WWE Tables, Ladders, and Chairs: Top Ten Ladder Spots of The TLC Era (w/video)

The Ladder match was both introduced and revolutionized in WWE by Shawn Michaels, with a little help from Razor Ramon, in a timeless classic at Wrestlemania X.

Since then, the use of the ladder in various types of ladder matches has been innovated and reinvented despite previously impressive stunts suggesting that we had seen it all. 

Perhaps the most significant revolution of the ladder match since Wrestlemania X came with the creation of the TLC (Tables, Ladders, Chairs) match, that coincided with the rise of famed tag teams the Hardy Boyz, the Dudley Boys, and Edge & Christian in WWE. 

With chairs and tables now part of the formula, the traditional ladder match was supplemented with dangerous dimensions that created endless possibilities, and have given us some of the craziest spots we have seen in professional wrestling.

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10. Shelton Benjamin Jumps Off 20-Foot Ladder at Wrestlemania 25

For quite some time, there seemed to be three certainties in life: Death, taxes, and Shelton Benjamin stealing the show at Wrestlemania during the Money in the Bank Match.

Wrestlemania 25 was no exception as Shelton Benjamin risked life and limb to dive off of a 20-foot ladder onto the opposing superstars. 

9. Shelton Benjamin's 'Spider Man' Leap onto Ladder at Wrestlemania 22

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In a spot unseen in WWE, Shelton Benjamin added one last breathtaking maneuver to the Money in the Bank Match at Wrestlemania 22 when he performed a springboard maneuver from the top rope onto the ladder. 

The maneuver has been performed countless times since then, but the original was superior both in athleticism, timing, and that it added suspense to the outcome of this particular Money in the Bank match that saw RVD win the briefcase. 

8. Shelton Benjamin Runs Up Ladder and Clotheslines Chris Jericho

At the original Money in the Bank Match, Shelton Benjamin pulled off one of the most unique spots in WWE history when he ran up a ladder (set up perpendicularly to an upright ladder at a steep angle) to clothesline Chris Jericho.  

Never had this move been attempted in a WWE ladder match before, and we have rarely, if ever, seen anybody else perform this type of maneuver since Wrestlemania 21.

No. 7. Shawn Michaels' Flying Elbow on Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania 22

Shawn Michaels reminded us that not only did he help invent the ladder match in WWE, he also perfected it. 

In the most memorable spot in Wrestlemania 22, Shawn Michaels leapt from an enormous ladder and connected with his signature flying elbow drop on Vince McMahon (while wearing a trash can on his head) through a table.  

No. 6. John Cena FU's Edge Through Two Tables at WWE Unforgiven

In a hostile environment, and against the hometown favorite Edge, John Cena recaptured the WWE Championship in the match that Edge made famous.

The conclusion of a well done TLC match between rivals Edge and John Cena saw John Cena perform his finishing maneuver on Edge through not one, but two tables. 

No. 5. Jeff Hardy's Swanton Bomb on CM Punk at SummerSlam 2009

When Jeff Hardy isn't cutting odd promos on CM Punk, while in an altered state at a diner, he actually has pretty good matches with him. 

The climax of SummerSlam 2009, in what would be Jeff Hardy's last pay-per-view match with WWE, saw Jeff Hardy perform a death-defying Swanton Bomb from a 20-foot ladder onto CM Punk through an announce table.

No. 4. Jeff Hardy's Leg Drop From a 20-Foot Ladder on Edge at Wrestlemania 23

Early in the Money in the Bank match up at Wrestlemania 23, both Jeff Hardy and Edge were (kayfabe) taken out of the match after an impressive stunt by Jeff Hardy where Hardy leapfrogged a 20 foot ladder onto Edge.

Unlike the traditional 'Hardy through a table' spot, Edge had been lying on a ladder before Hardy came crashing down in an impressive spot. 

This was the first Money in the Bank match that did not feature Shelton Benjamin; however, Jeff Hardy more than made up for any voids in excitement created by Shelton's absence. 

No. 3. Shelton Benjamin Falls Through a Ladder at Wrestlemania 24

Time was, Shelton Benjamin was involved in a big spot where he was dishing out the punishment, but this time the tables were turned.

Or should I say ladders?

Shelton Benjamin's return to the Money in the Bank match did not disappoint as he took part in a spot that few would even dream of. 

The only thing more impressive than Shelton Benjamin falling from a 20-foot ladder through another ladder was the fact that he survived such a fall.

No. 2. Bubba Ray Dudley and Matt Hardy Fall Through 4 Tables at Wrestlemania 17

Wrestlemania 17 saw perhaps the greatest Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match of all time, which is why this War has occupied the top two spots on this countdown. 

The first of the two sees Bubba Ray Dudley and Matt Hardy falling from a ladder through not one, not two, not three, but four tables in the climactic spot of TLC II. 

No. 1. Edge Spears Jeff Hardy From a 20-Foot Ladder at Wrestlemania 17

The penultimate spot at Wrestlemania 17 holds the top spot on this countdown. 

Sure, no tables were involved in this spot, but what this spot lacked in tables it more than made up for in creativity as Edge leapt from a 20-foot ladder to spear Jeff Hardy while Hardy dangled in the air trying to grab hold of the tag titles.

Of all the spots and stunts to have ever been performed at a TLC match, this is one of the few timeless maneuvers that embodied the exhilarating nature of the ladder match in the WWE. 

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