WWE Classic of the Week: Edge and Christian vs. Hardy Boyz from No Mercy 1999

In just under two weeks, Dean Ambrose will have the opportunity to cap off what has been a star-making month for the young stud when he meets John Cena in a No Holds Barred Contract On A Pole match at Hell in a Cell, available for just $9.99 on the WWE Network (just in case you forgot).

But WWE's October pay-per-view events are no stranger to star-making performances. Kane debuted in 1997 at Bad Blood, confronting The Undertaker and laying him out with a Tombstone piledriver. With one cock of his head and a single maneuver, the Big Red Monster had been established as a tour de force in Vince McMahon's rapidly evolving promotion.

In 2006, both Mr. Kennedy and Bobby Lashley got their shots at stardom by working the likes of Undertaker and Booker T, thus elevating themselves on the SmackDown brand.

Seven years prior to Kennedy and Lashley's big shot at main event recognition, The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian had one opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the industry and earn themselves a far more prestigious and worthwhile spot on the card. With everything to gain and nothing to lose, the four talented young performers wowed the fans inside Cleveland's Gund Arena with a match that still, to this day, ranks as one of the best in October pay-per-view history.

A tag team ladder match with $100,000 and the managerial services of Terri Runnels on the line, the contest would change the fates of all involved.

But first, a look back at what brought our four conquering heroes together.

The Background

On June 22, 1998, Edge, an enigmatic young star, made his Monday Night Raw debut. Seen as a star of the future, his arrival was preceded by several pre-taped vignettes and a great deal of hype. Unfortunately, a freak accident that occurred during his first televised bout against Jose Estrada of Los Boricuas, which saw Estrada suffer a serious neck injury, threatened his push from the get-go.

He recovered nicely, though, partnering with Sable to defeat Marc Mero and Jacqueline at SummerSlam that August.

It was not until his fictional brother (and real-life best friend) Christian debuted that the nucleus for one of the greatest tag teams in pro wrestling history was formed. After a few weeks of feuding with him, Edge joined Christian and Gangrel to create The Brood, a dark and mysterious faction led by the vampiric Gangrel.

At the same time that Edge and Christian were making names for themselves on Monday Night Raw, Matt and Jeff Hardy were enjoying their first glimpse of upward momentum in the company. After years spent as enhancement talent, working as punching bags for the likes of Razor Ramon, the 1-2-3 Kid and Nikolai Volkoff, they were finally getting their shot at earning a roster spot as an undercard tag team.

The brothers competed against The Headbangers and Too Much (Brian Christopher and Scott Taylor) regularly and earned the reputation of a young, up-and-coming tandem. Eventually, their hard work paid off when they were rewarded with a push on television.

With the legendary Michael "P.S." Hayes guiding them, they instantly engaged Edge and Christian in a rivalry and also worked The Acolytes, even winning the WWF Tag Team Championship in July 1999.

The Edge and Christian and The Hardys battled one another for months on end. So intense was the rivalry and so impressive were Matt and Jeff that Gangrel ultimately betrayed his teammates and sided with the young brothers from Cameron, North Carolina, sensing the tide was turning in their favor.

The third piece of the puzzle came in the form of Terri Runnels, who had been dumped by the likes of Val Venis and Goldust and partnered up with Jacqueline as one half of Pretty Mean Sisters (yes, PMS...blame Vince Russo). When that partnership fizzled in the fall, she was left with nothing to do. Thus, the Terri Invitational Tournament was devised. Again, thanks, Russo.

A series of matches between Edge and Christian and the Hardys would occur over the proceeding weeks, culminating in one big bout in which the winner would be rewarded with $100,000 and the honor of having Terri as their manager.

Or something like that. She was smoking hot, though, so that's a plus.

It was against that backdrop that the two thriving young teams would enter No Mercy on October 17 for the biggest match of their careers.

The Match

The Analysis

What can possibly be said about the first ladder match between The Hardys and Edge and Christian that has not already been said? The two teams, hungry and determined to move up the ranks and establish themselves as the stars of the future, pulled out all of the stops and put their well-being at stake to send a message to the entire world.

From the tremendous spots to the outstanding sequencing, the stars gave of themselves for the opportunity to get noticed by those in charge of the book and the big dog himself, Vince McMahon. They did just that and earned their reward, beginning the next night on Raw with a standing ovation courtesy of the men and women inside Bryce Jordan Center at State College, Pennsylvania.

It was an instant classic match that had anyone who watched it feeling significantly better about the future of professional wrestling and the state of McMahon's WWF.

The Aftermath 

As mentioned above, the four performers were greeted the following evening by a crowd of appreciative fans inside Bryce Jordan Center. They gave Edge, Christian, Matt and Jeff a standing ovation fitting of the biggest stars on the roster, and rightfully so. They demonstrated the heart, desire and determination necessary for anyone to break through the proverbial glass ceiling and in the process elevated themselves in the eyes of everyone watching.

That included McMahon, who instantly called for them to be featured more on television.

They would perform as allies throughout the remainder of the year, but it was as enemies in 2000 that they would go on to their greatest success in the tag division.

At WrestleMania 2000, the two teams were joined by the dastardly Dudley Boyz for a Triangle Ladder match that built upon the original tag team ladder match and resulted in the Match of the Year for that year.

They continued to up the ante with the Tables, Ladders & Chairs matches that followed. By the time 2002 rolled around, all three teams had split in hopes that the members would achieve singles success. For some, it came easier than others.

Both the Dudleys and Hardys would reunite for sustained periods, but Edge's success as a main event performer made it much more difficult for them to give fans a reunion totally reeking of awesome.