WWE TLC 2011: The 10 Best Ladder Matches in WWE History

One of the most exciting matches in all of the stipulations matches one could watch is the ladder match.

Ladder matches have been around for decades in one form or another, but in the 90s WWE brought them to the masses.

Since then we have seen these matches yield some of the most exciting moments in WWE history. Whether it is Jeff Hardy diving from 20-feet high or HBK diving off onto Razor Ramon, there is sure to be something for every wrestling fan.

These matches typically involve a title being suspended from the rafters that can only be reached by climbing a ladder and pulling it down.

This is not always the case, as we have an upcoming match between Nash and Triple H where there will be a hammer instead of a title for them to grab.

This style of match has been expanded into several other match types like TLC, Money in the Bank and Three Stages of Hell matches.

WWE has had over 40 ladder matches on TV and PPV, but here I will count down the top-ten best ladder matches in WWE history.

On a side note, this will only contain WWE ladder matches, none from TNA, WCW or any other promotion.

10. Triple H vs Shawn Michaels (Third Fall in 3 Stages of Hell Match)

Having two men face off in one match with no DQ is bad enough, but what about three in a row?

Triple H and Shawn Michaels went through hell together as they battled in the three stages of hell. The first fall was a street fight, the second a cage match and the final fall was a ladder match.

Shawn has always been credited as one of the people who brought ladder matches to the forefront of WWE, and this match helped prove why he is one of the best.

Triple H also showed that when push comes to shove he can keep pace with his best friend, even if it is a match he is not as comfortable with.

Check out the video of these two battling friends tearing each other apart.

9. Christian vs Shelton Benjamin

Christian and Shelton Benjamin were at one point ECW's best assets.

Together they put on what may have been the best match during ECWs run. Shelton challenged Christian for the ECW in an amazing ladder match.

Both men looked great this night, but when it was all over Christian was the one holding the title high above.

Check out this video of one of the best matches from WWE's version of ECW.

8. Dudleyz vs E&C vs Hardys

This match not only redefined what ladder matches were, but it was the precursor for the TLC match we all know and love today.

When this match took place WWE still cared about their tag team division, which was evident by the three teams in this match.

These three teams are some of the most decorated and loved tag teams in history. The Dudleys have been around since the original ECW, Edge and Christian hold the record for most WWE tag titles and the Hardys are arguably one of the most popular tag teams of all.

These six men went into this match as wrestlers but they came out as warriors. This match features one of many amazing Swanton Bombs by Jeff Hardy from high above his opponent.

Check out this amazing example of why tag team wrestling should be more prominent in WWE today.

7. Undertaker vs Jeff Hardy

When it comes to ladder matches Jeff Hardy is the king. He has had several great encounters on top of ladders, but the one that may have given him his biggest boost was the one he lost.

Jeff Hardy was looking to take out The Undertaker the only way he knew how, with a ladder. These two fought over the Undisputed WWE championship one night on Raw.

This match was not only great for Jeff, but it showed Undertaker could also put on a good match, no matter what the stipulation.

Regardless of the loss, Jeff showed he was tough enough to go toe to toe with the dead man that night—and he earned Takers respect for it.

Check out this video where these two men face off over the greatest prize in the business.

6. Edge vs Jeff Hardy

Another of Jeff Hardy's great ladder matches was against Edge for the World title. This was during Jeff's first major push as a world championship contender, and these two pulled out all the stops.

They proved once again that they were the two men who owned the ladder match. Both Edge and Hardy came away from this match looking strong, despite one of them losing.

The other interesting thing about this match was that CM Punk cashed in his first Money in the Bank match right after Hardy won.

Punk beat Hardy quickly and became Champion after Hardy had one of the shortest reigns in the history of the business.

Check out the second portion of this match, including Punk cashing in at the end.

5. RVD vs Eddie Guerrero

Jeff Hardy and Edge are not the only wrestlers who are comfortable atop a 20-foot ladder. One night on Raw, Eddie Guerrero and RVD fought over the IC title in an amazing ladder match.

Eddie and RVD are two people who I miss seeing in WWE and this match is just one example of why.

Eddie Guerrero is one of the most exciting wrestlers in history and his opponent, RVD, was right up there with him on this night.

When it was all said and done it was RVD who claimed the gold at the end of the night, but both men would leave a lasting memory for wrestling fans with this match.

Take a look and remember why Eddie and RVD were two of the best assets the WWE had.

4. Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart

Many people think it was HBK and Razor Ramon who put on WWE's first ladder match, but it was actually HBK and Bret Hart.

This match was rarely seen before the release of WWE's first ladder match DVD, but it is a memorable one to anyone who has had a chance to see it.

Shawn Michaels is well known for ladder matches, but Bret Hart is not, and frankly I am surprised he did not have more after this performance.

Both men were the cream of the crop in WWE at the time. It is no surprise after watching this encounter over the IC title that both men went on to become multiple time world champions.

Check out the match that eluded so many fans for years, as Bret and Shawn take each other to the limit over the IC title.

3. First Money in the Bank

The first Money in the Bank match happened almost seven years ago at WrestleMania 21.

This was an interesting match, as six men had never fought against each other in a ladder match over a title shot in a brief case.

The match proved to be one of the most exciting things that night and stole the show from most of the other matches.

Everyone who was involved put on a great show, but it was Edge who would claim the first case to become Mr Money in the Bank.

Check out the video featuring the highlights from the first Money in the bank ladder match.

2. Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels are two of the most memorable ladder match participants and their one-on-one ladder match showed why both men are living legends.

Jericho was in the midst of his heel turn and was embroiled in a feud with Shawn Michaels, which saw many encounters resulting in a brawl.

The match they had for the World Title is one of the best ladder matches of all time and was a toss-up for the No. 1 spot on this list.

Jericho may have more ladder matches under his belt than HBK, but there is no stopping Michaels from stealing the show—no matter who the opponent is.

Check out the match between these two and relive one of the greatest matches in their entire rivalry.

1. Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon

WWE's first major ladder match tops off the list. Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon were both claiming to be the Intercontinental Champion during this time.

Shawn had returned from injury and continued to bring his title to the ring, after Ramon had been crowned Champion weeks earlier.

The only way to settle this was to have both men suspend their titles above the ring and fight for them in a ladder match.

Michaels stole the show with numerous high risk moves, the likes of which were not the norm in WWE at the time.

When the smoke cleared it was Razor Ramon who stood tall holding both belts, but Shawn may have come out as the stronger looking wrestler.

Thanks for checking out the list and feel free to share your thoughts below.