Unsanctioned Matches

An unsanctioned match in pro wrestling is a match that the promotion claims is not officially approved by management. In storyline terms, that usually means the company says it will not take responsibility for what happens. The idea is that the wrestlers want the match so badly, or the rivalry has gotten so personal, that it goes forward outside the normal rules of the promotion. It is still presented to the audience as part of the show, but within the story, the promotion treats it as unofficial. That often gives the match a more violent, chaotic, or personal feel than a standard match.