10 WWE Stipulations That Only Had One Good Match

8. Flag Match (John Cena Vs. Rusev - Battleground 2017)

John Cena Rusev
WWE.com

Isn't xenophobia dressed as patriotism fun?

The premise of a 'Flag Match' is steeped in national pride. Wrestlers fight to fell the other long enough that they might grab their country's banner and either wave it around like Mr. Fuji preparing for a Yokozuna bout or place it in some pre-arranged spot for the win.

Usually, they suck. Talents as varied as Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan and Jim Duggan have all failed to elicit much excitement from the gimmick, and that only makes John Cena vs. Rusev from Battleground 2017 all the more extraordinary. Three years ago, they actually worked a good match around a restrictive, nationalistic stip.

If you're only going to watch one 'Flag' scrap, make it this one. Rusev was enjoying his renaissance as a dominant heel, and Cena was typically full of beans as he fought to defend 'Old Glory'. Better than expected, you might say.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.