If you are a WWE fan, you might know pretty much all the match types in WWE. The everyday matches that we see on WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, WWE NXT, and WWE PLEs are contested under a certain set of rules that depend upon which kind of stipulation is applied to the match.
The rules of the match vary on the type of the match. Sometimes it can get tricky for someone who is new to the WWE product or they might just watch stuff casually so we expect that they might not know the details.
Don’t worry and buckle up because I have prepared a list of the types of matches that are held in the current generation of WWE. So, let’s get into it.
General Match match types in WWE:
The matches involved in this category are some of the most common types of matches that we can see on a weekly basis on WWE Raw and SmackDown. These types of matches usually prohibit participants from using any kind of weapons or illegal maneuvers.
*Note: The rules in these matches remain the same for both men’s and women’s divisions.
Singles Match
A Singles Match is a simple one-on-one match between any two participants. You can only win the match via pinfall, submission, or count-out. The use of any kind of weapon, or illegal maneuver is not allowed in the match — if someone goes against this stipulation he/she can be disqualified from the match.
If any kind of championship is being contested in a singles match, a champion’s advantage is been applied to the match. This means that the challenger can only win the championship via pinfall or submission. If they win the match via disqualification or count-out, the defending champion will retain his/her championship.
Tag Team match types in WWE
A Tag Team Match is very similar to a singles match but it is contested under two more teams with at least 2 or more participants on every team. One member of each team is allowed to enter the ring at one time which is also called a “Legal Participant”. Teammates can enter the match by tagging themself with their teammate — touching their hand on their teammate’s body if he is near their corner. Participants cannot exceed further than the length of the thread applied on the turnbuckle.
While tagging in or out, both of the participants can enter the match just for a brief moment according to the match rules. The match can only end between the Legal Participants from both teams via pinfall or submission.
We can sometimes expect to see a 6-man, 8-man, 10-man, or even a 12-man Tag Team Match. The participants can increase but the rules remain the same.
The match can be contested under No Disqualification rules sometimes, which means that all members of both teams can enter the match at the same time, and the use of weapons is not prohibited.
Tornado Tag Team Match
A Tornado Tag Team Match is very similar to a normal Tag Team Match but it allows all members of both teams to enter the match at the same time. The match can only be won via pinfall or submission inside the ring — by any member of each team against any member of the opposing team. As all the participants of both teams are legal in the match, count-out victory is not a part of the match.
The Disqualification clause is active in the match and prevents all competitors from using an outside object to their advantage. However, this clause could be removed if the match is contested under No Disqualification/ Street Fight rules.
Triple Threat Match /Fatal Four-Way Match
A match containing 3 or 4 competitors is called a Triple Threat or Fatal Four-Way. In this, all participants are legal in the match all the time. The first competitor to score via pinfall or submission wins the match. If any of the participants gets pinned or submits to any of the participants involved in the match, the remaining superstars in the match would also lose the match.
All participants reserve the right to break the pinfall attempt and submission to save the match for themselves.
Elimination Match
If the match is being contested under the “Elimination” clause. The superstar who gets pinned or taps out gets eliminated but the match keeps on going. The last remaining participant wins the match.
Handicap Match
A handicap match is where a superstar has to compete against 2 or more than two superstars. The match can contested with one member of the opposing team entering at once under tag-team rules or all members of the opposing team can be legal all the time as well.
The match is usually 2 vs 1 or 3 vs 1, etc.
The match can also be contested between the teams as well, where one team will have a numbers advantage.
The match ends when a legal competitor pins another legal competitor inside the ring if it’s being contested under the normal tag team rules. If the match is being contested under No Disqualification or Tornado Tag Team Match rules then any member of each team can pin or submit any member of the opposing team.
Battle Royals match types in WWE:
A Battle Royal is a multi-competitor match where the objective of the match is to throw your opponents from over the top rope — with both feet hitting the floor. The last remaining superstar in the ring wins the match.
*Note: The rules in these matches remain the same for both men’s and women’s divisions.
Battle Royal (General)
In a normal Battle Royal, all participants are in the ring when the match starts. The last remaining superstar wins the match. The number of participants is not fixed but it is usually around 30.
The winner of the match can sometimes also win a shot at the WWE Undisputed or World Heavyweight Championship. If the match is being held between the women’s division then can earn a shot at the WWE Women’s or Women’s World Championship.
Royal Rumble Match
A Royal Rumble is an annually held match that usually takes place on the last weekend of January. The match is held between 30 superstars with 2 participants starting the match, and the remaining superstars entering the match every 90 seconds. The objective of the match is to eliminate your opponents by tossing them over the top rope with both feet hitting the floor, the last remaining superstar wins the match and gets a chance to challenge the champion of his choice at WrestleMania.
Originally, the Royal Rumble match was only contested between the men’s division. But since 2018 WWE is now contesting 2 Rumble matches, one for the women’s division as well. The decision was highly appreciated by the WWE Universe considering the kind of talent that the WWE Women’s division has offered.
Match types in WWE with Special Stipulations/ Objectives:
Besides the usual matches that we see in WWE on a weekly basis, WWE also contests matches with Special Stipulations. These matches are often seen on Premium Live Events. But sometimes they can also occur on the weekly shows, depending on the storylines.
*Note: The rules in these matches remain the same for both men’s and women’s divisions.
Ambulance Match
An Ambulance match is contested between two superstars under No Disqualification and No Count-out Rules. The objective of the match is to beat your opponent, throw him in the back of the ambulance, and shut the door.
To add more drama to the match, the ambulance is often shown leaving the arena and going to a hospital.
Blindfold Match
A Blindfold match has been a part of WWE for well over 30 years now, and with that, the match has also evolved a lot. In the early days, the match was contested with both of the superstars being blindfolded. But now in modern-day wrestling, we usually see one of the two superstars begin blindfolded “mostly the babyface”.
WWE also uses this stipulation when there is a big difference in size between the two superstars. Example: If we have a match between Braun Stowman and Kalisto, then we might expect to see Stowman being blindfolded to create more interest for the fans to watch.
The match can be won via pinfall, submission, disqualification, or count-out.
Career Threatening Match
A career-threatening match is where any of the two or both superstars that are competing in the match have their career on the line and the loser of the match has to leave WWE forever.
Casket/ Coffin Match
In this match, a real casket is being placed near the ring with a couple of referees standing by. The objective of the match is to throw your opponent inside the casket and close the lid.
The match is also contested under No Disqualification and No Count-out Rules.
Farewell Match
A Farewell match is the last match of any WWE Superstar who is leaving the company or a WWE Legends who announced his retirement. This is similar but different from a career-threatening match as it announced for sure who would be leaving the company after the match. The result of the match has no impact on that decision.
Gauntlet Match match types in WWE
The match begins with two superstars in the ring, competing in a one-on-one match. When one of the two superstars gets pinned or submits the match still goes on with a new competitor entering the match. This goes on until all of the scheduled competitors have participated in the match. The last remaining superstar wins the Gauntlet Match.
The Gauntlet Match is sometimes also used to push a storyline where a babyface superstar has to go against a series of heel superstars eventually facing his actual rival in the end. This kind of match/ situation is called running the gauntlet.
Tag Team Turmoil
When a Gauntlet Match involves tag teams, it is called Tag Team Turmoil. The rules remain the same as above, but superstars compete as a tag team and the last remaining team wins the match.
Inferno Match
The Inferno Match is a singles match that is contested under No Disqualification and No Count-out Rules. The ring and the ringside area are usually surrounded by fire. The only way to win the match is to put any part of your opponent’s body on fire.
Ring of Fire Match
The Ring of Fire match is very similar to the Inferno Match and it is often mixed up by the fans. In this match, only the ring is surrounded by the fire. You can win the match via pinfall or submission. This is usually done to keep both competitors inside the ring and restrict any outside interference.
“I Quit” Match
In this match, there are No Disqualification, No Count-out, and No Pinfalls. The only way to win is to make your opponents say the words “I Quit”. A referee is involved in this match but, his only job is to carry a microphone. The referee has to point the microphone towards one to two competitors who are usually locked into submission or are on the receiving end of a maneuver.
Iron Man/Women match types in WWE
An Iron Man match is exactly like what the name says. A singles match that takes place with a 60 or 30-minute timer. When the timer runs out, the participant with the most points wins the match. Now, during the match participants can score a point via pinfall, submission, count-out, or disqualification. In some situations count-out, disqualification, or both could not be a factor — allowing participants to use any weapons to their advantage.
Once the timer runs out, the participant with the most points will win the match. If the match ends in a draw, it can lead to overtime or sudden death. Once a point is scored in the match, participants are given a few seconds between 10 or 15 to 30 max to recover themselves.
The match can only be contested in a 1 vs 1 scenario. When the match takes place in the women’s division, it is renamed to “Iron Women Match”.
Last Man/Women Standing match types in WWE
A Last Man Standing match is contested under no pinfall, no submission, no count-out, or no disqualification. The only way to win the match is to inflict as much pain as you can to the point where they can’t answer the count of 10 by the referee. If any of the superstars competing in the match gets back to their feet before the count of 10, the match continues.
The match can only be contested in a 1 vs 1 scenario. When the match takes place in the women’s division, it is renamed to “Last Woman Standing Match”.
Lumberjack Match
A Lumberjack Match is the same as a singles match but in this match, a group of WWE Superstars who are known as “lumberjacks” for the occasion has surrounded the ring from all four sides. Whenever any one of the two or both superstar exits the ring, their job is to put them back inside the ring and don’t let them leave the ringside.
All lumberjacks present at ringside are allowed to use their hands and feet for a brief moment to send the superstars back into the ring, but they are not allowed to use any kind of weapon to their advantage and also not enter the ring during the match. The lumberjacks are often divided into two groups of face and heel to make the match more interesting as they have already picked the side with one of the two participants in the match.
The match can be won via pinfall, submission, or disqualification.
Lumberjack Match can also take place with the women’s and tag team divisions as well, the lumberjacks will be replaced with tag teams and superstars from the women’s divisions. But the rules will remain the same.
Money In The Bank Ladder Match
A Money In The Bank Ladder Match is where a briefcase holding a championship contract is suspended over the ring. Participants have to fight each other and use a ladder to climb and retrieve the Money In The Bank for themself. The winner of the match is named the “Mr. Money in the Bank” and he then holds the contract for up to one year. He can cash in his contract at any time, anywhere for up to a year for a championship match.
Initially, the match was only contested between the superstars from the men’s division but now since 2017 the match is also contested between the superstars from the women’s division as well. The winner of that match is named “Mrs. Money in the Bank”.
The rules of the match and cash-in remain the same for men and womens.
Submission Match
A Submission Match is based on a stipulation from a normal match where if any of the two participants in the match taps on the mat, he/she will lose the match. Now in this match, you have to lock your opponent in a maneuver or put them in a situation where they “tap out” from the match — signaling the referee to end the match as they now forfeit.
There are no pinfalls, count-outs, or disqualifications in this match. It is very similar to an “I Quit” Match but the competitor has to tap out rather than saying “I Quit”.
2 out of 3 Falls Match
A 2 out of 3 Falls match is the same as a normal Singles or Tag Team Match, but this match does not stop or end after the first fall. This man or team to scores two falls wins the match. The points/falls can be scored through pinfall, submission, count-out, or disqualification (DQ).
Both Superstars or teams get a brief break of 15 to 30 seconds after each fall to recover themself. The rules of the match and cash-in remain the same for men and womens.
Match types in WWE that involve Structures and Objects:
In WWE there are certain types of matches that involve the use of specific structures and objects. These matches are mostly held at Premium Live Events with matches based upon the theme of the PLE. But that is not an invariable rule as these matches can be seen on various other shows throughout the year as well — depending on the requirements of the storylines.
*Note: The rules in these matches remain the same for both men’s and women’s divisions.
Chairs Match
A Chairs Match is where the superstars competing in the match are permitted to only use the steel chairs to their advantage. The match can be won via pinfall or submission.
The match can only be held with any of the following or the weapons as the primary objective of the match.
- Chain Match
- Steel Stairs/Steps Match
- Baseball Bat Match
Elimination Chamber Match
An Elimination Chamber match is where six participants enter a cage-like structure made of steel. Two WWE Superstars start the match inside the ring while the remaining four superstars are locked inside four individual plexiglass chambers called Pods. The locked superstars enter the ring in an undisclosed order. Sometimes the last number is already decided and announced in advance.
Once any of the participants gets pinned or tapped out, they are eliminated from the match and exit the chamber. The match continues until all of the superstars are eliminated with only one Man or Woman remaining, who is declared the winner of the match.
The match is contested under No Disqualification and No Count-out Rules. The rules remain the same for both men’s and women’s matches as well as tag team matches.
Hell in a Cell Match
A Hell in a Cell match is where the ring is surrounded by a huge cage which is way larger than a standard steel cage, surrounding the ring from all four sides along with a roof on top. In the current era of WWE the Hell in a Cell structure is 20 feet tall and weighs 5 tons.
Superstars competing in the match are allowed to use all sorts of weapons as the match is contested under No Disqualification rules. WWE superstars can also climb up the cell and fight each other on top of it.
While in a standard Steel Cage match participants can win the match by escaping the cage, in Hell in a Cell you can only win the match via pinfall or submission inside the ring.
Ladder Match
A ladder match is where 2 two or more superstars compete for a prize hanging in the middle of the ring, such as any kind of championship in WWE, Money In The Bank, or any other stuff like a future contract for a match or a job in WWE.
The only way to win the match is by climbing the ladder and retrieving the reward hanging above the ring. The match is contested under No Disqualification, No Count-out, and No Pinfalls.
Steel Cage Match
A Steel Cage match is where the ring is surrounded by a steel cage with no roof. The participants competing in the match can win via pinfall, submission, or even by escaping from the cage. The participant can escape by exiting through the door or by climbing the cage and jumping outside the ring, with both feet hitting the floor.
Tables Match
A Tables match is where superstars competing in the match can win by crashing their opponent through a table. The match is contested under No Disqualification, No Count-out, No Pinfalls, and No Submission, as they do not make any sense along with the primary objective of putting the opponent through a table.
There have also been incidents where the participants competing in the match crashed themself with their own momentum and lost the match.
The stipulation is also applied to the Tag team matches and superstars from the WWE Women’s Division as well.
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match (TLC Match)
A Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match (TLC Match) is very similar to a ladders match except that participant can now also use Tables and Chairs to their advantage as well. The match often takes place with two or more participants with a championship suspended over the ring. Participants have to climb the ladder and retrieve the reward to win the match.
Pinfalls, Submission, Disqualification, and Count-out are not a factor in this match.
WarGames Match
A WarGames match is where two rings are placed next to each other while a steel cage surrounds both rings. Only one member from each team is allowed to enter the WarGames match at once while the remaining members are captured in another shark cage on the entranceway. Both teams also have to win an advantage match in the buildup to the show to determine which team will have the member’s advantage during the WarGames match before all members of both teams have entered the ring. The match can only begin once all the members of both teams have entered the WarGames after their respective timers.
The first team to score a Pinfall or Submission wins the match. If any member from both exits the cage, their team loses the match due to forfeit. The number of participants is not fixed, but the rules of the match remain the same for both men’s and women’s divisions.
Falls Count Anywhere Match
A Falls Count Anywhere is a disqualification (DQ) or count-out match, where pinfall or submission can take place both inside the ring and anywhere else in the arena.
No Holds Barred Match /Extreme Rules Match /No Disqualification Match /Street Fight /Bloodline Rules match types in WWE
Besides all the matches that we discussed above, there is also a list of matches that WWE holds on weekly shows as well as on Premium Live Events. These matches often contain highly extreme maneuvers. The display of blood is a very normal thing that we can witness during these matches.
The matches are often announced to make sure that soft-hearted people and kids can keep themself safe as this can sometimes go to non-PG-rated content. These matches are held under No Disqualification and No Count-out Rules. The victory can only be achieved via pinfall or submission.
*Note: The rules remain the same for both men’s and women’s divisions for all the match types in WWE. If there is anything different, it will added to that match type. WWE is a very fast-paced and evolving business. If you find anything that is not added in this article, do let us know and our team will update all the relevant information.
