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A ladder match is as much fun to watch as it is dangerous for the Superstars involved in the match-up. While we gasp at every big spot, jumping at every "OMG" moment, the physical and mental struggle required by the participants to take those leaps of faith is immense. This dynamic will play out one again at the WWE TLC pay-per-view.
In one TLC Match, WWE Champion Drew Mcintyre will defend his title against AJ Styles. Most fans expect this match to deliver despite the fact that these two stars have never faced each other before.
Over on the blue brand, Kevin Owens will change "The Tribal Chief," Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship. This bout promises to be incredible because the build-up has been captivating.
Considering we are just a handful of days away from WWE TLC 2020, it seems like an appropriate time to look back at some of the best first-time performances in the history of ladder matches. The list features several star-making performances. Plus, in another memorable bout, a veteran was actually the rookie in their first time competing in this fan-favorite stipulation.
So without any further delays, let's dive in and recount some of these memorable performances WWE Superstars have delivered.
#5 Sami Zayn (WWE Wrestlemania 32)
The WWE Wrestlemania 32 ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship was an undeniably great one on a show that was marred by strange booking decisions. The end of it brought Zack Ryder the championship gold. But the Superstar who walked away from the match as the biggest star of all was Sami Zayn.
Having competed at NXT TakeOver: Dallas just a couple of nights before in an instant classic against Shinsuke Nakamura, nobody expected Zayn to put on this kind of performance. But to the surprise of virtually everyone, he had a spectacular first-time showing in a ladder match.
In the best spot of the whole night, he shocked everyone by diving from under the ladder. He was also involved in a brutal-looking frog splash by Kevin Owens from the top of the ladder.
Zayn would go on to have some incredible ladder match performances later as well. His performance at WWE Clash of Champions arguably stole the show.
#4 Ricochet (WWE NXT TakeOver: New Orleans)
Ricochet was bound to find his way into a ladder match, as it's a gimmick in which acrobatic WWE Superstars like him can thrive. By showcasing his physical agility and executing death-defying maneuvers, Ricochet stole the show at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, at least until the main event began.
Competing for the newly-minted WWE NXT North American Championship, Ricochet, along with five other Superstars, put on one of the greatest ladder matches of the modern era.
One of Ricochet's spots in the match that stood out was an insane moonsault from the top of the ladder onto Adam Cole and Killian Dain. Another neck breaker from the top rope to Velveteen Dream was highly impressive, too.
Even though Cole ultimately emerged as the inaugural North American Champion, it was Ricochet who impressed the most. His performance was truly remarkable in a match where every competitor stepped up.
It left many fans hoping he'll be in more ladder matches throughout his WWE career. Clearly, this stipulation brings out the best of his high-flying offense.
#3 The Undertaker (WWE RAW, July 1, 2002)
While this match is widely known for being the catalyst for Jeff Hardy's success as a singles competitor in WWE, The Undertaker was actually the underdog. In this contest, Hardy's pedigree in ladder matches gave him the upper hand. So this experience switched the roles of the veteran and his younger opponent.
In a bout for for The Undertaker's WWE Undisputed Championship, the match was outstanding in every aspect. "The Dead Man" put on an incredible first-time performance in a ladder match. His match-ending chokeslam to Hardy from the top of the ladder was timed to sheer perfection.
The match was successful in being the star-making vehicle it was designed to be for Hardy. It also demonstrated The Undertaker's versatility as an in-ring performer in WWE.
Among the list of most buzzworthy ladder matches in WWE history, this match-up is surprisingly missing. This duo went on to have more contests in the future, but none of them reached the level of what these two stars achieved here.
#2 Triple H (WWE SummerSlam 1998)
Triple H's victory over The Rock in this ladder match from WWE SummerSlam 1998 match marked the beginning of two main-event runs for a pair of future icons. So it's an invaluable piece of wrestling history. While The Rock wrestled as a heel in the contest, Triple H was the face challenger for the former's Intercontinental Championship.
Even though The Rock was still early in his WWE career, he had already shown his versatility with his new heel character. "The Brahma Bull" was already becoming a top star.
On the other hand, Triple H was trying to break into the upper-card scene. By the end of the match, he solidified his position as a force to reckoned with in WWE. While the bout itself was a great back and forth contest, Chyna's involvement in the ending sealed the outcome in Triple H's favor.
The match is rightfully considered as one of the best ladder matches in history, and it is fondly looked back on by the WWE Universe.
#1 Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon (WWE Wrestlemania X)
It's impossible to separate the performances of these legends and term one better than the other. While today's ladder matches and WWE Superstars have several reference points to work around, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon only had their past experience with chairs as a reference.
It took unbelievable amounts of creativity to manage what these Superstars did in this match. Crafting a match with a gimmick that had virtually no track record, the two relied on their gameplan and went on to have an encounter for the ages.
Spots like Michaels bouncing off the ladder and being trapped between the ropes after falling off another ladder were quite innovative at the time. The match left the live crowd in a collective gasp as they had never seen something like this. While Razor Ramon walked out of the match as the new WWE Intercontinental Champion, Michaels solidified his standing as one of WWE's top stars.
More than anything else, the match set the template for future ladder matches, and it continues to be a reference points for Superstars across the world.
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