 1991
- Competitors: Sting, El Gigante, and The Steiner Brothers vs. Cactus Jack, Abdullah the Butcher, The Diamond Studd, and Big Van Vader
- Story Behind the Match: This spooky contest featured an electrified cage and an operational electric chair. Goal: Hook your opponent up and flip the switch. It’s like Frankenstein meets WWE.
8. Barbed Wire Massacre – TNA Turning Point 2005
- Event: TNA Turning Point 2005
- Competitors: Abyss vs. Sabu
- Story Behind the Match: To say this was a “sharp” bout would be an understatement. With barbed wire replacing traditional ring ropes, this match turned into an ouch-fest. Abyss and Sabu gave new meaning to getting “tangled” in the ropes.
7. Firefly Inferno Match – WWE TLC 2020
- Event: WWE TLC 2020
- Competitors: The Fiend (Bray Wyatt) vs. Randy Orton
- Story Behind the Match: Randy Orton and The Fiend brought flame wars to a whole new level, setting parts of the ring on fire. The climax saw Orton setting The Fiend ablaze, creating a literal “you’re toast” moment. Everyone knew it was just a really hot performance.
6. Eye for an Eye Match – WWE Extreme Rules 2020
- Event: WWE Extreme Rules 2020
- Competitors: Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins
- Story Behind the Match: This match might have you saying “Eye can’t believe it!” as the competitors literally tried to gouge each other’s eyes out. After a storyline where Rollins injured Mysterio’s eye, this showdown ended with some cringe-worthy (and perfectly safe) “eye-popping” special effects.
5. Electrified Steel Cage Match – TNA Lockdown 2007
- Event: TNA Lockdown 2007
- Competitors: Team 3D vs. LAX
- Story Behind the Match: The stakes were high and so was the voltage! With an electrified steel cage, every move had fans shocked—figuratively and literally. The only thing missing was a “Do Not Touch” sign.
4. Judy Bagwell on a Forklift Match – WCW New Blood Rising 2000
- Event: WCW New Blood Rising 2000
- Competitors: Buff Bagwell vs. Kanyon
- Story Behind the Match: Buff Bagwell’s mom, Judy, found herself elevated (literally) in this match. Strapped to a forklift like a prize in a bizarre county fair, she watched as her son Buff tried to rescue her. Parental involvement has never been weirder.
3. Viagra on a Pole Match – WCW Nitro 2000
- Event: WCW Nitro 2000
- Competitors: Shane Douglas vs. Billy Kidman
- Story Behind the Match: In possibly the most awkward product placement ever, Shane Douglas and Billy Kidman had to climb up and grab a bottle of Viagra from a pole. Imagine that board meeting: “How do we make this feud more… stimulating?”
2. Kennel from Hell Match – WWE Unforgiven 1999
- Event: WWE Unforgiven 1999
- Competitors: Al Snow vs. Big Boss Man
- Story Behind the Match: Big Boss Man decided kidnapping and cooking Al Snow’s dog, Pepper, was a grand idea. Naturally, this led to a match inside a cage, surrounded by none other than attack dogs. You could say they “unleashed” the crazy with this one.
1. Anus Explosion Death Match – FMW (Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling)
- Event: FMW, October 29th, 1998
- Competitors: H (the real Hayabusa) vs. Mr. Gannosuke (posing as Hayabusa)
- Story Behind the Match: Yes, you read that right. It’s rear end is ready to explode. Mr. Gannosuke, trying his best to cosplay, was going around wearing a Hayabusa mask and calling himself Hayabusa. Naturally, the real Hayabusa, now competing simply as “H,” was not amused. In fact, he was so peeved about his identity being stolen (and let’s face it, who wouldn’t be?), he challenged Mr. Gannosuke to an “Anus Explosion Death Match.” The goal? Stick a firecracker in your opponent’s derriere and light it up like it’s Fourth of July. Talk about fireworks in the ring!
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