The Rematch Clause
 

When did they start using "rematch' clauses" in angles with a champion losing a title? It needs to be dropped, seriously.

I believe they should be given one rematch, and if they lost, they should go to the back of the line.

I think sometime in the Attitude Era most likely. Probably had its origins with Vince wanting the title off of Austin or somebody, so being an evil corporate guy, he put a rematch clause in the heel's contract.


Then from there, they just got tired of making people earn title matches or building up a story, so they just made rematch clauses default for everybody.

That makes sense in a legitimate sport such as boxing, but not in pro wrestling. Things get stale really quickly in this business, and the "rematch clause" only makes it easier to do so.

It's a good clause. If you have a problem with things getting stale, that's on the writing. It can be done well and it can be done poorly.

Well: Del Rio's rematch against Punk on Raw last week.

Poorly: "I have a rematch clause and because of that we will have another match at the next PPV"

Like CSL said, there's a lot TV time to fill. And that's a good way to do it.

It's also a good way to get a heel champion over, by claiming that he won't sign a contract with a rematch clause...... would be perfect for Cawdy or Mr. Ziggles should they ever get the chance.....

Line which is defined by the Championship Committee that Mike Tenay is always talking about.

"The WCW championship committee really has their eyes on this match between Roadblock and Supercalo

Recently they did the deal where there was no rematch clause..I laughed.

RVD was the first person to ever have a rematch clause in his contract and got a rematch against Benoit at Summerslam 2002 for the I.C. title. Coincidentally enough, RVD did not receive a rematch when he lost the WWE title to Edge in 2006

I like the rematch clause, and I'd actually like to see more champions WIN their rematches. As it stands, it's almost a given that the new champion will retain during the rematch.

Doesn't boxing have a rematch clause and didn't a lot of the original "rules" of wrestling come from boxing?

No. Now go away.

13/09/99 was the first time I've heard it used for the world title, watching from 1997 to that time. Linda said Stone Cold had a contractual obligation to have a rematch.

The Smackdown before that, Undertaker said he and Big Show had a right to a return match to regain the tag titles from Rock and Sock.