10 Times Wrestlers Made Lame Gimmick Matches Work
Gimmick matches are the cornerstone to the success of professional wrestling because they are not only different from regular matches but also bring something new to the table. WWE has had numerous gimmick matches over the years, and some of them have their own pay-per-views.
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However, some bizarre gimmick matches shouldn't have existed in the first place. Despite having outrageous rules in a particular gimmick match, good wrestlers can still entertain the fans. They manage to make something ridiculous work better than it should.
10 Sheamus Vs Dolph Ziggler (Kiss Me Arse Match, Extreme Rules, 2015)
Even the name of this gimmick match, Kiss Me Arse match, was bewildering to a myriad of fans. Yes, this match took place in 2015, not in the Attitude Era or Ruthless Aggression Era. Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler collided at Extreme Rules, and the loser of the match had to kiss the rear end of the winner.
However, it was a stupendous match and Ziggler picked up the victory. However, Sheamus refused to kiss the arse of Ziggler at the end. As a result, The Celtic Warrior played a dirty trick to reverse the role.
9 Lita And Trish Stratus Vs Stacy Keibler And Torrie Wilson (Bra And Panties Match, Invasion, 2001)
Although the Bra and Panties match was a popular gimmick, it would be considered a lame match today, especially after the women's revolution. The first woman to strip the other woman to their underwear was declared the winner.
Due to the invasion angle, Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson, who were in WCW, faced Trish Stratus and Lita in the first-ever tag team Bra and Panties match. The match was surprisingly good, as Trish and Lita showed proficiency as partners. Seeing finishing moves in bra and panties match wasn't usual, but both Trish and Lita finished the bout with their respective finishers.
8 Bray Wyatt Vs Braun Strowman (Swamp Match, Extreme Rules, 2020)
Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman had a lengthy feud this year when the two men were fighting for the Universal Championship. After bringing back his previous version, Bray Wyatt met Strowman in a Swamp match at Extreme Rules, but the title wasn't on the line.
The first man to be drowned in the Swamp would lose the match. With Wyatt's storytelling ability, this was entertaining, despite being a Swamp match in the dark. Wyatt won the match by prevailing over the monster.
7 Batista vs The Great Khali (Punjabi Prison Match, No Mercy, 2007)
Given The Great Khali's gigantic size and how monotonous he was in the ring, he didn't have many good matches in his career. However, Khali's Punjabi Prison match against Batista was an exception.
The Animal and the future Punjabi Playboy were locked in a Punjabi Prison, which was made of bamboo. While the Punjabi Prison Match wasn't interesting as the Hell in a Cell match for the complicated structure, they made it work at No Mercy. When it looked like Khali could escape two such colossal bamboo structures, Batista pulled off the win by a narrow margin.
6 The Undertaker Vs Dudley Boyz (Concrete Crypt Match, The Great American Bash, 2004)
The Undertaker and The Dudley Boyz clashed in a Concrete Crypt Handicap match at The Great American Bash. While it was a Handicap match, it was called Concrete Crypt match because, Paul Bearer, The Undertaker's manager, was struck in a cement crypt.
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The Deadman certainly specialized in gimmick matches, and he made the Concrete Crypt match a worthy one. After winning, Undertaker buried Bearer in a glass crypt which was filled with cement, rendering things rather pointless.
5 Randy Orton Vs Bray Wyatt (House Of Horrors Match, Payback, 2017)
The House of Horrors match, which took place at 2017's Payback, was an awful gimmick match. Nevertheless, Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt were the competitors of the match, and they left no stone unturned to turn it into an awe-inspiring one. Even though it was called the House of Horrors match, nothing was frightening about it.
Orton and Wyatt had incredible chemistry, and they fought in every room of the house. Eventually, they fought in the ring as well, but Wyatt was victorious.
4 Dean Ambrose Vs Chris Jericho (Asylum Match, Extreme Rules, 2016)
Besides AEW, Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho also had an amazing rivalry in WWE. Chris Jericho and Dean Ambrose wrestled in the first-ever and only Asylum match at the 2016 Extreme Rules. It was a glorified Steel Cage Match where the participants were allowed to use the weapons hanging from the top of the cage.
The Asylum match was a terrible gimmick match idea, but Jericho and Ambrose made it look better with their experiences. A Dirty Deeds sealed the victory for Ambrose.
3 Bray Wyatt Vs John Cena (Firefly Fun House Match, WrestleMania 36)
A Firefly Fun House match took place at WrestleMania 36, where Bray Wyatt, the Firefly Fun House host, took on John Cena. It was ambiguous what were the exact rules of the match, making it a lame gimmick match.
Nevertheless, WWE showed creativity while booking the Firefly Fun House match, as both Wyatt and Cena tore the house down by portraying different characters from the past. In the end, The Fiend won the bout.
2 Baron Corbin vs Kalisto (Chairs Match, TLC, 2016)
Before Baron Corbin was known as either King Corbin or Constable Corbin, he was called The Lone Wolf. Corbin met Kalisto, who was enjoying a spectacular run in 2016, in a chairs match at TLC.
In all honesty, the Chairs match is one of the worst gimmick matches, as it is a just normal bout with the use of chairs. Being a phenomenal high-flyer, Kalisto made it count against Corbin. Despite a valiant attempt from the masked man, he failed to win the contest.
1 Bret Hart Vs Jerry Lawler (Kiss My Foot Match, King Of The Ring, 1995)
If Kiss my arse match was one of the worst gimmick matches to take place, then Kiss My Foot match wasn't very far away, which took place between Bret Hart and Jerry Lawler at the 1995 King of the Ring. The stipulation suggested that the loser had to kiss the foot of the winner.
Despite the outlandish gimmick match idea, the match was exceptional, and the credit must go to Bret Hart. Following the loss, Bret Hart embarrassed Lawler by putting his own foot in his mouth.
