WWE WarGames: Everything you need to know about the match ahead of its return this Survivor Series
Get to know more about the history and the rules as one of wrestling’s most brutal matches returns to the WWE this month.
- The teams are starting to take shape ahead of the men’s and women’s WarGames match taking place at Survivor Series this month.
- But what does the match entail, and why was it created in the first place?
- Here’s our guide to the ‘hellacious’ match type, and suggestions on which ones to watch ahead of 2025’s melee.
It’s the recent WWE Thanksgiving tradition that is also one of it’s most brutal match types - and you can thank someone’s “dahday’ for it’s invention.
With WWE Survivor Series taking place on November 29 at Petco Park in San Diego, California, all eyes are on the unforgiving steel structure that will contain the chaos. With the team of Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and CM Punk set to battle The Vision, the legendary WarGames match is once again front and centre.
the anticipation is equally high for the women's contest, which will see Rhea Ripley lead a team including Iyo Sky, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss against the imposing alliance of Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and The Kabuki Warriors.
But what are the exact rules of the match, why was it created in the first place and what should I watch to get me prepared for this year’s encounters?
Here is the definitive guide to everything you need to know about the two-ring steel cage match, from its inspiration to the moment it became a modern meme.
Everything you need to know about WWE WarGames
What is the WarGames Match?
The WarGames match is a multi-person tag team contest held inside a massive, rectangular steel cage that encloses two wrestling rings placed side-by-side and is fought under no disqualification rules.
Unlike a traditional tag match, competitors enter sequentially rather than all at once. The match officially begins with one member from each opposing team starting the action. After a set period, a member from one team gains a numerical advantage, entering the cage next. Teams then alternate sending in competitors until all participants from both teams are inside.
Crucially, the match cannot end until all members have entered the cage, at which point "The Match Beyond" begins, and victory is decided only by pinfall or submission.
Why was the WarGames match created?
The concept for the match was famously created by the late great Dusty Rhodes (the ‘American Dream’ and father of Cody Rhodes). Dusty Rhodes was inspired after watching the 1985 post-apocalyptic film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which featured gladiatorial combat inside a cage.
The match was created to serve as the ultimate team grudge match for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) against their biggest villainous faction, The Four Horsemen, ensuring that all members of both factions could be involved in the final, decisive battle.
When did the first WarGames match take place?
The very first WarGames match, known as War Games: The Match Beyond, took place on July 4, 1987, at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia, during the NWA's Great American Bash '87 tour.
The two teams involved were the Super Powers Team and The Four Horsemen. The Super Powers Team consisted of Dusty Rhodes (the match creator), Nikita Koloff, and the tag team The Road Warriors (Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal), along with their manager, Paul Ellering.
They faced off against the legendary faction The Four Horsemen, which included Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and Lex Luger, managed by J.J. Dillon. The Super Powers Team ultimately won the match when J.J. Dillon submitted.
When was the first WWE WarGames match?
The first WWE-branded WarGames match took place on November 18 2017, at the NXT TakeOver: WarGames event.
The match featured The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O'Reilly) against the team of SAnitY and the team of Roderick Strong and The Authors of Pain.
When was the first women's WarGames match?
The first all-women's WarGames match in WWE history took place at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019 on November 23. Team Ripley (Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, and Dakota Kai) faced Team Baszler.
Who has appeared in the most WarGames matches?
In the original NWA/WCW era, the record holder is the legendary Sting with 19 appearances.
In the modern WWE era, the record is held by Adam Cole, along with his Undisputed Era cohorts Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish, who each have four appearances in the NXT version of the match.
Who won the last WWE WarGames match?
The most recent match took place at Survivor Series: WarGames 2024. The men's match was won by the team of Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jey & Jimmy Uso), Sami Zayn, and CM Punk, defeating The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) and Bronson Reed.
The most recent women’s match also took place at WarGames 2024, when the team of Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky, and Bayley defeated Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae.
The victory was secured by Rhea Ripley pinning Liv Morgan.
What are some WarGames matches I should check out before Survivor Series 2025?
Well, let’s take a look at Cagematch for some of the highest rated matches that are available to watch currently and the ratings users of the website game them:
- WCW WrestleWar 1992 - "War Games": Arn Anderson, Beautiful Bobby, Larry Zbyszko, Rick Rude & Steve Austin vs. Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Ricky Steamboat & Sting (9.10)
- WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2017: Adam Cole, Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly vs. Akam, Rezar & Roderick Strong vs. Alexander Wolfe, Eric Young & Killian Dain (8.89)
- WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019: Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong vs. Dominik Dijakovic, Keith Lee, Kevin Owens & Tommaso Ciampa (8.70)
- WWE NXT WarGames 2021: Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller & Tony D'Angelo vs. Johnny Gargano, LA Knight, Pete Dunne & Tommaso Ciampa (8.68)
- WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2018: Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong vs. Hanson, Pete Dunne, Ricochet & Rowe (8.63)
Why is William Regal Yelling "WarGames" a Meme?
The phrase "WarGames!" became an internet meme thanks to the former NXT General Manager, William Regal. When WWE revived the match in 2017 for its NXT brand, Regal was responsible for announcing the stipulation.
His delivery—often dramatic, serious, and ending with a loud, drawn-out shout of "WAAAR... GAMES!"—was so distinct and over-the-top that fans immediately latched onto it, turning it into a recurring, affectionate joke and soundbite across social media and wrestling forums.
You can watch the next two WarGames matches in the United Kingdom exclusively through Netflix when it airs on November 30 from 12am GMT. On-demand replays will be available once the show has finished broadcasting.