Too Many Multi-Superstar Matches Is Detrimental to WWE

Three of the biggest matches WWE has scheduled on the Road to WrestleMania feature at least five participants. Is this new normal going to be sustainable?

In the long history of professional wrestling, many of the best matches are products of rivalries. Rhodes vs. Flair. Flair vs. Steamboat. Hart vs. Austin. The one thing those rivalries had in common? In-ring chemistry, built up through a long run of singles matches. But in WWE in 2018, that may be a thing of the past.

For some time now, multi-superstar matches have become a more common occurrence. From a triple threat, to a fatal four way, or even a six pack challenge, WWE has tried to make the most out of its larger roster. To a certain extent, it’s been a good thing – more superstars get a chance to perform in a big match, and more performances usually leads to developing skills for the talent.

But at some point, a good, well written and developed story – or rivalry – needs that singles match to add some finality to the program. If two guys are going to war over a championship, or pride, or something, there needs to be a definitive victor when all is said and done. With a singles match, there’s (usually) no question as to who truly came out on top.

As fatal four ways and up become the norm, though, there’s risk of losing that sense of finality. Look at the two pay per views scheduled between now and WrestleMania. This Sunday at Elimination Chamber, the ostensible main event is the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match. It’s become the biggest Elimination Chamber match in WWE history, with seven superstars entering the structure.

Also on that card? The first ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match – featuring six of WWE’s top female superstars. To build to both of those matches, Raw this week features a seven-man Gauntlet Match, and a six-woman tag match. Gee, how many of those have there been in recent weeks?

What about the Blue Team? Over on SmackDown Live, the Fastlane main event is a WWE Championship fatal five way. Rather than focus on one singular challenger to the top prize in WWE, we’re getting basically a free for all. I can understand the Elimination Chamber needing to be a multi-man match, but Fastlane, too? Things are getting out of hand.

While one could argue that more participants in a match adds to the excitement because of the mass of bodies in the ring – a good point, too – and helps to lessen the risk of injury – possibly – it’s becoming an epidemic. There’s even been speculation that once WWE returns to co-branded pay per view events, this type of match will become even more ubiquitous.