Eric Bischoff named the WWE Royal Rumble as the greatest gimmick match of all time.
During an appearance on his podcast 83 Weeks, Bischoff was asked whether the classic WCW WarGames match format took the top slot. He acknowledged its value but made clear that, for him, nothing surpassed the Rumble.
Bischoff explained that the Royal Rumble “served a purpose, and it had drama. It had a story.” He praised its structured format, saying:
“I think Royal Rumble, in my opinion, absolutely just the best format for a gimmick match ever. Because it served a purpose and it had drama. It had a story. It was built on anticipation. There was enough structure and framework to it that made it feel more real. There’s surprises right, left. That’s what it’s built on, and the action takes care of itself. So I mean fundamentally, from my perspective as a producer, it checked all the boxes.”
Bischoff’s take emphasises that a successful gimmick match, in his view, isn’t just about gimmicks, it’s about combining anticipation, surprise, structure and stakes to tell a broader story. His endorsement places the Royal Rumble in the rare category of match types that transcend mere spectacle.
What Did Eric Bischoff Say About The WarGames Match Type?
Eric Bischoff acknowledged that WarGames remains an iconic concept, particularly for fans who grew up with the match during its NWA and WCW years. He said the structure was visually striking and carried an inherent sense of danger, but he felt it lacked the built-in drama and narrative beats that defined the Royal Rumble. In his view, WarGames could captivate an audience, yet it didn’t naturally guide a story in the same way.
He explained that while WarGames offered chaos and atmosphere, it didn’t have the same element of anticipation, countdown-based tension or surprise that made the Rumble so effective.
