No wrestler likes to lose matches and especially to surrender. The "I Quit" match is essentially a No Disqualification, and No count-out match with weapons allowed. You aim to incapacitate your opponent and inflict a significant amount of punishment where they have had enough and want to utter the words "I Quit."
Not every "I Quit" match has been great but there have been some memorable "I Quit" matches which have been magnificent. Moreover, an "I Quit" match is typically a good way to end a feud as it can be a violent match to be in.
10 Bret Hart Vs. Bob Backlund - WrestleMania XI
At WrestleMania XI, Bret Hart and Bob Backlund collided in the first-ever "I Quit" match. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper oversaw proceedings as the special guest referee. This was a rematch of their WWE Championship match that happened at Survivor Series 1994, a few months prior.
Unfortunately, The Hitman failed to feature in a marquee match, and Backlund was way past his prime in 1995. The match was extremely slow and methodical, and fans clearly wanted to watch something else. It wasn't a vintage masterclass from Hart but he prevailed despite Backlund not saying "I Quit."
9 Mr. McMahon Vs. Stephanie McMahon - No Mercy 2003
Mr. McMahon competed with his own daughter Stephanie McMahon in an "I Quit" match at No Mercy 2003. This was one of the most uncomfortable matches for fans to witness. There was a lot at stake on the line as Stephanie's job as the General Manager of SmackDown was hanging in the balance.
The Billion Dollar Princess took it to her father and gave him a beating. Stephanie hated Sable, who was acting as Mr. McMahon's mistress. However, The Chairman of The Board showed no mercy as he choked Stephanie with a lead pipe which led to Vince's wife Linda throwing in the towel to protect their daughter from further damage.
8 Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs. Ken Shamrock - Raw 10/26/98
Stone Cold Steve Austin and Ken Shamrock clashed in the first "I Quit" match to take place on Raw. They collided on the October 26th edition of the show, and the reigning Intercontinental Champion had the upper hand on Austin.
The Stooges and Comissionier Sgt. Slaughter was at ringside, and Austin assaulted all three of Mr. McMahon's right-hand men. Moreover, Mankind incapacitated The World's Most Dangerous Man with the Mandible Claw, and Austin pretended that Shamrock submitted by doing it for Shamrock.
7 Chavo Guerrero Vs. Rey Mysterio - SmackDown 10/20/06
Chavo Guerrero began to be managed by his Auntie, Vickie Guerrero, and Chavo continued his personal rivalry with Rey Mysterio in an "I Quit" match. The October 20, 2006 edition of SmackDown was the first "I Quit" match to be staged on the blue brand.
This was a decent match in fairness to both men, and neither held back with relentless chair shots. Chavo executed the Frog Splash on Mysterio with Mysterio's leg helplessly stuck in the chair. They battled around the stage area but Chavo got Mysterio upside down and viciously hit him in the leg repeatedly which forced Rey to quit.
6 Beth Phoenix Vs. Melina - One Night Stand 2008
Beth Phoenix and Melina walked shoulder to shoulder at WrestleMania XXIV but they were friends no longer in the summer of 2008. At One Night Stand, they made history as the first women to compete in an "I Quit match."
The Glamazon played her role as her heel to perfection, and she was at her devastating best. Melina gave it her all which saw the fans want Melina to prevail over The Glamazon. The match was entertaining and they used an array of submission holds to keep each other at bay. Ultimately, Melina's body was contorted when Phoenix locked Melina in a crab with Phoenix continuing her dominance on the women's division.
5 Rey Mysterio Vs. Chavo Guerrero - SmackDown 9/7/07
Rey Mysterio returned to action at SummerSlam 2007 after an injury lay-off and he defeated Chavo Guerrero, who put him on the shelf. They culminated their rivalry in another "I Quit" match on the September 7, 2007, episode of SmackDown.
The theme of this "I Quit" match was similar to their first encounter as they both used steel chairs. However, this match was marginally better than their original battle. There were some brutal bumps and they told a really good story. However, Guerrero was unable to replicate his victory as Mysterio exacted revenge forcing Chavo to quit.
4 The Rock Vs. Triple H - Raw 1/25/99
The Rock regained the WWE Championship from Mankind at the 1999 Royal Rumble, and just 24 hours removed, he defended his newly won crown on the January 25th edition of Raw against a familiar foe in Triple H in another "I Quit" match. Rock and Triple H's chemistry together is magnificent, and they had another brilliant match on Raw.
The Corporate Champion's mouth was busted wide open, and HHH was going to nail Rock with a ring bell but Rock managed to low blow The Game. However, Triple H was in a commanding position to capture the WWE Title as he was going to Pedigree Rock through the announce table. The Corporation came down to ringside and held Chyna hostage which forced HHH to Quit. It was a ruse as Chyna joined The Corporation.
3 John Cena Vs. John Bradshaw Layfield - Judgment Day 2005
John Cena defended the WWE Championship against John Bradshaw Layfield in an "I Quit" match at Judgment Day 2005. The self-made millionaire held the WWE Title for 280 days and he was disappointed to drop the championship to Big Match John at WrestleMania 21.
Unfortunately, their titular bout at WrestleMania was underwhelming but they knocked it out of the park at Judgment Day. Both men bled profusely, and it was one of the most violent "I Quit" matches ever. Ultimately, Cena retained the title as JBL thought he'd outsmart Cena by quitting before Cena threatened to hit him with a pipe, which happened in the aftermath.
2 Ric Flair Vs. Mick Foley - SummerSlam 2006
There are no secrets that Ric Flair and Mick Foley had a personal disdain for each other, which was life imitating art on television. The two veterans put their bitter feud to rest in an "I Quit" match at SummerSlam 2006.
Undoubtedly, Flair and Foley were in the twilight of their wrestling careers but they still carved out a legendary match. They both wore the proverbial crimson mask and neither held back. However, Melina came down to ringside pleading with Flair to stop but Flair refused. Foley quit as a result of Naitch threatening to hit Melina with a barbed wire baseball bat.
1 Mankind Vs. The Rock - Royal Rumble 1999
It may make for uncomfortable viewing but Mankind and The Rock tore the house down in an outstanding "I Quit" match for the WWE Championship at the 1999 Royal Rumble. The violence in this match is unrivaled, and it is memorable for Rock nailing Mankind with 11 unprotected chair shots to the head.
The reigning WWE Champion was helpless as his hands were handcuffed behind his back. It certainly was way out of line but it legitimized the "I Quit" match. Ultimately, The Rock was The Corporate Champion once more as Mankind "quit."