Every WWE Gimmick Match And The Wrestlers That Defined Them

21. Strap Match - Umaga

The Undertaker HIAC
WWE

A distinctly un-WWE gimmick match bettered by WCW (do not worry, comments section, WWE receives due credit in due time, but for now, a very reasonable take follows), WWE nonetheless has presented the odd, literal belter.

Steve Austin cracked Savio Vega with such ferocity that Vince McMahon felt the effects, and crowned Stone Cold as the replacement King Of The Ring on its bruising evidence. John Cena has faffed about theatrically in his fair share, but it is Umaga who made dangerous and dramatic a stip WWE never really fell for as a brutal feud-ender. Umaga excelled in the Samoan Strap match because he represented one of the very last men you'd wish to be tethered to, which is the terrifying point of it all.

He was an agile colossus capable of bringing the pain from a vast distance, much less right in his snarling face. Much like his entire schtick, he got the antiquated match over through his sheer physical presence.

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!