Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Monday, December 10, 2007 at 5:40 AM EST

It's been over a week since I wrote, and truth be told, there's not much I really want to talk about. Yeah, I could spend a hundred thousand words ripping the suits in TNA, or questioning what WWE is doing creatively, but frankly, nobody seems to want to hear it.

And truthfully, I don't want to write it this time. I have too much going on in my real life to worry about bashing some stuff for now. So, I am going to change gears a bit.

I don't mean to do cheap plugs with this column, but I am trying my best to make as interactive an environment as I can, and I thought beginning with this topic may spark some people to come to my blog to talk further about it. (There's more stuff there, I just can't promote it here without getting in to trouble.)

Anyway, the topic is, to use a friend's suggestion, my favorite gimmick match.

Yes, I know, I'm the one person who says he loves the wrestler who comes out, says nothing, hits someone in the side of the temple, and walks away. I know. I am that guy. But, I have to admit, I like gimmick matches. I personally love the ladder and TLC matches, the ladder match DVD is one of the best matches DVDs WWE home video has put out there. I also love the Hell in a Cell, Steel cage, and lumberjack matches as well.

But, If I were to be put on the spot, and name my favorite gimmick matches, I think I can come up with a top five. Let's try and pull this off.

In no particular order, let's begin.

TNA's Lethal Lockdown - I like the idea of the six sides of steel with weapons. Truth be told, WWE should've stolen more of this idea when they did the ECW Elimination Chamber match. It's unpredictable, because the weapons are hung from the ring, but there really isn't a whole lot of area to move around, like the chamber, because of the lack of outside the ring area. Chaos, and mayhem, personnified. I kind of enjoyed the 2007 Lockdown version with the wildcard of Jeff Jarrett as the face or heel on Team Angle.

War Games - I got the exposure to this, literally, from the Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen DVD. I saw their wargames match that was featured there, and I loved it. I like the two rings aspect of that match, and the potential chaos that can ensue. I would absolutely love to see WWE encompass this idea, but I doubt we'll ever see it, and it's funny to mention it, as there was a report that I read on this just recently.

TLC/Ladder Match - I have to add these two together, because the rules are the same, its just named differently. Personally, TLC is more vicious, and I am always a fan of viciousness, but some ladder matches I have witnessed have been first class. The one I remember the most is from last year's Armageddon with the four team tag title ladder match, London & Kendrick vs. Regal & Taylor vs. MNM vs. the Hardys. Tell me that one wasn't off the page.

Inferno Match - Sheer guts and intestinal fortitude is an absolute must if you're going to compete here. Yes, Kane has done it numerous times, but it matches the gimmick, and he's just plain nuts. Major props to MVP for his participation and subsequent burn he sustained at the last inferno match at that December Armageddon in 2006.

The Elimination Chamber - I know it's pretty much the same as lethal lockdown, spare the weapons, and add the outside the ring aspect, but the chambers and the outer ring area lead to a whole new aspect of the match that makes it just that much more unpredictable. Personally, the first one they did at Survivor Series 2002 was the best, although Goldberg's performance in his was certainly memorable. The last one was less than thrilling, but hey, what can you say? The rumours are its going to come back at No Way Out, and I am anxious to see it. I have to like this one the best, because I have all of them on DVD.

I know I am not including matches like the Royal Rumble, hardcoree matches, steel cage matches, etc., but truth be told, it's too much to even try and depict all in one column. I have to say with conviction though that some of the dumbest ideas that I have seen on gimmick matches have been done in TNA recently.

The Prison Yard Match, the Last Rites Match were abhorrent. I am also not a fan of this feast or fired thing they're involved with now, because frankly, it was a cluster-fu*k from the word go. Not much else can be said, except that Sting's influence during the feud with Abyss was a little too apparent if you ask me.

However, I personally love the King of the Mountain and Ultimate X matches. I think the reverse ladder match concept with the penalty box is terrific. I have quite a few of the Slammiversaries to prove that, as well. UX is just plain athletic superiority. I have a few of them as well. Styles, Daniels, and Sabin won me over as fans of their work during their performances in this match.

Two cards from WWE that stick in my mind as the best gimmick match cards are Unforgiven 2006, with the TLC and Hell in a Cell matches, and as mentioned before, Armageddon 2007, with the inferno and ladder matches.

Here's where the fun starts, I hope.

I'd like to hear your favorite gimmick matches and why. Come to my blog, there's some stuff there that will allow you to say your piece. Check it out by clicking here. Look right under the title for the link I am talking about.

Hopefully, you guys will take the time and visit. For now, that's all. I'll come back soon with another one of these types of columns, but hopefully, with more sensible content. :) Anyway, I am also tallying up my ideas for the Palace Awards to come down the pike toward the end of the year. Any ideas and suggestions are welcome by dropping me an email. There are links to email me at my blog.

Before I close, I wish I could see the Raw 15th anniversary tonight, as it sounds like they're really going all out for it. Something tells me, if they did a DVD for Raw X, they'll do one for Raw XV, so I'll get my chance, sooner or later. :)

Click here to go to the Palace Column Blog.

Thanks for reading.