10 Wrestling Matches Inspired By The Original WarGames

6. Combat Zone Wrestling: Cage Of Death

WCW War Games
CZWrestling.com

Cage of Death has been one of CZW’s marquee annual events since the company’s inception. In fact, December will see the twentieth anniversary of the barbaric showcase. In that time, however, the Cage of Death match has undergone multiple variations and has utilized a number of different cage setups.

Sometimes the yellow cage surrounded just the ring, while at others, it has encompassed the ringside area too -- like WWE’s Hell in a Cell. Furthermore, CZW's unique bout has been utilized for team battles and even singles bouts to determine the company's champion. From 2004 to 2006, Cage of Death was contested under WarGames rules with team members entering one at a time until all participants had joined. These bouts also featured the traditional two-ring setup with some “ultraviolent” tweaks -- including 2004’s variant of one ring having a cage and the other ring being filled with nothing but thumbtacks while a scaffold hung above both.

While it has certainly become a thing of its own, Cage of Death was undoubtedly inspired by WarGames. CZW's version, however, has exhibited unprecedented violence and constant brutality within since it’s birth -- far exceeding that of the traditional WarGames.

 
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Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.