What is dark match in WWE?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 14, 2026
A non-televised match at a televised show (compare house show). A dark match before the show is often used to test new talent or warm up the crowd. A dark match after the show typically features main event level wrestlers, in order to sell more tickets and send the crowd home happy, without affecting TV storylines.
Why do WWE have dark matches?
A dark match is a non-televised match at a televised show used to warm up the crowd (compare "house show"). A dark match before the show is usually used to test out new talent (often local to the event) or before a WWE pay-per-view which features wrestlers who are not on the main card.
Does RAW have dark matches?
Three-hour RAW is tougher to sit through than a pay-per-view. You're sitting through 15 commercial breaks, Superstars taping, dark matches and watching backstage segments on the Titantron. This past week's show was a decent show for the time length.
What is the most brutal WWE match ever?
- The Undertaker vs. Mankind: King of the Ring 1998 HIAC.
- The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels: Badd Blood 1997 HIAC. ...
- Tommy Dreamer, Terry Funk, and Beulah vs. Edge, Mick Foley, and Lita. ...
- Kurt Angle vs. Shane McMahon: King of the Ring 2001. ...
- Eddie Guerrero vs. JBL: Judgment Day 2004. ...
- Undertaker vs. ...
- Randy Orton vs. ...
- The Rock vs. ...
What type of matches are in WWE?
- Singles match. A singles match also known as a regular match between two wrestlers. ...
- Empty Arena match. ...
- Falls Count Anywhere match. ...
- Flag match. ...
- Handicap match. ...
- Iron Man match. ...
- Lumberjack match. ...
- Bra and Panties match.
What is a Last Ride match?
A Last Ride match is a hardcore match in which the victory condition is for one wrestler to force their opponent into the back of a hearse, close the door, and drive it out of the arena.
What is the shortest WWE match?
The Rock Def.
He even beat Big Boss Man in five seconds. This match is commonly referred to as the quickest match in WWE history, but Chris Jericho and Jerry Lawler have something to say about that....
What is the best WWE match ever?
The 25 Greatest Wrestlemania Matches, Ranked
- Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (Wrestlemania 13)
- The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (Wrestlemania 25) ...
- Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. ...
- Sasha Banks vs. ...
- Owen Hart vs. ...
- Shawn Michaels vs. ...
- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. ...
- Razor Ramon vs. ...
What is the greatest match in WWE history?
- Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin – 23/3/97 – WrestleMania 13. ...
- Andrade 'Cien' Almas vs. Johnny Gargano – 27/1/18 – NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. ...
- Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker – 5/4/09 – WrestleMania 25. ...
- Ilja Dragunov vs. WALTER – 29/10/20 – NXT UK. ...
- WALTER vs. ...
- CM Punk vs. ...
- Chris Benoit vs. ...
- Edge & Christian vs.
What's a WWE house show?
A house show or live event is a professional wrestling event produced by a major promotion that is not televised, though they can be recorded.
How many matches are in wrestling?
Each of the 14 matches (one match for every weight class) is scored on the following criteria: The winning wrestler's team is allotted 3 points if he wins the match on points, with a margin of victory of 7 points or less.
Is wrestling real WWE?
As in other professional wrestling promotions, WWE shows are not legitimate contests but entertainment-based performance theater, featuring storyline-driven, scripted, and partially-choreographed matches; however, matches often include moves that can put performers at risk of injury, even death, if not performed ...
Why is it called kayfabe?
Pro wrestling can trace some of its stylistic origins back to carnivals and Catch Wrestling, where the term "kayfabe" is thought to have originated as carny slang for "protecting the secrets of the business." The term "kayfabe" itself may ultimately originate from the Pig Latin form of "fake" ("ake-fay") or the phrase ...
What is a Smark?
smark (plural smarks) A fan of professional wrestling who is aware that the matches are scripted but enjoys them nonetheless.
Who is the No 1 wrestler in WWE?
1. Steve Austin. Steve Austin, also known as cold stone, is considered the best professional wrestler ever.
Who has the most 5 star matches in WWE?
There have been 199 matches awarded 5 or more stars; Mitsuharu Misawa has the most individual matches with 25.
Who won WrestleMania 30?
Daniel Bryan wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: WrestleMania 30 - YouTube.
What is the fastest pin in WWE?
Aliyah stunned the WWE Universe on WWE SmackDown when she defeated Natalya in 3.17 seconds, creating a new record for the fastest-ever victory in WWE history.
Where does sharpshooter hurt?
Some feed their arms through the opponent's legs differently for more torque and pressure, some squat down while others remain standing high. But the hold nearly always inflicts pain on knees, legs and lower backs. It is NOT fun to be locked in the Sharpshooter.
What is the longest wrestling match ever?
The wrestler Martin Klein from Viljandi County is the first Estonian athlete to win an olympic medal. At Stockholm Olympics in 1912, he won the longest wrestling match ever recorded, which lasted 11 hours and 40 minutes.
How is WWE fake?
Yes, WWE is fake to an extent, and everything is scripted entirely. The results of the fights/matches are pre-decided, the wrestlers partially follow a script in whatever they do, and whatever they speak. WWE has hired professional writers to jot the scripts.
Who was the first WWE champion?
The WWE Championship is widely recognized as the most historic championship in WWE. Dating back to 1963, the WWE Championship was first awarded to Buddy Rogers after he defeated Antonino Rocca in the finals of a tournament in April.
