Real reason behind WWE's preference for using fatal 4-way matches in tournament formats
(Courtesy : Getty)
The promotion has started, frequently using fatal four-way matches.
WWE has been utilizing the fatal four-way matches for years, but the format has been preferred in recent times, be it during the King and Queen of the Ring tournament or with the tournament last year, which decided John Cena‘s final opponent.
The ‘Last Time Is Now’ tournament held last year to decide Cena’s final opponent at the December 2025 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. Fatal four-way matches were what kicked off the tournament. Now, a recent report has revealed the real reason why the promotion prefers the format instead of traditional single matches.
Fatal four-way matches help WWE include multiple top names
In a recent Fightful Select Answers Q&A, a fan asked why WWE often opts for fatal four-way matches instead of traditional singles matches in a tournament format.
Responding to the question, Sean Ross Sapp explained that the format allows the promotion to feature multiple top stars in the same match while avoiding the need for them to take direct one-on-one losses.
He added that fatal four-way matches also give the promotion greater flexibility in determining who advances, as the intended winner can move on without significantly harming the credibility of the other competitors involved.
This allows major stars who fail to win to remain protected and continue their storylines without the setback or hampering their momentum that often comes with a defeat in a one-on-one match.
WWE is currently gearing up for the finals of the aforementioned 2026 King and Queen of the Ring tournament. Oba Femi and Jey Uso will battle in the finals of the KOTR, while Iyo Sky and Liv Morgan will battle in the finale of QOTR.
The finals of the tournament will take place at the 2026 edition of Night of Champions. The show is set for June 27, 2026, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The winners will be crowned the 2026 King and Queen of the Ring.
The winners of the King and Queen tournaments will also earn world title opportunities at WWE SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis.
Why does WWE prefer fatal four-way matches in a tournament format?
Per Fightful, the fatal four-way match format allows the promotion to feature multiple top stars in the same match while avoiding the need for them to take direct one-on-one losses.
When and where will the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournament take place?
The tournament finals will take place at Night of Champions 2026 on June 27 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.