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While the majority of WWE matches are decided by pinfall or submission, it is not uncommon for WWE to book two Superstars in unique contests to whet the appetite for a future in-ring encounter.
For example, before Lacey Evans and Naomi fought on WWE SmackDown in July 2020, they competed in a much-criticized Karaoke Showdown segment to set up their one-on-one match.
In some cases, particularly when Superstars have impressive physiques or athletic backgrounds, WWE has been known to book scripted arm wrestling matches to find out who, in storyline, has the most strength out of the two competitors.
With that in mind, let’s take a look back at 10 Arm Wrestling matches that have taken place in WWE, as well as the winners and losers of the contests.
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#10 Triple H vs. Scott Steiner (WWE RAW)
Triple H retained his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Scott Steiner in early 2003 at the Royal Rumble and No Way Out pay-per-views.
In December 2002, the storyline began with the two men competing in a series of test-of-strength segments on WWE RAW.
As you can see from the 02:44 mark of the video above, one of those segments saw a composed Steiner easily defeat Triple H in comical fashion in an Arm Wrestling match.
Winner: Scott Steiner
#9 Bayley vs. Dana Brooke (WWE RAW)
Although Bayley went on to establish herself as one of the most prominent female Superstars in WWE, she initially struggled to make an impression in a RAW women’s division that was dominated by Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks.
In October 2016, the former WWE NXT Women’s Champion was due to face Dana Brooke in a regular match on RAW. However, in a segment that was poorly received by fans, the one-on-one encounter became an Arm Wrestling match.
Using their right arms, Brooke quickly defeated Bayley, who had an injured right shoulder at the time. When they used their left arms, it looked as though Bayley was going to get the win before Brooke began to attack her.
The WWE Universe did not like this segment, to say the least, and they chanted “Boring! Boring!” during the contest.
Winner: Draw
#8 Mr. America vs. Vince McMahon (WWE SmackDown)
In 2003, Hulk Hogan portrayed the Mr. America character on WWE SmackDown following his victory over Vince McMahon in a Street Fight at WrestleMania XIX.
The storyline led to an Arm Wrestling contest on an episode of SmackDown, with the stipulation stating that Mr. America had to leave the premises if he lost.
McMahon’s assistant, Sable, accused Mr. America of cheating when both competitors used their left arms, so they had a rematch with their right arms. Once again, Sable caused a distraction, this time by flashing Mr. America, and McMahon was able to pick up a surprising victory.
Moments later, McMahon won another Arm Wrestling match against one-legged wrestler Zach Gowen after the referee failed to spot that the WWE Chairman kicked the rookie’s leg under the table.
Winner: Vince McMahon
#7 Torrie Wilson vs. Trish Stratus (WWE SmackDown)
The 2001 Invasion pay-per-view featured matches between WWE and WCW stars, including Lita & Trish Stratus vs. Stacy Keibler & Torrie Wilson and WWE referee Earl Hebner vs. WCW referee Nick Patrick.
Shortly before the event, Wilson and Stratus went one-on-one in an Arm Wrestling match on WWE SmackDown. Of course, with both referees also present, this was destined to end in controversial circumstances.
It looked as though Stratus would pick up the victory before Patrick hit Hebner with a cheap shot, allowing Keibler to help Wilson win the contest.
Winner: Torrie Wilson
#6 Triple H vs. The Great Khali (WWE SmackDown)
Two weeks before Triple H retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against The Great Khali at SummerSlam 2008, the two Superstars battled it out in an Indian broken glass Arm Wrestling match on WWE SmackDown.
Unlike a regular Arm Wrestling match, the stipulation meant that the loser would have their hand crushed against sharp pieces of broken glass on the table.
As is often the case with these WWE contests, the babyface – Triple H, on this occasion – won the match, but only after The Great Khali caused a disqualification by attacking his rival when he looked set to lose.
Winner: Triple H
#5 Bobby Lashley vs. Braun Strowman (WWE RAW)
Braun Strowman defeated Bobby Lashley in a Last Man Standing match at WWE Extreme Rules 2019 to bring an end to a rivalry that saw the two men compete in various physical challenges on WWE RAW.
One of the most memorable segments from the storyline came when Strowman defeated Lashley fair and square in an Arm Wrestling match. The video, which you can check out above, has amassed 85.8 million views in 14 months, making it one of the most-watched videos in the history of WWE’s YouTube channel.
Winner: Braun Strowman
#4 Kane vs. Mark Henry (WWE RAW)
Given that Mark Henry was legitimately the world’s strongest man at one stage, it should come as no surprise that the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion has competed in more Arm Wrestling matches than anybody else on WWE television.
In June 2011, around the time of his Hall of Pain run, Henry looked likely to lose an Arm Wrestling match against Kane on WWE RAW, so he brought an early end to the contest by attacking his seven-foot rival.
Technically, Kane won the match, but Henry had the last laugh by sending his opponent through the announce desk at ringside.
Winner: Kane
#3 Mark Henry vs. Sheamus (WWE SmackDown)
In May 2013, Sheamus lost an Arm Wrestling match against the villainous Mark Henry on an episode of WWE SmackDown.
Sheamus, a good guy at the time, challenged Henry to a rematch, this time using their left arms instead. However, it soon became clear that the Irishman never intended to compete in the contest, as he punched his rival and followed up with a Brogue Kick.
Winner: Mark Henry
#2 Cesaro vs. Mark Henry (WWE Main Event)
Nowadays, WWE Main Event is a show that focuses on Superstars who do not appear regularly on television. However, it was a different story between 2012-2014, with Superstars including The Undertaker, Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt occasionally appearing on the show.
In May 2014, Cesaro and Mark Henry were scheduled to have a one-on-one match on Main Event. Then, just when the match was set to begin, Paul Heyman – Cesaro’s advocate at the time – decided that they should have an Arm Wrestling match instead.
The contest, which took place at the announce desk, came to an abrupt end when Heyman stepped in to prevent Henry from winning, leading to an attack from Cesaro.
Heyman then dubiously declared that his client was the winner of the match.
Winner: Cesaro
#1 John Cena vs. Mark Henry (WWE RAW)
Although Mark Henry is nicknamed The World’s Strongest Man, many WWE Superstars have mentioned in media interviews that John Cena is one of the strongest people they have ever shared the ring with.
In February 2008, both Superstars’ strength was put to the test when they battled it out in an Arm Wrestling contest on WWE RAW.
Unfortunately, just as Cena looked set to win, Randy Orton attacked him from out of nowhere to cause a disqualification. Cena fought back, sending his rival out of the ring, before following up with an impressive Attitude Adjustment on Henry.
Winner: John Cena
