Rob Van Dam's 7 Most Thrilling Moments in WWE Ladder Matches

Rob Van Dam's WWE return is perfectly timed as it will allow him to begin his newest run in a ladder match, a place where he has thrived over the years.

Some of Van Dam's most moving and stunning moments have come in ladder matches. He has smashed into ladders, flied off them and ascended them on the way to championship glory.

In his battles with Christian, Eddie Guerrero, Jeff Hardy and others, Van Dam has amassed an eclectic collection of ladder match highlights.

Here's hoping WWE places him in one of the Money in the Bank ladder matches this July and gives him an opportunity to add to this list. 

7. Van Terminator Supreme

Rob Van Dam’s most exciting moment in the four-team TLC match on WWE Raw in 2002 featured no ladder.

Instead, Van Dam soared across the ring while his partner Jeff Hardy held a steel chair in front of Kane's face. It's a move Van Dam has performed many times, but the height he achieved this time out, Hardy's assist and the fact that it occurred in such an exciting match elevated the moment.

It was one of many highlights in a chaotic, exciting battle that saw Kane win out despite not having his partner at ringside.

6. Monkey Flip

Rob Van Dam's monkey flip, even as excellently as he performs it, is normally a pretty routine move. He flips backwards with his opponent upper body his grasp and flips them over. The addition of the ladder to the equation upped the violence and shock factor of the move.

Going up against Eddie Guerrero on a 2002 episode of WWE Raw, Van Dam sent his opponent crashing into an awaiting ladder.

Guerrero's legs clanged against the steel and the rest of his body collided with the ring mat in a dangerous landing.  The two men likely planned for a safer version of the move, but the end result is a thrilling one for fans.

5. Rolling Thunder

The San Jose fans let out a collective "oh!" when Rob Van Dam hit his Rolling Thunder move into a prone Jeff Hardy.

The match was for the WWE Hardcore Championship at SummerSlam 2001. Before Van Dam went on to win it, he gave us this impressive spot. A limp Hardy sprawled out on a ladder wedged into the corner before Van Dam crash-landed on him.

The already exciting Rolling Thunder move was made more dangerous and more thrilling with the added crunch of flesh on metal.

4. Crazy Fan

One of the most surprising and memorable moments of Eddie Guerrero and Rob Van Dam's ladder match for the Intercontinental title in 2002 came courtesy of an overzealous fan.

Guerrero had climbed near the top of the ladder, looking to retain his championship when a fan darted into the ring and pushed him over. Thankfully, Guerrero managed to land on his feet. Latino Heat then looked to land some retaliatory punches before security dragged the fan away.

Although Van Dam was only a bystander here, he was one of the most entertaining elements of the moment. His dumbfounded expression as this all unfolded was priceless.

3. Bobby Lashley Meets a Chair

Bobby Lashley looked to be closing in on the Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 22. Rob Van Dam had other ideas.

Soaring from the top turnbuckle, Van Dam kicked a steel chair into Lashley's ribs. The impact caused both men to crash into the mat, though Lashley clearly got the worst of it.

Both Van Dam's innovation and athleticism were shown off here. Here's hoping Mr. Monday Night does something similar in his return match.

2. Here Is Your Winner, Rob Van Dam!

Ric Flair, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Finlay and Matt Hardy all went home disappointed as Rob Van Dam outlasted each one of his foes to win the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 22.

Van Dam pushed Hardy and Benjamin off one ladder and climbed another to victory.

Watching him giddily flop around the ring in celebration was a moving, exciting moment. Van Dam was essentially assured a world championship reign with this win. He turned that briefcase into gold when he defeated John Cena at One Night Stand in 2006.

1. Classic Match Against Christian

Rob Van Dam and Christian's battle for the Intercontinental Championship on WWE Raw in 2003 is among the best matches ever centered around that title.

Selecting a single standout moment from a match so overloaded with momentum swings and exciting spots is difficult. Watch the full match here and see if you can isolate one great moment from this great bout.

Van Dam somersaulted out of the ring, only to have Christian hold the ladder up to protect himself. Both men crashed into the ladder and soared around the ring in desperation.

Their match was a story of two men willing to suffer through anything to win—falling, crashing and grinding their way to the finish line.