10 Best Wrestling Match Concepts Since 2000
7. Fight Pit
It’s a match that debuted only this year, with one only being held so far. Matt Riddle took on Timothy Thatcher the NXT Fight Pit with special guest referee Kurt Angle. The only way to win is submission or knock out – when either man can’t answer the referee’s ten count. Unlike a cage match, there are no doors/quick escape. Surrounding the cage are raised platforms surrounding the top, with the metal railings enabling the wrestlers to climb atop of it and jump off it.
Riddle and Thatcher were the perfect competitors to compete in and launch the lowered steel cage MMA-themed Fight Pit, with Riddle being a former mixed martial artist that’s fought in 12 UFC fights and Thatcher being renowned for his technical mat prowess and training under former UFC Champion/legend Josh Barnett. And Kurt Angle being the referee was perfect booking given his NCAA and freestyle wrestling background.
Thatcher, who legitimately and bloodily lost some teeth in the bout, picked up the win by choking out Riddle. Fans and critics alike had high praise for the match, with Dave Meltzer awarding it ****¼.
Triple H said of the Fight Pit concept on an NXT TakeOver media call:
"The Fight Pit came about organically. The right performers were there with Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher, two talents that bring a different style, a more ground-based, grappling style. Riddle can do just about anything and Thatcher is such a good technically grappling wrestler and so gritty and tough. That type of environment seemed like the right environment for them. We based it off some things from the past, some things we wanted to see, and put it all together. It really captivated people and the match delivered, which is always the key. People were intrigued by it and it will become a signature match for NXT. The Fight Pit can be the go-to grudge match or something like that. You'll definitely see more of them in the future. I was thrilled with that one and I think fans enjoyed it. I look forward to doing more with it."