RULES:

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Rope Breaks: When a wrestler who is in a submission hold or is being pinned reaches the ropes, the hold or pin must be broken with-in the referee's count of five or the match will end via disqualification, and the match will be awarded to the recipient of the hold or pin.
 

Ring out count: When a wrestler or both wrestlers are out of the ring the referee will count to ten, and if they do not make it back to the ring, the match with be waved off or the match is a countout victory for the one who made it into the ring in time.
 

Pinfall Victory: The pinfall is made when a wrestler presses the opponents shoulders down flat on the ring canvass for a referee's count of three. If a wrestler gets out [Kicks out] before the three is counted, the match will continue until a decision is scored.
 

Submission/Tap out Victory: The submission occurs when a wrestler is forced to quit/forfeit when he or she can no longer continue the match, The match is either ended via tapping the canvass with their hand or by verbally informing the referee to end the contest.
 

Referee stoppage/TKO Victory: Whilst the TKO [technical knockout] rarely occurs in pro wrestling, the referee stoppage is the more common occurrence of the two. The TKO victory occurs when a wrestler is unable to respond to a referee's ten count when inside of the ring. The Referee Stoppage occurs where the referee steps in and ends the match for the wrestler who can not continue the match. This happens when a wrestler is reluctant to end the match, therefore for his or her safety, the referee makes the decision for them to stop the bout.

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Disqualification Victory: The DQ result happens when either of the following occurs;
1. The wrestler ignores the referee and/or refuses to listen to the referee's orders.
2. The wrestler uses a foreign object [weapon] on his or her opponent.
3. The wrestler hits a low-blow [attack to the privates] and in some cases poking the eyes.
4. The wrestler refuses to release a hold after a count of five when the opponent is holding or touching the ropes.
 

Countout Victory: The countout occurs when a wrestler is not able to re-enter the ring before a referee's ten count.

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OTHER FINISHES:

 

Double Disqualification: The double DQ takes place when both wrestlers break the rules as mentioned prior.
 

Double Countout: A double countout occurs when both wrestlers are unable to re-enter the ring before the referee's ten count.
 

Double Knockout: A double knockout takes place when both wrestlers are unable to stand up before the referee's count of ten.
 

Draw or No Contest: A draw takes place in the following situations;
1. Following a double KO
2. Following a double countout
3. Following a double DQ
4. Following a double pinfall when both wrestlers shoulders are flat on the mat and both are touching one another in a pinning position.
5. Following a rare double submission when both wrestlers who have each other in submission holds tap out at the same time.

 

CHAMPIONS ADVANTAGE RULE:

The champions advantage is the easy way out of a champions title defence, in which he or she or a team [if its a tag team match] deliberately gets disqualified or counted out due to the championship belt/s not being able to change on anything other than a pinfall or submission victory.

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MATCHES AND GIMMICK MATCHES:

 

1 vs. 1 Match: Win via scoring the winning Pinfall or Submission decision in the ring [unless in a falls count anywhere match]. A DQ or countout will end the match also.

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2 vs. 2 Tag Team Match: Win via the legal wrestler scoring the winning Pinfall or Submission decision in the ring [unless in a falls count anywhere match]. The Legal wrestler is the wrestler who is allowed in the ring at that time as only one from each team is allowed in at a time. A DQ or countout will end the match also.

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2 vs. 2 Tornado Tag Team Match: There are usually no disqualifications or countouts, and both members of each team are legally allowed to be in the ring at the same time unlike standard tag team matches. Win via first man on either team scoring the first pinfall or submission decision in the ring [unless in a falls count anywhere match]. 

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3 vs. 3 or more [standard tag]: As like the 2 vs. 2 tag team match, only one wrestler of each team is legally allowed in the ring at one time, but the match can feature more members on each team like 4 vs. 4 or 5 vs. 5. Win via scoring the winning Pinfall or Submission decision in the ring. A DQ or countout will end the match also.

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Elimination Tag Team Match: Any numbers of wrestlers can make up a team in this match, however Only one member of each team can be in the ring at one time, but once a wrestler is either pinned, submitted, counted out or disqualified, he or she must leave the ring and head to the back. When and only when all wrestlers of a team have been eliminated can the match be won. Elimination occur via scoring a Pinfall or Submission decision in the ring [unless in a falls count anywhere match]. A DQ or countout will result in an elimination.

 

Steel Cage Match: The wrestling ring is surrounded by a steel cage match, which ideally prevents escape. The ways to win this match are as follows; Escaping the cage via climbing over the top if the cage and both feet hitting the floor, By escaping through the cage door on the side and both feet touching the floor, or by Pinfall or Submission in the ring. There are no countouts or disqualifications in this match.

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Hell in a Cell Match [Closed Cage Roof]: The Hell in a Cell is steel cage that has a steel roof ontop of it, preventing any forms of escape. The cage door unlike the steel cage match is locked, and victory can only be attained via Pinfall or submission in the ring[unless in a falls count anywhere variation] There are no countouts or Disqualifications in this match. 

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Battle Royale / Royal Rumble Match: The battle royale and the Royal Rumble are over the top rope elimination matches, in which the only way to win is by eliminating all of the opponents by throwing them over the top rope and both feet hitting the floor. The match either starts with all participants in the ring or starts off with two, then the rest enter one at a time until all have entered. Some match variations see the final two remaining wrestlers compete in a singles match after all but two have been eliminated.

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Extreme Rules / Hardcore / No DQ / No Holds Barred Match: In this match there are no illegal holds or moves such as low blows, usage of weapons, and no rope breaks etcetera. The only way to win is via Pinfall or Submission in the ring [unless a falls count anywhere stipulation is added].

Ladder Match: The Ladder match is one of the few matches where a pinfall, submission, countout or DQ finish isn't used. The only way to win is by climbing up a ladder to retrieve a Championship belt or whatever is up for grabs that is hanging high above the ring. The first man to get the object hanging wins. Same rules apply to WWE's money in the Bank ladder match.

Last Man/Woman Standing Match: The man standing match is basically a knockout match, where the winner is the first to knock out the opponent to the point where he or she can not get to their feet before the referee counts to ten. No pinfalls, submissions, countouts or DQ's apply, and the victory can be attained anywhere from inside and outside the ring.

Iron Man Match: The Iron Man match is a match that is set to a specific time limit, such as one hour or half an hour, and the wrestler who scores the most decisions IE pinfalls or submissions by the end of the match is the winner. DQ's and countouts can be made legal depending on the stipulation.

Ultimate X Match: A TNA/Impact creation, in which an X or a title belt is hung above the ring on an X shaped rope that spans from corner to corner, allowing wrestlers to climb up the turnbuckle and climb along the rope to the centre of the ring to claim the title or X. The winner of the match is the first to obtain what is hanging.

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Lethal Lockdown Match: A TNA/Impact creation which see's two teams collide inside of a cell [cage with a roof], which is loaded with weapons that can be used later in the match all the wrestlers have entered the match and when the roof is lowered. Two men start off and one from each team enters the match every 2 minutes depending on which team received the advantage of having the one up advantage. Pinfalls and submissions can only take place once every man of each team has entered the cage.

I Quit Match: The I quit match is one of the more gruelling matches, with the only way to win the match being to force your opponent to say the words I quit. In this match there are no DQ's, no countouts, no pinfalls and no submission tap outs.

Last Ride Match: The Last Ride match is an Undertaker creation, in which the only way to win is by putting your opponent in the back of a hearse and then driving the hearse into the marked zone in the arena. There are no DQ's in this match, and no submissions, pinfalls or countouts either.

Casket/Coffin Match: Another one of Undertakers sick perverse matches, in which the aim of winning is to put your opponent inside of a casket or coffin and shut the lid. The lid will be opened by the referee but the lid must be shut by the wrestler once the opponent is in the casket to win the bout. No pinfalls, submissions, DQ's or countouts are involved in this match.

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Inferno Match: A WWE creation, in which the only way to win is by setting the opponent on fire. In this match the wrestlers compete only in the ring, and the ring apron is ignited and surrounded by fire, preventing any form of escape. No DQ's, Pinfalls, Countouts, or submissions.
 

Specific Weapon Match [example: A Chair Match]: A normal match which consists of ropebreaks, countouts, disqualifications, except a specific weapon is made legal to be used during the match, however, only that weapon is allowed. Pinfalls and submissions count as usual.

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Texas Bullrope Match: In the Texas Bullrope match, the two wrestlers are coupled to one another via a bullrope that is tied to each wrestlers wrist. The only way to win this match is by touching all four turnbuckles in each corner of the ring in succession. If the wrestler fails to hit all four in succession via being dragged away, he or she must restart the cycle again. No pinfalls, submissions, rope-breaks, countouts or DQ's are involved in this match.

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Strap or Bullrope Match: Similar concept to the Texas Bullrope match, with both wrestlers being joined together via a rope or a leather strap, however the way to win is different. Pinfalls or submissions are the only way to win this match. No DQ's or countouts are in effect.

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Dog Collar Match: Again, Similar concept to the Bullrope match, with both wrestlers being joined together, except they are not joined by the wrists, but by the neck in a dog collar and a steel chain replacing the strap or rope. Pinfalls or submissions are only to way to win. No DQ's or countouts exist in this match.

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Handicap Match: Normal match rules, with pinfalls, submissions, countouts and DQ's as standard, however, in this match one wrestler or team is outnumbered by the opposing side by at least one wrestler. The match could be 2 on 1, or even 4 on 2, and if the elimination rule is in effect, the wrestler must eliminate all opponents to win the match whereas the opponents must only pin him or her once to win.

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Lumberjack Match: The lumberjack match is when the ring is surrounded by the lockeroom as a match is taking place inside of the ring. If a wrestler is thrown outside the ring or falls out, the outside wrestlers can legally throw him or her back into the ring. In most cases the heels and faces are split up on each side of the ring supporting their favourite respectively. Pinfalls and submissions are the clean way to win, although countouts and DQ's are in effect.

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Flag Match: No pinfalls or submissions are needed to win, as the winner is the first to retrieve the flag which is placed upon a corner ring post high above the ring.

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First Blood Match: No pinfalls or submissions, nor are there any countouts or DQ's as the only way to win is by causing the opponent to bleed first.

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Barbed Wire Massacre Match: For this match, the ring ropes are removed and are replaced with barbed wire. Pinfalls and submissions apply, however there are no countouts or DQ's.

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Death Match: Similar to the hardcore match, there are no rules other than to win by pinfall or submission.

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TLC Match: The TLC match is a combination of the Tables, ladders and chairs into one, where the only way to win is by unhooking what ever is up for grabs above the ring like in a standard ladder match. No DQ's or countouts, aswell as no pinfalls or submissions.

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??? on a Pole Match: Like the flag match, an object of choosing is placed on a pole that stems from a corner ring post and hangs high above. The winner is the first to retrieve the object from the pole. If it's a weapon on a pole match, Pinfalls, submissions, DQ's and countouts are in effect, however, only the weapon on the pole is legal to be used in the match.

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Tables Match: No pinfalls or submissions, no countouts or DQ's, the only way to win is by forcibly putting the opponent through a table and smashing the table. The match will not end if a wrestler falls through the table on his or her own power or if the table doesn't break when slammed onto it.

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Elimination Chamber Match: The Elimination Chamber, a WWE exclusive gimmick match, which features what could easily be the largest cage in pro wrestling history, surrounding the ring, and inside the cage are four individual pods (chambers) where four wrestlers will start off inside, allowing the first two entrants to start of the match. In a staggered entry system, another wrestler joins the match when a time limit expires. All wrestlers must be eliminated in order to win the match. There are no DQ's, countout's, ways out of the chamber, and no ways in, The only way to eliminate a wrestler is via pinfall or submission, last man or woman standing is the winner.

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Street Fight Match: Usually the street fight stipulation doesn't have any rules or a referee, it is just a brawl to settle the differences between two heated wrestlers.

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King of the Mountain Match: The King of the Mountain match is the ultimate reverse of the standard ladder match, in which you retrieve a belt or object from above the ring. In this match, a pinfall or submission must take place in order for a wrestler to be legally allowed to attempt to hang up the championship belt that is held by an official at ringside until a fall is scored. When a wrestler is pinned or submitted, he or she must enter a sin bin like cage at ringside and remain in the cage until a 2 minute penalty expires. The first wreslter to hang up the belt wins the match.

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Luchas de Apuestas / Wager Match: The wager is more of a stipulation than a match,[known as Lucha de Apuestas in Lucha Libre] can be competed under any match type, from standard to death matches, and features both wrestlers putting up a wager, for example their career, or a world title shot, and the winner takes all. This is a stipulation, and not a match type.

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Kiss my ??? Match: This stipulation is added to any match type, and the loser must kiss the winner usually on the foot or the backside. This is a stipulation, and not a match type.

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Retirement / Career Threatening Match: Again, its more of a stipulation than a match type. The loser of the match must retire from pro wrestling or the company they are in. This is a stipulation, and not a match type.

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 Mask vs. Mask or Hair vs. Hair Match: Similar to the wager match, except its a specific wager that's put on the line. In Lucha Libre, the mask is so important to a wrestler, and to put the mask on the line is a monumental risk and a great gamble. Also, Hair vs. Mask matches take place in which wrestlers without masks put up the hair as a equalled wager. This is a stipulation, and not a match type.

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Loser Leaves Town Match: The loser leaves town stipulation was most popular during the time of territories, where wrestlers came and went from promotions so quickly. The price for losing the match is the loser can not wrestle in that area again. modern adaptions of the stipulation include not being allowed to compete in a specific Country again. This is a stipulation, and not a match type.

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Elevation X Match: The Elevation X match is an adapted version of the Scaffold match, in which either teams or individual wrestlers fight ontop of a scaffold, or in the Elevation X match, an X shaped walkway high above the ring, attempt to throw the opponent of of the walkway to the ring below. No DQ's countouts, Pinfalls or submissions are in effect.

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Last Chance Match: The last chance is a stipulation added to a match in which a wrestler is given one last chance to win a title, if defeated, he or she is banned from competing for that title for a stated amount of time. This is a stipulation, and not a match type.

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War Games Match: The War Games match, devised by Dusty Rhodes, featured two steel cages side by side surrounding two rings. Two teams of around five members, who enter in a staggered entrant format, battle to the first pinfall or submission finish. There are no DQ's and no ways out of the cages.

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Punjabi Prison Match: The Punjabi Prison match, the speciality match of The Great Khali, is a double bamboo cage match, where the winner is the first to escape both cages and have both feet touching the floor. The first cage, which is smaller than the outer cage, features four trap doors that will be opened only once at the wrestlers call, once the time limit on each cage door is up, the door will be locked, If all four tap doors are sealed after failed escape attempts, the only way out of the first cage [inner cage] is climbing over the top. The outer cage has sharp bamboo canes around the top making escape all the more harder. No pinfalls, submissions, DQ's or countouts in this match.

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Ambulance Match: Similar to the Last Ride match, except the target vehicle to put the opponent in is an ambulance instead of hearse. No DQ's, countouts, pinfalls or submissions.

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Buried Alive Match: The buried alive match is an Undertaker creation, in which the aim of the match is to put the opponent inside of a hole and cover the opponent in soil, thus, burying the opponent alive. No DQ's, submissions, countouts or pinfalls are in effect.

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Stretcher Match: The stretcher match is a no DQ match, where the only way to win is by knocking the opponent down onto the stretcher and fastening up the safety straps in place.

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Championship Scramble Match: The championship scramble match consists of around five wrestlers, and the match is set to a specific time limit. For example, A 20 minute match, and who ever was the last person to score either a pinfall or submission is the winner of the match. As many falls / decisions can take place as possible, but only the last fall when the match ends is the victor.

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Gauntlet Match: The gauntlet match is basically a handicap match, except all members of an opposing team must be eliminated to win the match, and the individual wrestler only needs to be pinned or submitted once to lose.

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Beat the Clock Challenge Match: The Beat the Clock Challenge match is a standard rules match, except the match is set to a very short time limit, and the match must be won in the time given or both wrestlers will lose.

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