WWE WarGames match rules, explained

WWE is holding its annual Survivor Series premium live event on Thanksgiving weekend, and there’s a twist this time around. No longer will there be the dull Raw vs. SmackDown “battle for brand supremacy” theme like the previous six events. Instead, the focus will be on grudge feuds between 10 superstars, but instead of a regular tag team match, they will be held inside WarGames.

The WarGames match was previously held as an annual NXT TakeOver event in WWE. But in years past, it was held in promotions such as World Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance. As for the match, there will be two rings side-by-side surrounded by a huge steel cage.

Last year, there were two WarGames matches at Survivor Series, the first time on the main roster. The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn) defeated The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch), Drew McIntyre, and Kevin Owens. The second match saw Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Mia Yim, and Becky Lynch beat Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, and Dakota Kai), Nikki Cross, and Rhea Ripley.

In 2023, there will be a men's and women's WarGames match on the Survivor Series card. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and a returning Randy Orton take on The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) and Drew McIntyre, while Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Shotzi face Team Damage CTRL (Bayley, WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Asuka).

It’s a unique match, and the rules prove just that. Here are the rules for WarGames.

WWE WarGames match rules, explained

Both teams will have one person start the match, while the other members will be held in two separate cages on the stage. After five minutes, a member of the team which carries the advantage in a previous matchup will enter the match. Then, alternating members of each team will enter in three-minute periods until everyone enters the match.

Once everyone enters the match, WarGames officially begins. The only way to win is by pinfall or submission.

For the women’s WarGames match in 2022, Team Damage CTRL holds the advantage after Ripley defeated Asuka on the Nov. 21 episode of Monday Night Raw.

As for the men’s WarGames match in 2022, the advantage will be held by Team Brawling Brutes after Sheamus and Drew McIntyre defeated The Uso’s in a tag team bout on the Nov. 25 episode of SmackDown.

For the 2023 men's WarGames match, Team Judgment Day holds the man advantage after Drew McIntyre defeated Jey Uso on the Nov. 20 episode of Monday Night Raw. As for the women's WarGames match, the advantage will be determined by a fan vote.