10 Staples From Wrestling's Past WWE Must Bring Back

2. Time Limit Draws

Undertaker Kane Unforgiven 1998
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The time limit draw was a staple of the territory days.

It was employed for several reasons; it protected the touring NWA World champion and augmented the homegrown hero, whose stature was greatly enhanced by taking who was in most cases considered the best wrestler on the planet to their limit.

It also reinforced the glowing prestige of the World title. One had to be made of iron purely to enter contention for it.

More recently, the time limit draw has been utilised by New Japan Pro Wrestling in order to maintain the delicate equilibrium between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada, the win/loss record between whom has to be considered carefully in order to protect the wider storyline between them.

They have drawn matches in the 2013 and 2016 G1 Climax tournaments, the effect of which was more powerful than had they merely traded wins; that there was no separating them in 2013 equipped their next match with an even greater sense of unpredictability and dramatic tension.

The time limit draw would also furnish WWE with a palpable and palatable degree of realism, too often compromised by matches which just happen to pause right before a commercial break.

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!