Jon Sheasby
Revolving around a variation on a theme and lending themselves to high-stakes drama, gimmick matches are one of wrestling’s quintessential pantomime performances. More often themed around an annual pay-per-view event (Elimination Chamber) or to facilitate story progression (the winner of the Royal Rumble getting a title shot at WrestleMania), the gimmick match is a gloriously theatrical extension of wrestling’s long-form storytelling. Many gimmick match types, particularly WWE’s horror-based concepts, came to the forefront during their fabled Attitude Era and have stayed relevant ever since. Frequently including the likes of The Undertaker and Kane, these matches have given us some of the most infamous moments in the corporation’s history.
So, with that in mind, here’s a list of my top five horror-themed WWE gimmick matches!
5. Boneyard Match
It’s impossible to put into words the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the world at large, but it had a significant impact on the professional wrestling industry and its employees. Many WWE wrestlers and staff—including, most notably, Hall of Famer Kurt Angle—were let go during the first wave of lockdowns in 2020, forcing the company into making drastic changes to its product. With no fans in attendance and only essential staff present, WrestleMania 36 saw a creative upheaval to the original card, and out of it was born a cinematic send-off to The Undertaker’s illustrious in-ring career. The “Boneyard match” saw AJ Styles and the American Badass brawling in a cemetery-like location, giving the Phenom one last chance to ride off into the shadows. Rest in peace, Deadman.
4. Inferno Match
As its name suggests, the “Inferno match” sees its participants enclosed in the ring, surrounded by flames, potentially making this one of the most dangerous gimmick match variations in wrestling. Only six Inferno matches—including 2013’s Ring of Fire match and 2020’s Firefly Inferno match—have been contested in WWE history, the first of which saw The Undertaker defeat his younger brother Kane at 1998’s Unforgiven pay-per-view. Kane has gone on to star in all but one Inferno match, becoming somewhat of a trademark for the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame inductee, as his horror-themed gimmick perfectly complements the terrifying stipulation that the only way to win is to set your foe ablaze. His only victory came in 2006, though, when he defeated MVP at Armageddon.
3. Buried Alive Match
Taphophobia, more commonly known as the fear of being buried alive, is among the most universal phobias, so it only makes sense to exploit this nightmare for the entertainment of the masses. In wrestling jargon, a “Buried Alive match” is no more than its name suggests: throw your opponent into a freshly dug grave and bury them alive using any means necessary. Similar to the Inferno match, there have only been five Buried Alive matches in WWE history, with The Undertaker reigning supreme as the master of the macabre. Having featured in every Buried Alive match, The Undertaker gimmick usually goes through a creative overhaul after the final bell, later reappearing in an altered form, allowing the character to stay relevant throughout the decades and beyond.
2. Casket Match
Predating the Attitude Era by several decades, the self-explanatory “Casket match” has been adopted by and expanded beyond the WWE over the last 50 years, having featured in several American-based wrestling promotions, including TNA and AEW. While other companies have a less than stellar track record with this type of gimmick (one genius Vince Russo idea—known as a “Last Rites match” in TNA—involved placing the casket in the centre of the ring, destroying Abyss and Sting’s ability to work), the WWE has got some mileage out of the concept, again becoming one of The Undertaker’s signature matches. His two casket matches with Yokozuna—both from 1994—cemented his place among WWE’s biggest stars in the early ‘90s, earning him legions of fans and a place in WWE history.
1. Hell in a Cell
Perhaps the greatest gimmick match spectacle in the history of WWE, the “Hell in a Cell” makes a classic steel cage match look like standard fare. Imposing in appearance and a genuine safety risk to its participants, the Hell in a Cell has given us fans some of the most iconic matches of all time. The most infamous and arguably one of the most controversial bouts in WWE history remains the 1998 meeting between The Undertaker and Mankind, which—despite its acclaim—resulted in a series of injuries for Mick Foley. No one will ever forget the sight of Mankind falling from the top of the structure, and after everything these two superstars have put their bodies through, we should be grateful they’ve lived to tell the tale (albeit with a couple fewer teeth).
Those are my picks for the top five horror-themed WWE gimmick matches, so what are some of yours? Please comment below and let us know by following the information about our social media accounts. Alternatively, we can continue the conversation on Twitter/X by following me @JonSheasby!
