5 Iconic Match Types AEW Should Include in Fight Forever
Fans crave a roster of classic wrestling matches not yet seen in AEW Fight Forever From intense Handicap and Steel Cage Matches to thrilling Tornado Tag and Iron Man Matches, and even Hardcore Matches with Backstage Brawls, there's an undeniable demand for these exciting showdowns
Article Key Points
AEW Fight Forever received mixed reviews, with some praising its simplistic mechanics but others criticizing its outdated elements and missing match types.
Fans have expressed their desire to see match types such as the Handicap Match and Steel Cage Match included in AEW Fight Forever. These match types, commonly found in wrestling games, are currently not available in the game.
Although AEW Fight Forever offers multi-man tag matches, players are unable to engage in Tornado Tag matches, which restricts their ability to replicate their cherished AEW moments. Additionally, the inclusion of Iron Man matches and backstage brawls would be highly welcomed by fans.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is currently considered the second-largest wrestling promotion, trailing just behind WWE. Despite being in the industry for almost four years, AEW recently launched their first-ever video game called AEW Fight Forever. The game offers popular features like create-a-wrestler and a story mode named Road to Elite, alongside exclusive AEW matches like Stadium Stampede.
When AEW Fight Forever was released in June, it garnered a mixed response from wrestling fans. While some gamers appreciated its simplistic wrestling mechanics, reminiscent of the popular WWF No Mercy game, others criticized the game for its outdated aspects, including the roster and graphics. One notable flaw was the absence of certain classic match types, which fans hope will be added in future updates.
#1 Handicap Match
AEW WrestleDream (2023) | Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. The Righteous for the ROH World Tag Team Championships |
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AEW Dynamite: Road to Rager (2022) | Wardlow vs. 20 "Plaintiffs" in a handicap eliminator match |
WWE WrestleMania 20 (2004) | Rock 'n' Sock Connection (The Rock & Mick Foley) vs. Evolution (Ric Flair, Randy Orton, & Batista) |
In pro wrestling, a Handicap Match typically involves one wrestler facing off against two allied wrestlers or, in some cases, two wrestlers taking on three opponents. This match type is commonly seen in various wrestling promotions, including AEW. At AEW WrestleDream, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, popularly known as MJF, successfully defended the Ring of Honor (ROH) World Tag Team Championships in a handicap match against The Righteous.
#2 Steel Cage Match
Handicap Matches are a feature present in AEW Fight Forever's Road to Elite, but unfortunately, they are not included in Arcade Mode. This means that players do not have the ability to replicate their preferred handicap matches from AEW at their convenience.
AEW Blood & Guts (2023) | Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta), Konosuke Takeshita, & Pac vs. The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, "Hangman" Adam Page, The Young Bucks, and Kota Ibushi) in a Blood & Guts match |
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AEW Dynamite (2020) | Cody Rhodes vs. Wardlow |
WWE Smackdown (2020) | Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Universal Championship |
AEW is familiar with Steel Cage Matches. In the traditional format, wrestlers must either pin their opponent, make them tap out, or escape the cage to secure victory. AEW has taken this concept further by introducing unique variations such as the MMA Rules Match and Blood & Guts, which serves as their response to WWE's War Games.
The inclusion of a Steel Cage Match mode in AEW Fight Forever has been highly requested by fans. Many wrestling games, including WWE 2K and WrestleQuest, feature this mode, leading to confusion among players regarding its absence in AEW.
#3 Tornado Tag Match
AEW Dynamite (2023) | Darby Allin & Sting vs. Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara |
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WWE Hell in a Cell (2009) | D-Generation X (Triple H & Shawn Michaels) vs. The Legacy (Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr.) |
WWE RAW (1998) | The Undertaker & Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Mankind & Kane |
A Tornado Tag match is a type of tag team match where wrestlers are not required to tag their partners. Instead, they simultaneously face their opponents in the ring. AEW showcased a thrilling Tornado Tag match on AEW Dynamite last June, featuring Darby Allin and Sting taking on Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara.
Unfortunately, AEW Fight Forever does not currently offer a Tornado Tag match, even though it has multi-man tag matches. Setting up personal Tornado Tag matches could pose a challenge for players since only the legal wrestlers are able to perform a pin or submission.
#4 Iron Man Match
AEW Revolution (2023) | Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Championship |
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NXT TakeOver: Respect (2015) | Sasha Banks vs. Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship |
WWE WrestleMania 12 (1996) | Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Championship |
In an Iron Man Match, wrestlers aim to secure the highest number of pin falls or submissions against their opponent within a specific time frame. A noteworthy example of this intense match type occurred during AEW Revolution last May, showcasing an exceptional showdown between MJF and Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Championship. Notably, this match permits wrestlers to utilize any means necessary, as no disqualifications are enforced.
Interestingly, AEW Fight Forever, known for its assortment of weapons, did not feature the traditional Iron Man Match in its time-based lineup. Nevertheless, it presents an ideal opportunity to incorporate this gripping contest alongside their existing explosive Barbed Wire Death Match, where a detonation occurs in the ring after a designated time interval.
#5 Hardcore Match with Backstage Brawl
WWE Extreme Rules (2014) | Kane vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship |
|---|---|
WWE WrestleMania 18 (2002) | Maven vs. Goldust for the WWF Hardcore Championship |
WWE WrestleMania 17 (2001) | Kane vs. Raven vs. Big Show for the WWF Hardcore Championship |
AEW Fight Forever features an array of gripping hardcore matches, including the intense Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match, the thrilling Lights Out Match, and the iconic Falls Count Anywhere bout. However, one distinctive element that seems to be lacking is the opportunity to engage in a fierce backstage brawl amidst a hardcore contest. This limitation stems from the absence of an option to transition to the backstage area in the midst of a match.
In the world of WWE 2K, players are presented with the opportunity to engage with various backstage elements during any hardcore match. This has led passionate genre enthusiasts to question why AEW Fight Forever does not grant wrestlers access to the backstage area. The inclusion of a backstage area could undoubtedly offer a refreshing change of environment for intense hardcore matches, particularly in the context of a Falls Count Anywhere scenario.
AEW Fight Forever
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
Release Date: June 29, 2023
Developer: Yuke's
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Genre: Wrestling
Metascore: 64
Split Screen Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen)
Number of Players: 1-2
Editor's P/S
As a long-time wrestling fan, I'm excited about the potential for AEW Fight Forever to include more classic match types in future updates. Handicap Matches, Steel Cage Matches, Tornado Tag Matches, Iron Man Matches, and Hardcore Matches with Backstage Brawls are all fan favorites that would add a lot to the game.
I'm particularly interested in seeing how AEW Fight Forever would handle Tornado Tag Matches and Iron Man Matches. Tornado Tag Matches are a chaotic and unpredictable, and they would be a lot of fun to play in the game. Iron Man Matches are a test of endurance and strategy, and they would be a great way to showcase the skills of the AEW roster.
I'm also excited about the potential for Hardcore Matches with Backstage Brawls. These matches are always a lot of fun to watch, and they would be even more fun to play in the game. I can't wait to see what AEW Fight Forever has in store for us in the future.
