Brawl for All: The WWF’s Disastrous Boxing Event

The WWF’s (now WWE) ‘Brawl for All’ is often remembered as one of the most controversial and ill-conceived events in professional wrestling history. This unique and chaotic competition, held in 1998, deviated from the scripted nature of pro wrestling by introducing unscripted, legitimate fights between wrestlers. The Brawl for All’s inception, the participants, the match results, and its long-lasting aftermath left a significant mark on the wrestling industry, often cited as a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when wrestling tries to merge too closely with real combat sports.

The Origin of Brawl for All

The Brawl for All was born out of an unusual premise. The WWF wanted to capitalize on the popularity of real combat sports, including the rising attention towards MMA and boxing. Vince Russo, then a WWF writer, is often credited with the idea. Russo pitched the concept as a way to determine the “toughest” wrestler on the roster. The idea was that wrestlers would compete in real fights under a set of specific rules, blending boxing with takedown moves.

The competition featured a points-based system where wrestlers could earn points for takedowns, effective punches, and knockdowns, while also having the opportunity to win via knockout. This format was intended to give a sense of unpredictability and authenticity, diverging from the predetermined outcomes of regular wrestling matches. However, the decision to turn wrestling into a legitimate combat sport raised questions about its safety, purpose, and the risk of injury to the participants.

The Participants

The Brawl for All tournament featured a mix of wrestlers with varying degrees of fighting experience. The field included competitors with legitimate fighting backgrounds, others known for their brawling style, and some who were simply looking for a push in their careers. Some of the notable participants included:

• Steve Williams (Dr. Death): A legitimate tough wrestler with a reputation as one of the most feared athletes in pro wrestling. Many expected him to win the tournament.
• Bart Gunn: A former tag team specialist who became the unexpected breakout star of the tournament.
• Bradshaw (John “Bradshaw” Layfield): Known for his tough persona and brawling style, he was considered a favorite.
• The Godfather: A mid-card wrestler known for his charisma rather than his fighting skills.
• Marc Mero: A former boxer, considered a solid contender due to his background.
• Bob Holly, Savio Vega, 8-Ball, and others filled out the bracket.

Notably absent from the tournament were WWF’s top stars, like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and The Undertaker, as the company did not want to risk injuries to their key draws.

Match Results and Key Moments

The Brawl for All matches were held over a series of WWF shows, primarily on episodes of Monday Night Raw. Each boxing match followed a three-round format, with points awarded for takedowns, punches, and knockdowns. Here is a look at some of the key matchups and results:

• Bart Gunn vs. Steve Williams: One of the most pivotal moments in the tournament occurred when Bart Gunn, considered a mid-card wrestler, knocked out Dr. Death Steve Williams in the second round. This was a massive upset, as the WWF had unofficially favored Williams to win the tournament, potentially setting him up for a major push.
• Bart Gunn vs. Bradshaw (Finals): In the finals of the Brawl for All, Bart Gunn faced Bradshaw. Despite Bradshaw’s tough-guy reputation, Bart Gunn knocked him out in the first round, decisively winning the tournament and securing his spot as the unexpected champion of the competition.
• Other Notable Matches:
  • The Godfather had some success in the tournament but was eventually eliminated.
  • Bradshaw reached the finals through his aggressive style and power, but he was ultimately no match for Gunn’s striking ability.

The tournament’s structure led to multiple injuries, with Steve Williams tearing his hamstring and other participants suffering various injuries like concussions and shoulder injuries. The matches, meant to bring excitement and authenticity, often came across as slow, uncoordinated, and lacking the energy of typical WWF programming.

The Winner: Bart Gunn

Bart Gunn’s unexpected victory in the Brawl for All was both a high point and a turning point in his career. Before the tournament, he was primarily known as a tag team wrestler without significant solo accolades. However, his decisive victories over supposedly tougher competitors like Steve Williams and Bradshaw made him the surprise star of the competition.

Yet, Gunn’s win didn’t translate into a significant push within the WWF. Instead, the company seemed unsure of what to do with him afterward. Despite his tournament victory, Bart Gunn’s reward was a match against professional boxer Butterbean at WrestleMania XV. Unlike the Brawl for All matches, this contest was a regular boxing match without takedowns, and Butterbean—a seasoned boxer—quickly knocked out Gunn in 35 seconds. This defeat effectively ended any momentum Gunn had built, and he left the WWF shortly thereafter. “I wish it never happened. It didn’t do anything for me. It wasn’t about building anything; it was just about proving people wrong.” he later commented.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The Brawl for All is widely regarded as a failed experiment. It failed to draw significant ratings, and fans were generally unimpressed with the quality of the fights, which were often slow and awkward compared to the high-energy action they were used to in pro wrestling. Jim Cornette, a former WWF manager and creative team member, was harsh in his criticism: “It was the stupidest thing that the WWF ever did. Who wins in this? Even the guy who wins the tournament, Bart Gunn, it killed him too because he won a tournament that they didn’t want him to win”.

The tournament also generated substantial backstage tension, with many wrestlers questioning the wisdom of allowing unscripted fights in an environment where injuries could derail storylines and careers.

Key aspects of the aftermath include:

• Injuries and Career Setbacks: The Brawl for All led to numerous injuries, with Steve Williams being a prime example. The loss to Bart Gunn and his subsequent injury derailed his WWF run, which had been intended to be a major push. Bradshaw, too, was embarrassed by the outcome but eventually rebounded with a successful solo career years later.
• Damage to Bart Gunn’s Career: Bart Gunn’s victory, followed by his loss to Butterbean, left him without a clear direction in the company. He became a cautionary tale of how winning an unscripted competition in a scripted world doesn’t always lead to career success.
• Criticism from Fans and Industry: Wrestling fans and critics almost universally derided the Brawl for All. It was seen as a misguided attempt to blur the lines between real fighting and pro wrestling, and it didn’t align with what fans wanted from WWF programming. Vince Russo, the event’s creator, has defended the concept but acknowledged its failure to achieve its intended impact.

In retrospect, the Brawl for All is often remembered as an experiment that harmed more than it helped. It inadvertently derailed careers, led to serious injuries, and failed to generate significant fan interest. The tournament’s legacy serves as a reminder that pro wrestling, while influenced by real combat sports, thrives when it sticks to the storytelling, character work, and athletic spectacle that makes it unique.