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The WWE Universe loves a good old-fashioned wrestling match. However, unique stipulations and weapons add much intrigue and entertainment value, especially if done right.
Some match types, like Hell in a Cell and Royal Rumble, will never go extinct. The Royal Rumble is significant for shaping the Road to WrestleMania whereas the unforgiving structure is seldom used to settle the most personal rivalries and give the competitors a free pass to battle it out.
However, other match types were extremely thematic and storyline-specific. Some were restricted to particular WWE Superstars too. Hence, as times change and Triple H continuously adapts, a few of these could go extinct. Below are four such match types we may never see again.
#4. WWE may never book an "Eye for an Eye" match again
In early 2020, the novel COVID-19 pandemic forced WWE into the Performance Center without a legitimate audience for most of its programming. This prompted the company to take unusual measures to entertain fans at home.
Some novel concepts, like the Boneyard Match, were a massive success. Others, like the "Eye for an Eye," were underwhelming and controversial.
During the fallout episode of RAW after Money in the Bank 2020, Seth Rollins drove Rey Mysterio's eye into the edge of the steep steps, ripping it off its socket. The emphasis on removing the eyeball resulted in the two rivals battling in an "Eye for an Eye" match at Extreme Rules.
The stipulation involved extracting the opponent's eye. Since the company was not allowing the same, they had to use odd camera angles to show a fake eyeball popping out of Rey Mysterio's socket. Rollins vomited at the sight, but fans at home did not buy the match or the concept.
To understand why the match happened, the context needs to be understood. Vince McMahon wanted to try something new to compensate for the lack of interest in the product during the pandemic. Rollins had developed an unhealthy obsession with blinding Mysterio.
Considering the circumstances and the underwhelming response, WWE is unlikely to book another "Eye for an Eye" match.
#3. The Buried Alive Match was designed for The Undertaker
The Buried Alive Match was a career-altering match type. Its goal was to beat down an opponent, throw them into a deep grave, and bury them under a heap of dirt. Since the concept revolved around death, this match type was tailor-made for The Undertaker.
Therefore, for a character that made a career of "taking souls and digging holes," it is not surprising that The Phenom has wrestled in every Buried Alive Match. However, his win-loss record was not impressive as it was often designed to take The Deadman off WWE TV.
For example, Taker lost to Vince McMahon in a Buried Alive Match at Survivor Series 2003 due to Kane's last-minute interference. The WWE Hall of Famer returned months later at WrestleMania 20 as The Deadman to defeat his brother.
With Taker now retired, the Buried Alive Match has been retired too. Even if The Deadman steps into the ring again, a physically taxing and dangerous task like burying an opponent is unlikely to make his radar.
#2. The Punjabi Prison match was criticized by the WWE Universe
The match types such as Steel Cage Match and Hell in a Cell have caught on well with fans as they trap the competitors inside an enclave fortified by steel. The Punjabi Prison match was similar, but the walls were made of bamboo and there were two enclaves.
There are no pinfalls or submissions and the only way to win is by escaping both bamboo cages. However, there was a confusing set of rules which were difficult to comprehend. The first cage surrounding the ring has doors that will open only for a minute before they are permanently shut.
If a competitor fails to escape by the time all doors are shut, they would have to climb the first cage too. On paper, the concept seemed intriguing, but on execution, it was disappointing.
For starters, WWE fans could not comprehend the confusing set of rules. Secondly, two bamboo cages made it difficult for the crowd to watch the physical action. Lastly, the match felt unnecessarily long.
It was associated initially with The Great Khali due to his Punjabi origins. There have only been three Punjabi Prison matches, with the latest one occurring at Battleground 2017 when Jinder Mahal, with help from Khali, defeated Randy Orton.
The Punjabi Prison is associated with wrestlers of Indian origin. With Mahal not being associated with the Stamford-based promotion now, there are no major Punjabi stars on the WWE roster. Moreover, the controversial response to the concept means that the company is unlikely to revive the match.
#1. The Extreme Rules match
An Extreme Rules match is virtually a No Holds Barred match. There are no count-outs or disqualifications, all sorts of weapons are legal, and competitors can fight all over the place, but the pinfall or submission must occur inside the ring.
The concept is pretty much alive. Street Fights and No Holds Barred matches essentially abide by the same principles. However, in 2022, after Triple H assumed creative control, all premium live events named after a particular match type were retired.
Therefore, the Hell in a Cell and Extreme Rules PLEs were retired. Since the titular match occurred only at the same event, it is no surprise that it has not happened since October 2022.
