9 Times WWE Booked Impromptu Matches At WrestleMania
WWE has increasingly offered surprise 'bonus' matches' at its biggest show - to mixed results.
“Card subject to change” long has been a phrase used to explain why wrestling show lineups might look different than advertised, whether it’s due to illness, injury or politics.
But for WWE’s biggest show of the year, one would think that the card is set in stone heading into WrestleMania weekend.
In recent years, however, WWE has taken “card subject to change” as an aspirational message rather than a protective clause. Looking at the cards heading into WrestleMania versus what actually transpired, it certainly feels like WWE has welcomed the last-minute changes to its lineup as a way to surprise fans and generate an in-the-moment buzz. 'Mania attendees and viewers can almost expect to see an impromptu challenge, surprise opponents or a late addition to a match.
Results have been mixed – in some cases, the surprise has been hiding in plain sight and was welcomed by fans and critics alike. In other instances, the shock of the moment wore off quickly and was replaced by a collective groan.
Skimming through 40 years of history, it’s clear that WWE values the surprise nature of impromptu matches and will clearly continue to employ them – there were five such bouts during the last three WrestleManias – going forward. Whether they are celebrated or reviled will depend on the circumstances surrounding each one.
For now, let’s look back at the impromptu matches that have graced a WrestleMania ring and see how they stack up.
Let’s get to it…