WWE’s Top 25 Most Bizarre Matches
25. Ambulance Match – Kane vs. Shane McMahon (Survivor Series 2003)
At Survivor Series on November 16, 2003, Kane and Shane McMahon fought in WWE’s first official Ambulance Match. The match’s objective was to incapacitate your opponent, load them into an ambulance parked at the entrance ramp, and close the doors. In a brutal battle, Shane took numerous risky moves from Kane, including powerbombs on the concrete, before Kane finally forced him into the ambulance to win.
24. Battle of the Bulge – Big Show vs. Akebono (WrestleMania 21)
On April 3, 2005, at WrestleMania 21 in Los Angeles, WWE staged a sumo match between Big Show and sumo champion Akebono. The seven-foot Hawaiian wrestler weighing over 500 pounds, defeated Big Show using sumo rules and traditions, showcasing a striking and unusual spectacle.
23. Duchess of Queensbury Rules – William Regal vs. Chris Jericho (Backlash 2001)
At Backlash on April 29, 2001, William Regal introduced an odd match where a so-called Duchess repeatedly changed the rules whenever Jericho was near victory. Regal benefited to steal the victory with the help of these ever-shifting stipulations, much to fans’ disbelief.
22. Gimmick Battle Royal (WrestleMania X-Seven)
WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1, 2001, featured a humorous Gimmick Battle Royal filled with WWE’s most unique characters like The Bushwhackers, The Gobbledy Gooker, and Kamala. The Iron Sheik won the match, delighting fans with nostalgic chaos.
21. Miracle on 34th Street Fight (John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio)
The "Miracle on 34th Street Fight" between John Cena and Alberto Del Rio took place on the Christmas Eve edition of Raw in 2012 (not 2011). The chaotic, holiday-themed street fight used Christmas props as weapons. The finish came when Del Rio's chauffeur, Ricardo Rodriguez, was put through a table. Ultimately, an enraged Del Rio was defeated by Cena, who then avenged a prior comedic accident by hitting Del Rio with a bag of Christmas presents.
20. Gravy Bowl Match – Ivory vs. Jacqueline (SmackDown 1999)
In a Thanksgiving-themed SmackDown episode in November 1999, Ivory and Jacqueline wrestled in a giant bowl of gravy while The Kat refereed. The unusual match was messy and one of WWE’s most bizarre diva contests.
19. Crybaby Match – Razor Ramon vs. The 1-2-3 Kid (In Your House 6, 1996)
At the 1996 In Your House 6 pay-per-view, Razor Ramon defeated the 1-2-3 Kid in a Crybaby Match, where the loser had to be dressed like a baby. Ramon put an oversized diaper and baby powder on the erstwhile Sean Waltman after victory in this funny yet unusual stipulation bout.
18. Punjabi Prison Match – Batista vs. The Great Khali (No Mercy 2007)
The Punjabi Prison Match at No Mercy 2007 featured two massive cages constructed from bamboo surrounding the ring. Batista overcame the Great Khali, conquering the challenging environment that was stronger than steel and full of weapons.
17. Clown Show – Jerry Lawler vs. Doink (Survivor Series 1994)
At Survivor Series 1994, Jerry Lawler faced Doink the Clown in a Traditional Survivor Series Match where their respective teams consisted entirely of little people who resembled them. The absurdity included partners named Dink and Cheesy, making it one of WWE’s strangest Survivor Series moments.
16. Father vs. Daughter ‘I Quit’ Match – Mr. McMahon vs. Stephanie McMahon (No Mercy 2003)
No Mercy 2003 showcased the first and only Father vs. Daughter ‘I Quit’ Match in WWE history. Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon waged an intensely personal and physical battle involving submission holds and a lead pipe, ending with Vince forcing Stephanie to say “I quit.”
15. Dungeon Match – Owen Hart vs. Ken Shamrock (Fully Loaded 1998)
At Fully Loaded 1998, Owen Hart and Ken Shamrock battled inside Stu Hart’s legendary basement training gym known as The Dungeon in Calgary. The confined space with low ceilings and rusty barbells created a dangerous and unique submission match environment.
14. Kiss My Foot Match – Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart vs. Jerry Lawler (King of the Ring 1995)
Bret Hart faced Jerry Lawler at King of the Ring 1995 in a Kiss My Foot Match, where the loser had to kiss the winner’s feet. After losing, Lawler was forced to do so and then had his own foot shoved in his mouth by Hart, adding insult to injury.
13. Jailhouse Match – The Big Boss Man vs. The Mountie (SummerSlam 1991)
The SummerSlam 1991 match involved The Big Boss Man defeating The Mountie, with the stipulation that the loser spend the night in a New York City jail cell. The Mountie was publicly escorted into a cell by police officers after the match at Madison Square Garden.
12. Dumpster Match – Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie vs. The New Age Outlaws (WrestleMania XIV)
At WrestleMania XIV in 1998, the teams competed to throw their opponents into a dumpster and close the lid. The chaotic match spilled outside the ring and ended with the help of a forklift to secure victory.
11. Good Housekeeping Match – Jeff Jarrett vs. Chyna (No Mercy 1999)
During No Mercy 1999, Jarrett and Chyna fought in a Good Housekeeping Match where only household items were legal weapons. The match was hardcore in nature, and Jarrett was humorously seen wearing a toilet seat necklace.
10. Kennel from Hell Match – Al Snow vs. The Big Boss Man (Unforgiven 1999)
This infamous match at Unforgiven 1999 had two steel cages with a pack of dogs between them. The dogs, however, did not behave aggressively, leading to one of WWE’s most widely mocked and strange matches.
9. Inferno Match – Kane vs. The Undertaker (Unforgiven 1998)
The first-ever Inferno Match took place at Unforgiven 1998 where the ring was surrounded by flames. The objective was to set your opponent on fire. Undertaker won after lighting Kane’s arm ablaze in a dramatic conclusion.
8. Hardcore Evening Gown Match – Pat Patterson vs. Gerald Brisco (King of the Ring 2000)
At King of the Ring 2000, WWE executives Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco, dressed in drag, battled using weapons such as chairs and trash cans. The fight was ugly and bizarre, with weapons and wigs flying all around.
7. Buried Alive Match – The Undertaker vs. Mr. McMahon (Survivor Series 2003)
At Survivor Series 2003, Mr. McMahon and The Undertaker faced off in a Buried Alive Match. The loser would be buried underground. Thanks to interference from Kane, McMahon buried The Undertaker to win the match.
6.. Gulf of Mexico Match – Chavo Guerrero vs. CM Punk (ECW 2008)
At an ECW taping in 2008, wrestlers fought in street clothes with the goal of throwing their opponent into the Gulf of Mexico. CM Punk won after hitting his finisher on Chavo Guerrero and tossing him into the Gulf.
5. Pub Enemies – APA Battle at Vengeance (2003)
At Vengeance 2003, WWE staged a bar fight featuring The APA and other wrestlers, including Matt Hardy and the Easter Bunny. Taking place beside the entrance ramp, the match was chaotic with brawling and reckless behavior.
4. Blindfold Match – Rick Martel vs. Jake Roberts (WrestleMania VII)
This match at WrestleMania VII saw both combatants wear hoods, simulating blindness. Rick Martel had sprayed his cologne in Jake Roberts’ eyes prior to the match. Despite the handicap, Roberts found Martel by sound and won with his finishing move.
3. Boiler Room Brawl – The Undertaker vs. Mankind (SummerSlam 1996)
The Boiler Room Brawl took place in a furnace room beneath the Cleveland Gund Arena. Both wrestlers tried to escape the basement. Mankind won the match after Paul Bearer betrayed The Undertaker, making it one of WWE’s most unique bouts.
2. Arkansas Hog Pen Match – Triple H vs. Henry Godwinn (In Your House 1995)
This match featured a pigpen filled with mud beside the entrance ramp. The only way to win was to throw your opponent into the swamp. Triple H ultimately tossed Godwinn into the sludge in this strange encounter.
1. Hollywood Backlot Brawl – Goldust vs. Roddy Piper (WrestleMania XII)
The final bizarre match on the list, the Hollywood Backlot Brawl, started as a street fight at a movie studio and ended with a car chase before concluding in the arena. Goldust was stripped of his disguise by Piper in Anaheim in a surreal and memorable fight.
