10 OTHER Gimmick Matches WWE Needs To Revisit

8. Three Stages Of Hell

Punjabi Prison 2006 Great American Bash
WWE.com

The first Three Stages of Hell match - an extreme update on the classic Two Out Of Three Falls staple - was a masterpiece.

It suffered slightly at the time from match placement (midcard) and the finish (Triple H went over when Steve Austin was confirmed for the WrestleMania X-Seven main event). Revisited now, it stands alone as a classic. It should receive the retrospective treatment from fans and WWE alike.

The majority of subsequent versions couldn't hold a candle to it. Even though it was a minute shorter, Triple H Vs. Shawn Michaels from Armageddon 2002 felt like it lasted an eternity (their similarly epic Hell In A Cell match at Badd Blood 2004 was more evidence of self-indulgence). John Cena Vs. Ryback, at Payback 2013, was more streamlined - but heavily diluted. This was promoted when SuperCena was at his peak, and it was impossible to believe that Ryback had weakened him enough to warrant a third fall.

The stipulation hovers between overkill and credibility-killer - but it has the fluidity and potential to prop up a single brand pay-per-view in 2017, when we're expected to receive Jinder Mahal as a legitimate headliner.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!