WWE: 10 Most Inappropriate Stipulation Matches Ever

5. Inferno Match

Staying on the topic of attempted murder... In 1997, Kane made his debut in World Wrestling Entertainment as the long-lost brother of The Undertaker. His back story indicated that he was horrifically burned and disfigured in a fire set by his brother. As the feud wore on, there was apparently only one suitable conclusion; a match in which the only way to win is to set your opponent on fire. Because the Big Red Monster thought the best way to avenge his disfigurement was to put himself at risk of being disfigured again. WWE logic, folks. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x16ue5i_wwf-raw-is-war-1999-kane-vs-the-undertaker-inferno-match-2-22-99_sport Undertaker won the first Inferno match and every other he participated in. Kane's luck has been significantly worse, ending up ablaze more than once. Other Superstars, such as MVP and Bray Wyatt, have stepped inside the squared circle and experienced the heat that encapsulates the ring. Despite the fans' excitement for the bout, there has yet to be a single really good Inferno match. The gimmick makes it extremely difficult for the competitors to do anything of note, resulting in a match that is more spectacle than substance. It is a wildly inappropriate stipulation match for a few reasons, none more obvious than the danger factor. Fire burns. Unless one is dealing with CGI, there is no way to fake the flames. While they often appear to be very controlled for the Inferno matches, one stumble or both could lead to serious, life-threatening injuries for the competitors. For the impressionable youth in the stands, the kids who see wrestlers do something on television and attempt to replicate it in their backyards, an Inferno match can be a bigger problem. Those kids do not fully grasp the notion that everything they see on television takes place in a fairly controlled environment. The men in the ring are trained professionals and, if everything goes according to plan and there are none of the aforementioned stumbles or botches, the stunts are executed in the safest way possible. Carelessness and inexperience would only enhance the likelihood of injury or worse.
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Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.