10 Dumb Stipulation Matches WWE Should Never Book Again

While on the topic, let's just cut it out with inferno matches altogether.

Kane made the inferno match famous, playing into his pyromaniac gimmick nicely, but in every char-broiled battle, were you ever really concerned that he'd be legitimately barbecued? Fire is almost never utilized convincingly in professional wrestling, and lacing the outside of the ring with gas piping and lighting it like a propane grill has always looked ridiculous. The whole match usually builds up to an incredibly choreographed spot that is rushed off-screen, lest any of the children see and decide to torch their siblings.

That's perhaps the worst part about the stipulation. The danger is incredibly real, both to the wrestlers and viewers. Fire marshalls oversee everything, and stunt actors consult on how to minimize danger, all for a pretty underwhelming payoff of a dude's boot being set aflame for a half-second. With Kane moving on from any serious in-ring bumping, there's no character-driven reason to light the ring anymore. Let the match type retire with the Big Red Machine.