An "I quit" match is a type of professional wrestling submission match in which the only way to win is to make the opponent verbally concede to the referee (usually into a microphone).[1] It is a variation of the submission match as it can only be won by submission, but it is special in that the submission has to take the form of the forfeiting opponent conceding verbally. Generally, whenever a wrestler knocks down their opponent with a move or inflicts a submission move, the opponent will be asked—either by the referee or the opponent—to say the concession into a microphone. "I quit" matches are commonly used to settle (kayfabe) grudges and embarrass rivals since saying "I quit" is usually a sign of admitted inferiority.
History
The first "I quit" match was in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)/Jim Crockett Promotions at Starrcade on November 28, 1985. Magnum T. A. defeated Tully Blanchard in a match (with a cage around the ring) for Blanchard's NWA United States Heavyweight Championship. Near the end of that match, Magnum used a piece of wood with a nail in it to pierce Blanchard's forehead. At that point, Blanchard screamed "Yes! Yes!" into the microphone, indicating that he was conceding the match, awarding Magnum the championship.
One of the most famous "I quit" matches took place on January 24, 1999, at the Royal Rumble between The Rock and Mick Foley (as Mankind) in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) for the WWF Championship. The match lasted just over 20 minutes, ending after Foley took eleven unprotected chair shots to the head while his hands were handcuffed behind his back. The Rock eventually won the match, but it was later revealed that Foley was completely unconscious and The Rock had played a tape of Foley's concession announcement over the public address system.[1] The following night on Raw, The Rock's "I quit!" match against Triple H ended when Triple H was extorted into a verbal concession because Kane was about to chokeslam Chyna. John Cena retained his WWE Championship by defeating John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) in an "I quit" match at Judgment Day on May 22, 2005. At Breaking Point on September 13, 2009, Cena defeated his long time rival Randy Orton in an "I quit" match to win the WWE Championship, forcing Orton to verbally concede while he was handcuffed and Cena simultaneously had applied his submission hold, the STF.[2]
"I quit" matches involving women have been rare. At No Mercy on October 19, 2003, there was an intergender match between WWE chairman Vince McMahon and his daughter Stephanie partly under "I quit" rules. However, the match was decided when Stephanie's mother Linda threw in the towel for her daughter, giving Vince the victory.[1] The first "I quit" match between WWE Divas was contested at One Night Stand on June 1, 2008, when Beth Phoenix defeated Melina.
On the May 14, 2009 episode of Impact, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) put on its first "I quit" match, where Booker T defeated Jethro Holiday after an axe kick. TNA had another "I quit" match on May 24, 2009, where A.J. Styles defeated Booker T to retain the TNA Legends Championship after Jenna Morasca threw a towel into the ring for Booker T.
On the May 4, 2016 episode of Lucha Underground, Sexy Star defeated Mariposa in the promotion's first "I quit" match, known in Spanish as a "no mas" ("no more") match.
An "I respect you" match is a variation of the "I quit" match where the winning concession was "I respect you". The first "I respect you" match was held in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) at SuperBrawl VI on February 11, 1996, and pitted Brian Pillman and Kevin Sullivan. At the end of the match, Pillman conceded by saying "I respect you, bookerman!". In doing so, Pillman broke kayfabe as Sullivan was also WCW booker at the time.
One January 17, 2017 episode of WWE 205 Live, Jack Gallagher defeated Ariya Daivari in an "I forfeit" match where that phrase was the conceding phrase.
Matches
All Elite Wrestling
| Participants | Title on the line/ Stipulation | Event | Date | Location | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Moxley (c) defeated Eddie Kingston | AEW World Championship | Full Gear | November 7, 2020 | Jacksonville, Florida | [3] | |
| Adam Copeland defeated Christian Cage (c) | AEW TNT Championship | Dynamite | March 20, 2024 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Extreme Championship Wrestling
| Participants | Title on the line/ Stipulation | Event | Date | Location | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Funk defeated Eddie Gilbert | none | ECW Show | January 23, 1993 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Billed as a I Quit Texas Death match | [4] |
| Tommy Dreamer defeated The Sandman | none | ECW Show | October 1, 1994 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | [5] | |
| Tommy Dreamer defeated C. W. Anderson | none | Guilty as Charged | January 7, 2001 | New York, New York | [6] |
Lucha Underground
In the promotion, "I quit" matches are billed as a "No Más Match," with the submission phrase was made in Spanish ("No más").
| Participants | Title on the line/ Stipulation | Event | Date | Location | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sexy Star defeated Mariposa | Aztec Medallions | Lucha Underground (Season 2, Ep 15) | December 13, 2015 (taped) May 4, 2016 (aired) | [7] | ||
| XO Lishus defeated Jack Evans | Lucha Underground (Season 4, Ep 12) | March 2018 (taped) August 29, 2018 (aired) | Union Central Cold Storage Warehouse | [8] |
Ring of Honor
| Participants | Title on the line/ Stipulation | Event | Date | Location | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Shelley defeated Jimmy Jacobs | none | Joe vs. Punk II | October 16, 2004 | Chicago Ridge, Illinois | [9] | |
| Jimmy Rave defeated Nigel McGuinness | none | Battle of the Icons | January 27, 2007 | Edison, New Jersey | The referee stopped the match after McGuinness refused to say "I Quit" and Rave attempted to break his leg. | [10] |
| Austin Aries defeated Jimmy Jacobs | none | Rising Above 2008 | November 22, 2008 | Chicago Ridge, Illinois | [11] | |
| Colt Cabana defeated Steve Corino | none | Richards vs. Daniels | October 16, 2010 | Chicago Ridge, Illinois | [12] | |
| Ethan Page defeated Tony Nese | none | Final Battle (2023) | December 15, 2023 | Garland, Texas | [13] |
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling
| Participants | Title on the line/ Stipulation | Event | Date | Location | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booker T defeated Jethro Holliday | none | Impact! | May 14, 2009 (aired) | Orlando, Florida | [14] | |
| A.J. Styles (c) defeated Booker T | TNA Legends Championship | Sacrifice | May 24, 2009 | Orlando, Florida | [15] | |
| Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love ended in a no contest | none | Impact! | April 6, 2010 (taped) April 12, 2010 (aired) | Orlando, Florida | Match was the result of an open contract won by Sky and was changed from a Leather and Lace match immediately before it started. Love was handcuffed during this match. Match was thrown out after The Beautiful People and Tara interfered. | [16] |
| Brian Kendrick defeated Douglas Williams | none | Impact! | July 15, 2010 (aired) | Orlando, Florida | [17] | |
| A.J. Styles defeated Tommy Dreamer | none | No Surrender | September 5, 2010 | Orlando, Florida | [18] | |
| A.J. Styles defeated Christopher Daniels | none | Bound For Glory | October 16, 2011 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | [19] | |
| Kurt Angle defeated D'Lo Brown | none | Impact! | April 25, 2013 (taped) | Orlando, Florida | [20] | |
| Gunner defeated James Storm | none | Sacrifice | April 27, 2014 | Orlando, Florida | [21] | |
| Mr. Anderson defeated Samuel Shaw | none | Impact Wrestling: Hardcore Justice | August 5, 2014 (taped) August 21, 2014 (aired) | Orlando, Florida | [22] | |
| Kurt Angle (c) defeated Eric Young | TNA World Heavyweight Championship | Impact! | May 29, 2015 (aired) | Orlando, Florida | [23] | |
| Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy ended in a no contest | none | Impact! | April 19, 2016 (aired) | Orlando, Florida | Match ended after neither man could continue | [24] |
World Championship Wrestling
| Participants | Title on the line/ Stipulation | Event | Date | Location | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Taskmaster defeated Brian Pillman | none | SuperBrawl VI | February 11, 1996 | St. Petersburg, Florida | This was a "I Respect You" Strap match. | [25] |
| Goldberg defeated Sid Vicious | none | Mayhem | November 21, 1999 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | [26] | |
| Roddy Piper defeated Creative Control (Gerald and Patrick) | none | Nitro | December 6, 1999 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | This was a Handicap "I Quit" match. | [27] |
| David Flair defeated Terry Funk | none | Nitro | February 7, 2000 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | [28] | |
| Dustin Rhodes defeated Terry Funk | none | Uncensored | March 19, 2000 | Miami, Florida | This was a Bullrope Match. | [29] |
| Norman Smiley (c) defeated M.I. Smooth | WCW Hardcore Championship | Thunder | August 22, 2000 (taped) August 23, 2000 (aired) | Tulsa, Oklahoma | [30] |
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
| Participants | Title on the line/ Stipulation | Event | Date | Location | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bret Hart defeated Bob Backlund | none | WrestleMania XI | April 2, 1995 | Hartford, Connecticut | Guest referee Roddy Piper ended the match though Backlund uttered the words "I Quit" only incompletely | [31] |
| Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Ken Shamrock | none | Raw Is War | October 26, 1998 | Madison, Wisconsin | Austin used the unconscious Shamrock's hands to signal a tap out submission. | |
| The Rock defeated Mankind (c) | WWF Championship | Royal Rumble | January 24, 1999 | Anaheim, California | Mankind did not say "I quit", instead an earlier recording of Mankind saying the phrase was played over the PA system while Mankind laid unconscious in the entrance. The Rock was still awarded the victory. | [32] |
| The Rock (c) defeated Triple H | WWF Championship | Raw Is War | January 25, 1999 | Phoenix, Arizona | [33] | |
| Mr. McMahon defeated Stephanie McMahon | Loser had to leave their position
| No Mercy | October 19, 2003 | Baltimore, Maryland | Stephanie did not say the words "I Quit"; Linda McMahon threw a towel into the ring. Stephanie was also able to win this match via pinfall. | [34] |
| John Cena (c) defeated John Bradshaw Layfield | WWE Championship | Judgment Day | May 22, 2005 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | [35] | |
| Ric Flair defeated Mick Foley | none | SummerSlam | August 20, 2006 | Boston, Massachusetts | [36] | |
| Chavo Guerrero defeated Rey Mysterio | none | SmackDown! | October 15, 2006 (taped) October 20, 2006 (aired) | Los Angeles, California | ||
| Rey Mysterio defeated Chavo Guerrero | none | Smackdown! | September 1, 2007 (taped) September 7, 2007 (aired) | Cincinnati, Ohio | [37] | |
| Beth Phoenix defeated Melina | none | One Night Stand | June 1, 2008 | San Diego, California | [38] | |
| Big Show defeated Ryan Taylor | none | Smackdown! | October 14, 2008 (taped) October 17, 2008 (aired) | Las Vegas, Nevada | [39] | |
| Jeff Hardy defeated Matt Hardy | none | Backlash | April 26, 2009 | Providence, Rhode Island | [40] | |
| John Cena defeated Randy Orton (c) | WWE Championship | Breaking Point | September 13, 2009 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | If anyone had interfered on Orton's behalf, he would have immediately lost the title. | [41] |
| John Cena (c) defeated Batista | WWE Championship | Over The Limit | May 23, 2010 | Detroit, Michigan | [42] | |
| John Cena (c) defeated The Miz | WWE Championship | Over The Limit | May 22, 2011 | Seattle, Washington | [43] | |
| Alberto Del Rio defeated Jack Swagger | #1 contendership to the World Heavyweight Championship | Extreme Rules | May 19, 2013 | St. Louis, Missouri | [44] | |
| John Cena (c) defeated Rusev | WWE United States Championship | Payback | May 17, 2015 | Baltimore, Maryland | Instead of Rusev, his manager Lana conceded the match, saying "He Quits". | [45] |
| Jack Gallagher defeated Ariya Daivari | none | 205 Live | January 17, 2017 | Memphis, Tennessee | Billed as an "I Forfeit" match. | [46] |
| Cedric Alexander defeated Noam Dar | none | 205 Live | July 11, 2017 | San Antonio, Texas | [47] | |
| Kay Lee Ray (c) defeated Toni Storm | NXT UK Women's Championship | NXT UK | January 18, 2020 (taped) February 27, 2020 (aired) | York, England | This was a Last Chance "I Quit" match. Since Storm lost, she could no longer challenge for the NXT UK Women's Championship as long as Ray held it. | [48] |
| Roman Reigns (c) defeated Jey Uso | WWE Universal Championship | Hell in a Cell | October 25, 2020 | Orlando, Florida | This was the first ever Hell in a Cell match contested under an "I Quit" stipulation and therefore the first "I Quit" match contested inside the Hell in a Cell structure. | [49] |
| Ronda Rousey defeated Charlotte Flair in an "I Quit" Beat the Clock Challenge Rousey defeated Shotzi in 1:41 Charlotte Flair and Aliyah lost when neither could cause a verbal concession within that time. | none | SmackDown | April 22, 2022 (taped) April 29, 2022 (aired) | Albany, New York | This was a Beat the Clock challenge contested under an "I Quit" stipulation. There were two matches, both contested under the stipulation. Rousey set the time of 1:41, but neither wrestler in Flair vs Aliyah made a verbal concession within the time limit of and the buzzer sounded, ending the match and giving Rousey the win. | [50] |
| Ronda Rousey defeated Charlotte Flair (c) | WWE SmackDown Women's Championship | WrestleMania Backlash | May 8, 2022 | Providence, Rhode Island | [51] | |
| Finn Bálor defeated Edge | none | Extreme Rules | October 8, 2022 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | [52] |