| abstract | - The time it would take for a normal person to read this entry is about six times as long as the match Hulk Hogan had with Yokozuna for the title at Wrestlemania IX. This is what is called a Squash Match. The squash match is an extremely quick match, where one guy completely wrecks the other. These matches rarely last longer than a minute. Squash matches are usually used to portray the squasher as an unstoppable force. Therefore, The Giant is the most common squasher. There are two main tactics behind a squash match: first, it's a quick and simple way to get monster heels over (i.e. make them popular). By having them mercilessly destroy innocent and weak Face wrestlers, you create a formidable and threatening opponent for your star player to eventually defeat. But on the other side of the spectrum, squash matches can be used to create a monster Face akin to a superhero who overcomes any and all odds set against him. Several of the most famous Face wrestlers have been created with this method: the most notable of which being Hulk Hogan (who was unstoppable once he Hulked Up, and the fans knew it) and Bill Goldberg, who accumulated a 173 match win streak; a number which was slightly inflated by WCW and consisted mostly of squash matches against low-card performers. Another reason for squash matches is simply to establish fans' familiarity with newer wrestlers and their maneuvers, particularly their Finishing Move. This almost entirely disappeared during the Monday Night Wars era. Since then, it has made a very slight comeback. WWE later attempted to use the "Squash everything, lose nothing" method on Brock Lesnar. Due to his sheer intensity, unexpectedly sound mat skills and the managerial skills of Paul Heyman, he was one of the most over stars of the decade in a matter of months. It's worth pointing out that squash matches alone are usually a very poor way of getting a wrestler over. While it is true that if a wrestler never loses, he will inevitably get over with the fans, it usually takes either incredible charisma or superior ring ability to make your mark on the average wrestling fan. Contrast Bill Goldberg - whose sheer intensity during his matches was something truly special to behold - with Chris "The Masterpiece" Masters, who boasted a submission hold that was booked to be unbreakable yet was utterly unremarkable in every other area. Squashes are also part of the reason why WWF lost their lead in the ratings battle with WCW leaving them in a virtual tie. At the time, a typical 2 hour, WWF Monday Night Raw program would consist of 90 minutes of interviews, promos, and hype for the next PPV, about 3-15 minutes worth of 4-5 squash matches, and a 10-15 minute "main event" which was often a squash match or DQ anyway. WCW actually offered quality matches with stars like the Giant (Paul Wight), Rey Mysterio, Jr., the Cruiserweight Division, Sting, Lex Luger, and the Four Horsemen. They also included the TV championship, which would be a 10 minute, time-limit match, that was usually very intense. By the time the WWF figured out what the audience wanted, they were virtually deadlocked in ratings. (Ironically, the match that many fans believed was the downfall of WCW--the Nash-Hogan "Fingerpoke of Doom"--was a Squash Match itself, though an explicitly worked one) Compare Curb Stomp Battle and The Worf Effect. Not to be confused with the racket and ball sport known as squash.
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