elimination match
Lose once, done
An elimination match is a contest where the loser is removed from a tournament or competition.
Common in wrestling, boxing, and other sports with bracket-style formats: The semifinal was an elimination match—whoever lost went home.
The stakes are binary: win and advance, or lose and you're out.
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- bracketSupport or category
- sudden deathInstant-win tiebreaker format
- do or dieRequiring total commitment
sudden death overtime · showdown · final · semifinal · quarterfinal · loser · winner · advance · survive · one and done · bout · fight card · battle royale · round · champion · title shot · defeated · contender
- matchesmatchstick, matchbox, matchbook, matchhead, wooden sticks
- combatbattle, fight, combat, unarmed combat, grappling
- Pro Wrestlingheel, WrestleMania, face turn, Royal Rumble, kayfabe
- battle royalebattle royale, Fortnite, last man standing, winner, solo
tournament format structure
elimination matchround-robin
Format ensuring universal matchups
league match · league game · friendly · exhibition game · pool play
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