Gimmick matches have become a constant feature in WWE. Not every gimmick match has been successful as some have come and gone, with others being a permanent fixture. It's a great way to end a feud in a gimmick match as it adds another stipulation to the already high-profile encounter. Some wrestlers have molded a gimmick match into their own by becoming a specialist at that type of match.Fans enjoy gimmick matches as it creates excitement, and it's different from the standard one-on-one matches that viewers witness on television and pay-per-view. However, the inaugural match that introduces a new gimmick concept is important as the match could be an instant hit or a flop, and the majority of gimmick matches have stuck around.
10 Casket Match: The Undertaker Vs. Kamala - Survivor Series 1992
The Undertaker has several gimmick matches that he is synonymous with, and the Casket match is right up there. At the 1992 Survivor Series, Undertaker collided with Kamala in a Casket match which was called the Coffin match.
This was the only Casket match where a wrestler had to pin their opponent before they stuffed them in the casket. Undertaker was in cruise control in this bout, and he was hardly troubled by Kamala. The Deadman prevailed, and Paul Bearer handed Undertaker some nails and a hammer ensuring that Kamala could not escape.
9 Inferno Match: The Undertaker Vs. Kane - Unforgiven: In Your House, 1998
Undertaker and Kane amped up the intensity of their rivalry by facing off in an Inferno match at Unforgiven: In Your House. The Big Red Machine was out for revenge after he lost to his older brother in a hard-hitting affair at WrestleMania XIV.
Their Inferno match was superb, and both had to be struggling with the heat they had to endure. Vader interfered in the match, as he was feuding with Kane, and Undertaker launched over the top rope to take down both men. The Undertaker once again got the better of Kane by pushing Kane's arm into the flames.
8 Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble 1988
The late Pat Patterson is the mastermind behind the Royal Rumble match. In 1988 it was the inaugural iteration of the Royal Rumble match, and it only featured 20 men in the bout.
Bret Hart and Tito Santana were the first two entrants of the match. Jim Neidhart, Jake Roberts, Harley Race, Don Muraco, and The Ultimate Warrior were on the field. However, Hacksaw Jim Duggan emerged as the surprise victor, who didn't do much with his Rumble victory. The Rumble has since become a staple with a women's version being introduced in 2018.
7 Ladder Match: Bret Hart Vs. Shawn Michaels - The Wrestling Challenge 7/21/92
Everyone recalls Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon's epic ladder match at WrestleMania X for the Intercontinental Championship as being the first televised ladder match. However, Michaels competed in the very first ladder match with Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Title in July 1992.
Both were destined for greatness in WWE, and the Hitman being the older of the two was ahead of Michaels in terms of experience, and progression on the card. Their ladder match is hardly spoken about because of their two marquee WWE Championship matches but Bret got the better of Michaels to retain the title.
6 Buried Alive Match: The Undertaker Vs. Mankind - In Your House: Buried Alive, 1996
Mankind secured two successive pay-per-view victories over The Undertaker at King of the Ring and SummerSlam in 1996, and he was looking for a third win over Undertaker in the fall. The two big men collided in the first-ever Buried Alive match that headlined In Your House: Buried Alive.
Undertaker and Mankind's matches were always physical, and this Buried Alive match was no different. They set the bar for Buried Alive matches which had never been topped after this one. Nevertheless, Undertaker finally registered his first win over Mankind, but he ended up getting buried alive afterward.
5 Iron Man Match: Bret Hart Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XII
Iron Man matches can be an absolute slog to get through as they are generally 60-minute matches. The inaugural Iron Man match featured Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels battling for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XII.
There are contrasting opinions on Hart and Michaels' Iron Man match, as some fans think it was a classic with others viewing it as overrated. There are valid points on both sides of the spectrum since there were no registered pinfalls for a solid hour. Ultimately, it created drama as HBK captured his first WWE Championship with a devastating Sweet Chin Music in overtime.
4 Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Edge Vs. Chris Benoit Vs. Christian Vs. Shelton Benjamin Vs. Kane Vs. Chris Jericho - WrestleMania 21
One of the most intriguing concepts, the Money in the Bank ladder match was introduced to fans in 2005 at WrestleMania 21. Edge, Chris Benoit, Christian, Shelton Benjamin, Kane, and Chris Jericho were the first six men to compete in a match of this magnitude.
This was a magnificent contest with Edge, Christian, and Y2J boasting a wealth of experience in ladder matches. Everyone threw the kitchen sink as they were desperate to prevail with a future world championship title match in the pipeline. The Rated-R Superstar won the match and became WWE Champion for the first time nine months after this bout.
3 Elimination Chamber Match: Triple H Vs. Shawn Michaels Vs. Chris Jericho Vs. Booker T Vs. Rob Van Dam Vs. Kane - Survivor Series 2002
Triple H had his hands full in his World Heavyweight Championship title defense at Survivor Series 2002. He and his five challengers were stepping into unknown surroundings as they were in the confines of the Elimination Chamber.
Elimination Chamber matches have proven to be a hit, and all thanks to this match, they are still relevant. Triple H's trachea was crushed as Rob Van Dam botched a move but he still powered through and finished off the match. Ultimately, Michaels nailed the Game with Sweet Chin Music to become World Heavyweight Champion for the first time.
2 TLC Match: Edge & Christian Vs. The Hardy Boyz Vs. The Dudley Boyz - SummerSlam 2000
After a successful triangle ladder match at WrestleMania 2000, Edge and Christian, the Hardy Boyz, and the Dudley Boyz took their rivalry to the next level by incorporating tables, and chairs to go alongside the ladder in the first-ever TLC match. This time, Edge and Christian entered SummerSlam as the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions.
They hit a home run once more, and some consider this TLC match better than their successor at WrestleMania X-Seven. There were some brutal bumps as expected, before Edge and Christian ran out as winners.
1 Hell In A Cell Match: Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker - Badd Blood: In Your House, 1997
There was nowhere to run or hide for the reigning European Champion Shawn Michaels as he was locked in the Hell in a Cell structure against The Undertaker at Badd Blood: In Your House. There were huge stakes on the line as the winner earned the right to face Bret Hart for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1997.
In terms of in-ring quality, this Hell in a Cell match has been unrivaled. HBK always works exceptionally well with bigger guys, and he did have some offense against Undertaker. Kane made his long-awaited WWE debut as he ripped off the cell door and he executed the Tombstone on Undertaker. Michaels was a bloody mess, and he crawled across the Deadman to become the number one contender for the WWE Title.