Gimmick matches are arguably as popular as they’ve ever been in the two biggest pro wrestling promotions in the U.S.
WWE now has several premium live events (its current term for what used to be called pay-per-views) each year based on specific match types, including Hell in a Cell and Elimination Chamber. AEW does a special episode of Dynamite annually with Blood and Guts, a special match featuring two rings inside a cage with a roof.
But there are also plenty of gimmick matches that seem to have faded into the annals of pro wrestling history, potentially never to return. Some of these match types have disappeared due to changing attitudes about the industry in general, while others are gone for safety or other reasons.
With that in mind, we decided to take a trip down memory lane to call out five specific gimmick matches that simply aren’t done any more. The caveat here is that we’re talking about WWE or AEW, the two most widely viewed/attended promotions and the most likely to get people talking if they bumped one of these matches off the list by having it on national TV.
So with all due respect to Impact Wrestling, which has consistently tried gimmick matches both new and old over the last 20 years, and the many excellent indie promotions across the country, here are five gimmick matches you just don’t see any more.