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The Ladder match is one of the most iconic stipulations in WWE history. Since making its debut back at WrestleMania X, the match has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable in wrestling.
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While there have been various spins added to the bout over the years, purists will still argue that it is difficult to capture the sheer excitement of two or more men beating each other within an inch of their lives in a desperate bid to capture whatever prize it is hanging above the ring.
This list is here to highlight just that- standard ladder matches. While TLC and Money in the Bank matches are thrilling encounters, they will not be making their way onto this list, instead, it will focus on the best 10 normal ladder matches in the history of the WWE.
#10 Jeff Hardy Vs The Undertaker- Raw 2002
The ladder match that took place between Jeff Hardy and The Undertaker on a 2002 episode of Raw is one of the most iconic matches in the history of Monday nights.
The Undertaker was in the middle of his 'American Badass' run at the time, and Hardy was really beginning to break out as a singles star, having made a name for himself starring in tag team matches with his brother, Matt.
This was a classic case of David Vs Goliath and a fine example of WWE storytelling. While few fans expected Hardy to win the match, his spirited performance made him a star that night, and there were several moments throughout the match when it looked as though he could claim his first ever WWE title.
In the end, Taker retained his belt, but he raised Hardy's hand after the bout, cementing his place as one of the WWE's top babyfaces for years to come.
#9 Edge Vs Jeff Hardy- Extreme Rules 2009
Edge and Jeff Hardy are two of the names most people think of when they think of ladder matches in the WWE and with good reason.
The two Attitude Era icons made a name for themselves with their crazy TLC performances in the late 90s and early 2000s, and both men broke out away from their tag teams and established themselves as two of the biggest stars in the company during the late 2000s.
Their feud in 2009 was one of the best of both men's career and it produced some excellent matches- the most notable of which was their ladder match at Extreme Rules 2009.
The match was an action-packed spot-fest which saw Hardy finally get his hands on the World Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately for Hardy, CM Punk would come down moments later and cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase to shatter Hardy's dreams.
#8 Shawn Michaels Vs Razor Ramon- SummerSlam 1995
Following on their from their iconic WrestleMania match was always going to be difficult, and while Ramon and Michaels never quite recaptured the magic from 18 months earlier, they still managed to put on one of the greatest ladder matches of all time at SummerSlam 1995.
These two men were magic together in the ring and they produced yet another thrilling encounter here. While perhaps not as memorable as their Mania clash, this is still worth checking out, and the sight of Ramon and Michaels embracing each other after the bout is one of the best moments in SummerSlam history.
#7 Chris Jericho Vs Chris Benoit- Royal Rumble 2001
Jericho and Benoit both had some excellent matches throughout their careers but their best encounter came at Royal Rumble 2001 when Chris Benoit defended his Intercontinental Title against Y2J in a ladder match.
While the site of Benoit receiving some pretty brutal shots to the head is difficult to watch, this is a brutal and innovative affair that also featured the iconic image of Jericho applying the walls of Jericho over the top of a ladder on Benoit.
Both men would go on to have some legendary matches in the WWE, but this remains as one of both men's best.
#6 MNM Vs Brian Kendrick and Paul London Vs The Hardys Vs Dave Taylor and William Regal- Armageddon 2004
The lasting image most fans have from this often forgotten gem is of Joey Mercury's smashed up face after he was hit with a ladder, and while that moment was memorable for all the wrong reasons, the rest of the match was an absolute belter.
This match was total carnage from start to finish, featuring innovative spots and some excellent in-ring work.
Often, some of the best ladder matches fly by at a break-neck speed, and this one was no different, with all eight men putting in an excellent shift in what is one of the best multi-man ladder matches in WWE history.
#5 Edge and Christian Vs The New Brood (The Hardys) No Mercy 1999
While this match is not as well remembered as some of their later classics, this ladder match that took place between The Hardys (at the time, The New Brood) and Edge and Christian was a strong sign of the classics that were to come.
None of these four men had really broken out at this stage and we're all fairly new to the WWE. The gimmick for the match was that instead of a belt hanging above the ring, $100,000 and a contract for Terri Runnells' services were hanging there in a typically Vince Russo inspired moment.
Despite the gimmick, the four men put on an excellent show and gave us signs of the magic that they were going to perform in future matches.
#4 Six Man Ladder Match for the North American Title- NXT Takeover: New Orleans
Ok, so this isn't a strictly a WWE main roster match, but it is still one of the greatest ladder matches the company has ever produced.
The match took place at WrestleMania weekend this year and alongside Johnny Gargano's clash with Tommaso Ciampa, earned itself five stars from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The match was a non-stop thrill ride from the opening bell to the last, and the different styles of all six men made for riveting viewing.
Adam Cole's eventual victory was a wise choice, and this was an incredible way to introduce the North American Championship to the world.
#3 Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho- No Mercy 2008
Shawn Michaels' feud with Chris Jericho in 2008 was one of the finest of both men's careers and one of the most underrated feuds of the 21st century so far.
After an incredibly personal build, the two men beat each other from pillar to post when they met with Jericho's title on the line at No Mercy in 2008.
Jericho came out on top of the match after headbutting his opponent from the top of the ladder but the fans were the real winners here.
#2 Edge and Christian Vs The Dudley Boyz Vs The Hardys- WrestleMania 2000
Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon may have taken part in the WWE's first-ever ladder match, but it was the three teams involved in this match that would really go on to define exactly what a ladder match should be.
While most fans will remember their iconic TLC matches, the triangle ladder match that took place at WrestleMania 2000 is still an absolute classic.
The match was carnage from start to finish and even watching it back, it has still never really been topped in terms of spots.
Edge and Christian would walk away the victors from this match but there is little doubt that all six men made a career of the back of their performances here.
#1 Shawn Michaels Vs Razor Ramon- WrestleMania X
While it may not be too innovative by today's standards, the WWE's first ever ladder match, which took place between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X, still remains as the industry's standard bearer.
Back in 1994, a heel Michaels was laying claim to the Intercontinental Title, despite having been stripped of the belt earlier in the year. The newly crowned champion, Razor Ramon, then agreed to put the title on the line against HBK in a ladder match at WrestleMania.
The match was ground-breaking at the time and had it not been the success that it was, then the rest of the matches on this list may never have happened.
The image of Michaels hitting a big splash on Ramon off the top of the ladder is one of the most iconic in WrestleMania's 34-year history, and the match still remains as one of the best the event has ever witnessed.
Do you agree with our list? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!
