An "I Quit" match is a type of professional wrestling submission match in which the only way to win is to make the opponent verbally concede to the referee into a microphone. It is a variation of the submission match as it can only be won by submission, but it is special in that the submission has to take the form of the forfeiting opponent conceding verbally. Generally, whenever a wrestler knocks down their opponent with a move or inflicts a submission move, the opponent will be asked—either by the referee or the opponent—to say the concession into a microphone. "I quit" matches are commonly used to settle (kayfabe) grudges and embarrass rivals since saying "I quit" is usually a sign of admitted inferiority.
History The first "I quit" match was in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)/Jim Crockett Promotions at Starrcade on November 28, 1985. Magnum T. A. defeated Tully Blanchard in a match (with a cage around the ring) for Blanchard's NWA United States Heavyweight Championship. Near the end of that match, Magnum used a piece of wood with a nail in it to pierce Blanchard's forehead. At that point, Blanchard screamed "Yes! Yes!" into the microphone, indicating that he was conceding the match, awarding Magnum the championship.
One of the most famous "I quit" matches took place on January 24, 1999, at the Royal Rumble between The Rock and Mick Foley (as Mankind) in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) for the WWF Championship. The match lasted just over 20 minutes, ending after Foley took eleven unprotected chair shots to the head while his hands were handcuffed behind his back. The Rock eventually won the match, but it was later revealed that Foley was completely unconscious and The Rock had played a tape of Foley's concession announcement over the public address system. The following night on Raw, The Rock's "I quit!" match against Triple H ended when Triple H was extorted into a verbal concession because Kane was about to chokeslam Chyna. John Cena retained his WWE Championship by defeating John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) in an "I quit" match at Judgment Day on May 22, 2005. At Breaking Point on September 13, 2009, Cena defeated his long time rival Randy Orton in an "I quit" match to win the WWE Championship, forcing Orton to verbally concede while he was handcuffed and Cena simultaneously had applied his submission hold, the STF.
"I quit" matches involving women have been rare. At No Mercy on October 19, 2003, there was an intergender match between WWE chairman Vince McMahon and his daughter Stephanie partly under "I quit" rules. However, the match was decided when Stephanie's mother Linda threw in the towel for her daughter, giving Vince the victory. The first "I quit" match between WWE Divas was contested at One Night Stand on June 1, 2008, when Beth Phoenix defeated Melina.
On the May 14, 2009 episode of Impact, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) put on its first "I quit" match, where Booker T defeated Jethro Holiday after an axe kick.
On the May 4, 2016 episode of Lucha Underground, Sexy Star defeated Mariposa in the promotion's first "I quit" match, known in Spanish as a "no mas" ("no more") match.
An "I respect you" match is a variation of the "I quit" match where the winning concession was "I respect you". The first "I respect you" match was held in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) at SuperBrawl VI on February 11, 1996, and pitted Brian Pillman and Kevin Sullivan. At the end of the match, Pillman conceded by saying "I respect you, bookerman!". In doing so, Pillman broke kayfabe as Sullivan was also WCW booker at the time.
One January 17, 2017 episode of WWE 205 Live, Jack Gallagher defeated Ariya Daivari in an "I forfeit" match where that phrase was the conceding phrase.
Matches All Elite Wrestling ParticipantsTitle on the line/StipulationEventDateLocationNotesRefJon Moxley (c) defeated Eddie KingstonAEW World ChampionshipFull GearNovember 7, 2020Jacksonville, FloridaAdam Copeland defeated Christian Cage (c)AEW TNT ChampionshipDynamiteMarch 20, 2024Toronto, Ontario, CanadaDarby Allin defeated Jon MoxleynoneWrestleDreamOctober 18, 2025St. Louis, MissouriCage and Cope (Adam Copeland and Christian Cage) defeated FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (c)AEW World Tag Team ChampionshipDouble or NothingMay 24, 2026Queens, New York
Extreme Championship Wrestling ParticipantsTitle on the line/StipulationEventDateLocationNotesRefTerry Funk defeated Eddie GilbertnoneECW ShowJanuary 23, 1993Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaBilled as an I Quit Texas Death matchTommy Dreamer defeated The SandmannoneECW ShowOctober 1, 1994Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaTommy Dreamer defeated C. W. AndersonnoneGuilty as ChargedJanuary 7, 2001New York, New York
Lucha Underground In the promotion, "I quit" matches are billed as a "No Más Match," with the submission phrase was made in Spanish ("No más"). ParticipantsTitle on the line/StipulationEventDateLocationNotesRefSexy Star defeated MariposaAztec MedallionsLucha Underground(Season 2, Ep 15)December 13, 2015 (taped)May 4, 2016 (aired)Boyle Heights, CaliforniaXO Lishus defeated Jack EvansnoneLucha Underground(Season 4, Ep 12)March 2018 (taped) August 29, 2018 (aired) Downtown Los Angeles, California
Ring of Honor ParticipantsTitle on the line/StipulationEventDateLocationNotesRefAlex Shelley defeated Jimmy JacobsnoneJoe vs. Punk IIOctober 16, 2004Chicago Ridge, IllinoisJimmy Rave defeated Nigel McGuinnessnoneBattle of the IconsJanuary 27, 2007Edison, New JerseyThe referee stopped the match after McGuinness refused to say "I quit" and Rave attempted to break his leg.Austin Aries defeated Jimmy JacobsnoneRising AboveNovember 22, 2008Chicago Ridge, IllinoisColt Cabana defeated Steve CorinononeRichards vs. DanielsOctober 16, 2010Chicago Ridge, IllinoisEthan Page defeated Tony NesenoneFinal BattleDecember 15, 2023Garland, Texas
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling ParticipantsTitle on the line/StipulationEventDateLocationNotesRefBooker T defeated Jethro HollidaynoneImpact!May 14, 2009 (aired)Orlando, FloridaA.J. Styles (c) defeated Booker TTNA Legends ChampionshipSacrificeMay 24, 2009Orlando, FloridaVelvet Sky vs. Angelina Love ended in a no contestnoneImpact!April 6, 2010 (taped)April 12, 2010 (aired)Orlando, FloridaMatch was the result of an open contract won by Sky and was changed from a Leather and Lace match immediately before it started. Love was handcuffed during this match. Match was thrown out after The Beautiful People and Tara interfered.Brian Kendrick defeated Douglas WilliamsnoneImpact!July 15, 2010 (aired)Orlando, FloridaA.J. Styles defeated Tommy DreamernoneNo SurrenderSeptember 5, 2010Orlando, FloridaA.J. Styles defeated Christopher DanielsnoneBound For GloryOctober 16, 2011Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaKurt Angle defeated D'Lo BrownnoneImpact!April 25, 2013 (taped)Orlando, FloridaGunner defeated James StormnoneSacrificeApril 27, 2014Orlando, FloridaMr. Anderson defeated Samuel Shaw noneImpact Wrestling: Hardcore JusticeAugust 5, 2014 (taped)August 21, 2014 (aired)Orlando, FloridaKurt Angle (c) defeated Eric YoungTNA World Heavyweight ChampionshipImpact!May 29, 2015 (aired)Orlando, FloridaJeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy ended in a no contestnoneImpact!April 19, 2016 (aired)Orlando, FloridaMatch ended after neither man could continueWillie Mack defeated MoosenoneGenesisJanuary 9, 2021Nashville, TennesseeMike Santana defeated Josh AlexandernoneGenesisJanuary 19, 2025Garland, Texas
World Championship Wrestling ParticipantsTitle on the line/StipulationEventDateLocationNotesRefThe Taskmaster defeated Brian PillmannoneSuperBrawl VIFebruary 11, 1996St. Petersburg, FloridaThis was an "I Respect You" Strap match.Goldberg defeated Sid ViciousnoneMayhemNovember 21, 1999Toronto, Ontario, CanadaRoddy Piper defeated Creative Control (Gerald and Patrick)noneNitroDecember 6, 1999Milwaukee, WisconsinThis was a Handicap "I quit" match.David Flair defeated Terry FunknoneNitroFebruary 7, 2000Tulsa, OklahomaDustin Rhodes defeated Terry FunknoneUncensoredMarch 19, 2000Miami, FloridaThis was a Bullrope Match.Norman Smiley (c) defeated M.I. SmoothWCW Hardcore ChampionshipThunderAugust 22, 2000 (taped)August 23, 2000 (aired)Tulsa, Oklahoma
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment ParticipantsTitle on the line/StipulationEventDateLocationNotesRefBret Hart defeated Bob BacklundnoneWrestleMania XIApril 2, 1995Hartford, ConnecticutGuest referee Roddy Piper ended the match though Backlund uttered the words "I quit" only incompletelyStone Cold Steve Austin defeated Ken ShamrocknoneRaw Is WarOctober 26, 1998Madison, Wisconsin Austin used the unconscious Shamrock's hands to signal a tap out submission.The Rock defeated Mankind (c)WWF ChampionshipRoyal RumbleJanuary 24, 1999Anaheim, CaliforniaMankind did not say "I quit", instead an earlier recording of Mankind saying the phrase was played over the PA system while Mankind laid unconscious in the entrance. The Rock was still awarded the victory.The Rock (c) defeated Triple HWWF ChampionshipRaw Is WarJanuary 25, 1999Phoenix, ArizonaMr. McMahon defeated Stephanie McMahonLoser had to leave their position Vince McMahon - WWE Chairman