Great pro wrestling storylines have led to the creation of dozens of unforgettable and often ridiculous stipulation matches.

It seems like we've seen everything at this point. It's difficult to concoct an original match type that isn't derivative or a bit too silly these days because the best ideas have longevity.

WWE's reliance on time-tested concepts and a library full of legendary moments is part of its formula for success. In turn, a relatively new company like AEW has to take more risks to differentiate itself from its formidable competition.

Of course, this allowed for creative choices and innovations that worked, like the Stadium Stampede or the Casino Ladder match. Conversely, it also yielded a humbling disaster, like the finish of the company's first Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch.

They can't all be winners, right? With that in mind, let's rank the ten most entertaining gimmick matches in AEW and WWE today.

10. Elimination Chamber

In 2002, Eric Bischoff introduced the Elimination Chamber ahead of Survivor Series as the event's World Heavyweight Championship match.

The imposing structure has since become one of the company's most inventive and brutal stipulation matches. WWE brilliantly combined elements from some of the most iconic gimmick matches of all time into this overwhelming monstrosity, creating one of its prominent annual traditions.

Although it has been hard to outdo the first iteration, the event has given us many memorable moments and its share of over-the-top violence. Watching someone get thrown through an empty pod or raked against its unforgiven chain fences never quite gets old.

Last year's men's Elimination Chamber match was the best in recent memory, proving that the gimmick could still produce a convincing showcase of current talent.

9. Iron Man

The Iron Man match has stood the test of time as an excellent display of pro wrestling storytelling and the drama of competitive sports.

Sure, this match type has given us several long and drawn-out encounters that overstayed their welcome. However, the stipulation has also set the stage for influential matches like Sasha Banks vs. Bayley from NXT TakeOver: Respect in 2015 or Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle from the Sept. 18, 2003 episode of SmackDown.

Kenny Omega vs. PAC from the Feb. 16, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite is also widely considered one of All Elite Wrestling's formative television matches during its maiden year. MJF and Bryan Danielson upped the ante with their instant classic from Revolution 2023.

8. Dog Collar

The Dog Collar match has become a staple for AEW since Cody Rhodes' epic encounter with Brodie Lee for the TNT Championship.

Lee's last match before his untimely passing in 2020 was truly a highlight of his brief stint with the company. It helped to elevate the TNT title as a catalyst for excellent TV matches and endures as one of the lasting memories from Rhodes' early run with All Elite Wrestling.

CM Punk and MJF concluded their 2022 feud at Revolution with the best Dog Collar match to date. Well, that was until FTR and The Briscoes exceeded expectations with the third installment of their trilogy at Final Battle later that year.

7. Two Out Of Three Falls

Viewers who may not enjoy plotting Iron Man matches could lob similar complaints at two out of three fall matches.

Nevertheless, the gimmick has allowed the best and brightest to create magic in the squared circle. Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano put together two exceptional examples during their NXT rivalry and Bryan Danielson and Daniel Garcia delivered a masterpiece during the Aug. 17, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite.

FTR has also excelled with this stipulation throughout their career. As The Revival, they produced a masterclass with DIY at NXT TakerOver: Toronto in 2016. Later, the duo created another classic with The Briscoes at Death Before Dishonor in 2022, and their standout performance versus Jay White and Juice Robinson was possibly the best tag team match of 2023.

6. War Games

This brainchild of the late Dusty Rhodes was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but it rose to prominence again in 2017.

WWE never quite recaptured the spirit of the original concept, but newer fans rightfully look forward to the spectacle every year. To that end, War Games became a great addition to NXT TakeOver during the black and gold era.

The specialized steel cage match has also been the centerpiece of Survivor Series since Triple H introduced a more story-driven approach to the premium live event in 2022. This has been a welcomed change of direction for the final "big four PPV" of the year.

AEW also does its version of the gimmick during its annual Blood & Guts edition of Dynamite. This year's iteration showcased some of its best in-ring storytelling since its inception along with its trademark violence.

5. Money in the Bank

The Money in the Bank ladder match started as a high point of WrestleMania weekend in 2005.

Early on, superstars like Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston created a legacy as human highlight reels during the muti-man clash for its titular briefcase. The subsequent cash-in has also created once-in-a-lifetime moments for multiple lucky winners.

Money in the Bank eventually became a premium live event, with two respective ladder matches featuring six men and six women. Every year, it seems to spark discourse online about whether the event is still necessary or if the contract has been used well.

Nonetheless, it's still one of the most exciting and unpredictable events of the year. It still evokes nostalgia for longtime fans and generates a fun communal viewing experience similar to another iconic stipulation match that topped this list.

4. Anarchy in the Arena

Anarchy in the Arena has quickly developed into one of the best live experiences AEW has to offer.

Since its inception, the company has tried several gimmicks, but this outrageous display of violence and campy pro wrestling tropes is among the most consistent. A staple at Double of Nothing since 2022, it perfectly fits the ongoing partygoer vibe in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Anarchy in the Arena combines the inherent excitement surrounding a falls count anywhere match with the unpredictability and interactive experience most of us would expect from independent wrestling. It essentially sums up the initial appeal of AEW for many day-one fans.

This gimmick match is utter chaos that doesn't take itself too seriously and encourages its audience to forget what they think is possible and just come along for the ride.

3. Texas Deathmatch

The Texas Deathmatch has grown synonymous with AEW thanks to a handful of highly entertaining pay-per-view matches and bitter rivalries.

Jon Moxley initially recreated his vicious encounter with Lance Archer from NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 at Fyter Fest in 2021. However, Adam Page has effectively made it his signature match type over the last two years.

His AEW World Championship match against Archer from the Feb. 9, 2022 episode of Dynamite and his underrated gem with Moxley from Revolution 2023 were both tremendous. Still, nothing could possibly top the unimaginable brutality and palpable tension from his critically acclaimed Texas Deathmatch versus Swerve Strickland from Full Gear last fall.

2. Hell in a Cell

Hell in a Cell remains one of the most revered gimmick matches in pro wrestling history.

The stunning visual of The Undertaker throwing Mick Foley off the top of the demonic structure in 1998 is legendary. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the two men have been involved in many of the best uses of this stipulation match.

In recent years, Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair have also made a name for themselves as the first women to compete inside the cell. Frankly, The Legit Boss has cemented her place among the top superstars to enter the structure with two even better matches with Becky Lynch in 2019 and Bayley in 2020.

Seth Rollins also delivered one of the best modern Hell in a Cell matches with Edge at Crown Jewel 2021. Nevertheless, WWE discontinued the titular PLE after Cody Rhodes went the distance against Rollins in an all-time great showing in 2022.

1. Royal Rumble

The Royal Rumble match is the greatest gimmick match in all of pro wrestling.

It's impossible to duplicate or understate its significance to WWE or the sheer excitement surrounding the annual event. For many longtime and casual wrestling fans, it's the most anticipated occasion of the year.

Pat Patterson's creation melds the entertaining disarray of a battle royal with the crowd participation of a game show. It's fun to try to predict who will show up next and even more satisfying to watch the eventual winner survive the odds to punch their ticket to WrestleMania.

The introduction of the women's Royal Rumble match in 2018 gave viewers even more to look forward to every January. This match has led to many great moments like Becky Lynch's win in 2019 or Edge's return to wrestling the following year.

Cody Rhodes' back-to-back wins in the last two matches will undoubtedly go down in history. At the event, it often feels like anything can happen and that's when pro wrestling is at its best.