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WWF Brawl for All

The Brawl For All rules.

The WWF Brawl for All was a shootfighting tournament held in the World Wrestling Federation that lasted from June 29, 1998 to August 24, 1998.

Inception[]

Throughout 1998, the WWF experienced a growth in roster size but due to limited amount of TV time a number of their more genuine "tough guys" were left without much to do. As a result, the idea for a legit tough guy tournament was bandied about as a way to both utilize some of these men and capitalize on the recent interest in Toughman Contests around the country.

It is highly rumored that the idea developed as a way to push "Dr. Death" Steve Williams as a genuine tough guy. Williams was a successful wrestler in the NWA and early 1990s WCW, but might not have been well known to newer WWF fans in the Attitude Era.

Participation in the tournament was strictly voluntary.

Rules[]

Each match consisted of three one-minute rounds. Whichever wrestler connected with the most punches per round scored 5 points. In addition, a "clean" takedown scored 5 points and a knockdown was worth 10. If a wrestler was knocked out (decided by an eight-count rather than a ten-count), the match ended. The matches were scored by ringside judges including Gorilla Monsoon.

Reception[]

WWF audiences grew impatient with the relatively complicated rules, lack of explosive kayfabe-style finishes and generally slower action (in the first week, crowds chanted, "We want wrestling").

The tournament also resulted in a number of legitimate injuries -- Steve Blackman and Road Warrior Hawk were unable to work in usual WWF capacities for a while after. Savio Vega aggravated an old arm injury and would never work for WWF again.

UFC veteran Dan "The Beast" Severn withdrew from the tournament, stating he had nothing to prove

Aftermath[]

WWF management's favorite, "Doctor Death" Steve Williams, got knocked out by Bart Gunn in the third round of his match, which lessened the tough-guy mystique being built for his character, effectively ending his push.

Bart Gunn defeated Bradshaw by TKO on the August 24, 1998 episode of Raw is War to win the tournament and $75,000. Bradshaw received $25,000. During this bout, Shawn Michaels provided guest commentary alongside Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross.

A follow-up to the tournament had the winner, Bart Gunn, matched against pro boxer Eric "Butterbean" Esch at WrestleMania XV. Gunn was knocked out approximately 30 seconds into the bout and soon after was out of the WWF. Though Gunn's legitimate knockout of Williams did not bring him success in the WWF, he was seen with great mystique in Japan where Williams is highly regarded. He tours the independent circuit and Japan under the name Mike Barton.

Brawl for All tournament bracket[]

KO - knockout; TKO - technical knockout; Pts - points; Dec - referee's/judge's decision

  First round Second round Semifinals Finals
                                     
RAW  Steve Blackman Dec  
6/29  Marc Mero  
  RAW  Marc Mero  
  8/10  Bradshaw Pts  
RAW  Mark Canterbury
6/29  Bradshaw Pts  
  RAW  Bradshaw Pts  
  8/17  Darren "Droz" Drozdov  
RAW  Brakkus  
7/6  Savio Vega Pts  
  RAW  Savio Vega
  8/10  Darren "Droz" Drozdov Pts  
RAW  Darren "Droz" Drozdov Draw
7/6  Road Warrior Hawk Draw  
  RAW  Bradshaw
  8/24  Bart Gunn TKO
RAW  Bart Gunn Dec  
7/13  Bob Holly  
  RAW  Bart Gunn KO
  7/27  Steve Williams  
RAW  Quebecer Pierre
7/20  Steve Williams TKO  
  RAW  Bart Gunn KO
  8/17  The Godfather  
RAW  The Godfather  
7/13  Dan Severn Pts  
  RAW  The Godfather Pts
  8/3  Scorpio  
RAW  8-Ball
7/20  Scorpio Pts  

NOTE: Steve Blackman defeated Marc Mero but was unable to compete in the next round, permitting re-entry into the tournament for Mero.

See also[]


World Wrestling Entertainment Tournaments
King of the Ring
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Queen's Crown/Queen of the Ring
Queen's Crown 2021Queen of the Ring 2024
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournaments
Mens

20152016201820192020202120222024

Women's

20212022

Other

1985 The Wrestling Classic1986 Sam Muchnick MemorialFrank Tunney Sr. Memorial Tag Team1990 WWF Intercontinental Championship1993 WWF Women's Championship1998 WWE Championship Tournament1995 WWF World Tag Team Championship1996 WWF World Tag Team Championship1996 Kuwaiti Cup1996 WWF Intercontinental ChampionshipMiddle East Cup1997 WWF Intercontinental Championship1997 WWF World Tag Team Championship1997 WWF Light Heavyweight Championship1997 WWF European Championship1997 Kuwaiti Cup1998 WWF Championship1998 WWF Intercontinental Championship1998 Brawl For All2002 WWE Tag Team Championship2003 WWE Championship #1 contenders2003 WWE United States Championship2005 Gold Rush Tournament2005 WWE Championship #1 Contenders2005 WWE Championship #1 Contenders2005 WWE Championship #1 Contenders2006 WWE Championship #1 Contenders2006 WWE Women's Championship2008 Intercontinental Championship TournamentIntercontinental Championship Tournament 20102010 WWE Divas Championship2011 WWE Championship2012 WWE NXT Championship Tournament2012 WWE Tag Team Championship2013 NXT Women's Championship2014 Intercontinental Championship Tournament2014 NXT Women's Championship TournamentThe Wrestling ClassicNXT Tag Team Championship 20132014 NXT Tag Team Contender's Tournament2015 NXT Championship Contender's Tournament2016 WWE Tag Team ChampionshipWWE Cruiserweight Classic 20162016 Smackdown Tag Team Championship2017 United Kingdom Championship TournamentWWE Mae Young Classic 20172017-18 United States Championship Tournament2018 WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament2018 WWE UK Championship Invitational Tournament2018 NXT North American Invitational Tournament2018 NXT Tag Team Invitational Tournament2018 NXT Women’s Invitational Tournament2018 WWE Tag Team Eliminator2018 United Kingdom Championship TournamentSmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament 2018Mae Young Classic 2018WWE United Kingdom Women's Championship Tournament 2018SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament 2018World Cup Tournament 2018NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament 2020Intercontinental Championship Tournament 2020NXT Breakout Tournament 20212022 NXT Women's Breakout Tournament2022 WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament2022 NXT UK Championship TournamentWWE SmackDown World Cup Tournament 2022WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contenders Tournament 2023World Heavyweight Championship Tournament 2023NXT Women's Championship Tournament 20232023 NXT Women's Breakout Tournament2023 NXT Men's Breakout TournamentWWE United States Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament 2023-2024

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