The top 5 most popular betting types within WWE
I remember when the mere suggestion of betting on wrestling would’ve had eyes rolling. If you grew up during the time I did, when online betting wasn’t a thing, you’ll have the same memories I do, such as recording wrestling events on a VHS and playing games like Smackdown vs Raw on the PlayStation 1. It was a very different time. In 2024, nothing in the sports world happens without the all-seeing influence of mobile and digital devices.
Those not involved in wrestling, or those with only a passing interest in betting, can become cynical about the viability of these markets. True, they don’t have the same random outcomes that can make professional sports such captivating and intriguing betting markets.
Still, the fact remains that there are hundreds of quirky betting markets in the digital age – and many have pre-determined outcomes. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the current betting favorite for James Bond, but many people within the film industry already know who will be next. Does this stop people from betting on it or calling it a pre-determined market? No. The same attitude, in theory, should apply to WWE betting – and there’s a reason it’s growing in popularity.
Moneyline/match betting
Moneyline markets see the most activity because they’re the simplest to comprehend – it’s a straight shootout and you’re picking the winner of the match. A moneyline is what we call a straight bet. You’re betting on the match’s outcome. Different types of betting and their meaning often stem from their mechanics. However, once we drill into the definitions and their origins, it becomes relatively easy to commit them to memory.
For instance, a moneyline bet is displayed as a multiple of a $100 bet, so a +200 bet on Gunther to win against Damian Priest could return a profit of $200. In European markets, decimal and fractional odds are more prevalent in betting markets; in the US, it’s moneyline.
Event outrights
Some prominent events on the wrestling calendar, such as SummerSlam and WrestleMania, draw the most significant audience figures. They make up two of the big five in the WWE; the other three are:
- Survivor Series
- Money in the Bank
- Royal Rumble
Like other sports, more eyeballs on an event often correlate to more betting market activity. WWE’s recent partnership with Netflix highlights just how much scope there is and the global potential viewing figures.
Fans were ecstatic to see The Rock and John Cena in the ring at WrestleMania in 2024. It sent social media into a frenzy and provided a tidal wave of nostalgia for wrestling fans who grew up watching these icons. It also highlights the market size when the organization gets it right.
WWE outright betting markets relate specifically to events with multiple potential winners instead of just a straight-up, one vs one match. The Royal Rumble is an excellent example of this. Since multiple competitors face off against each other in one event, a bet on one wrestler to be the last person standing would constitute an outright bet – which can also be referred to as either an Iron Man or Iron Woman bet, depending on the WWE betting platform you use.
Method of victory
One of the more straightforward markets, the method of victory market covers the majority of winning methods. The four main methods of victory are disqualification, pin, knockout or submission. For instance, if you had bet on Cory Rhodes to beat Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam via DQ, your bet wouldn’t have succeeded, given that he won the match via pin.
Parlay
A parlay or multi-bet involves combining several outcomes to multiply the potential winning amount – each selection on the accumulator, or parlay, as it’s often referred to in US markets. Parlay bets in wrestling often cover several matches across one of the landmark days in the calendar, such as betting on several winners across SummerSlam or WrestleMania.
Surprise appearance
Although the WWE is a multibillion dollar-organization, it has nowhere near the same number of other betting markets as soccer or American football. Subsidiary markets such as surprise appearances are more popular due to their random and one-off nature. Over the last decade, the Rock has had a cluster of electrifying surprise appearances, which is just one example of what fuels this budding market.
Other WWE betting terminology
Veering away from the most popular WWE betting types, several betting terms to remember are specific to pro wrestling. We have already touched on one earlier – the Iron Man and Iron Woman term – but there’s also the Main Event, which is the final match on the card, and premium live events, which is usually another term for a PPV event. There’s also Battle Royal, which usually files into the outright category but with only one method of victory – elimination.
Final thoughts
Until the internet opened up the digital doors for several different sports betting markets, the idea that WWE betting could become a flourishing part of the industry was something few thought possible.
Sure, the audience numbers are there, and the fanbase is just as passionate as with any professional sport. However, the pre-determined, scripted nature of the match outcomes meant it was almost impossible to keep the markets as balanced as professional sports like soccer or the NFL with arbitrary outcomes. Wrestling fans have shown they’ll bet on their favorite stars, and as long as the WWE can plug the leaks when information does get out, it’ll remain a viable betting market.
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