Battle royal (professional wrestling)

A 25-Diva battle royal held at WrestleMania XXV.

In professional wrestling, a battle royal (sometimes battle royale; plural battles royal or battle royals) is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner. Typical battle royals begin with a number of participants in the ring, who are then eliminated by being thrown over the top rope and having both feet touch the venue floor.

Variations

Battlebowl

Created by World Championship Wrestling in 1991, the Battlebowl battle royal involved a multiple ring setup. Wrestlers were first thrown—over the top rope—from the first ring to the second, not actually being eliminated until going over the top rope of the second ring. "Survivors" of the first ring were allowed a rest period until the other ring was cleared.

Bunkhouse Stampede

The National Wrestling Alliance's (NWA) Bunkhouse Stampede involved wrestlers wearing what was described as "bunkhouse gear"—cowboy boots, jeans, t-shirts—instead of their normal wrestling tights and not only allowed but encouraged the bringing of weapons. In 1988 the NWA named a pay-per-view after the Bunkhouse Stampede, headlined by a Bunkhouse Stampede match held inside a cage.

Gauntlet for the Gold

Main article: Gauntlet for the Gold

Gauntlet for the Gold is a variation on the battle royal used by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. In this version two wrestlers begin in the ring, with additional wrestlers entering on a set time period. Wrestlers are eliminated by being thrown over the top rope and to the floor until two wrestlers are left, at which point a standard singles match begins.

Last Blood battle royal

A Last Blood battle royal is essentially a multi-competitor First Blood match. The winner is the last wrestler in the match not bleeding,whereas the wrestler who got busted open will be eliminated from the competition.

Reverse battle royal

A reverse battle royal begins with wrestlers surrounding the ring instead of inside it. At the start of the match they battle for half of them to get in to the ring, at which point a standard last person standing wins the battle royal.

Diva battle royal

A diva battle royal is one which features female competitors. However, in this variant divas can be thrown through or under the ropes as well as over the top rope.

Royal Rumble

Main article: Royal Rumble

WWE's Royal Rumble is a 30-person battle royal with two wrestlers in the ring initially, and the remaining participants are introduced in order in 90 second intervals, rather than all beginning at the same time. In addition, to be eliminated, a wrestler must be thrown over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. In most years prior to January 30, 2011, where it was a 40-person battle royal, it was a 30-person battle royal. The first Royal Rumble ever held in January 24, 1988 was a 20-man Royal Rumble.As of January 19th Royal Rumble 2012 Sheamus won by eliminating Chris Jericho.

WCW World War 3

Main article: WCW World War 3

World Championship Wrestling's World War 3 (also III) was a 60-man battle royal. The match begins with the wrestlers spread evenly among the three rings, and when 30 remain they are consolidated into the center ring. For the final year the rules were modified to allow pinfall and submission eliminations and change the consolidation point to 20.

Team variations

Team variations of battle royals consist of two or more teams of wrestlers, with the number of wrestlers on each team usually being equal. There are different types of such matches:

• A team is eliminated when only one wrestler for that team is eliminated.
• Matches end when there are wrestlers for only one team (the winners), who have not been eliminated.
• A team is eliminated when all wrestlers for that team is eliminated, as mentioned above.

References

• Mick Foley (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. HarperCollins. ISBN 0061031011.