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Like several other gimmick-based pay-per-views in WWE, fans know what to expect with TLC. It was made pretty clear from the first edition in 2009. Aside from the titular TLC Match, WWE has held Tables matches, Ladder matches and Chairs matches at the event.
This diverse set of stipulation matches has brought about some excitement and drama, even if it has been difficult to organically book such bouts in recent years. There have been some great matches under various stipulations at TLC, as well as a few of them that did not deliver.
It isn't particularly easy to have a classic Chairs Match, considering the limitations of the stipulation. That being said, some such matches have delivered over the years. The same can be said for Tables matches, while a Ladder Match is almost always entertaining.
This list will look at the best match of each TLC stipulation in the pay-per-view's history, including one that was added for a solitary year. These are the standards that have been set, as far as the TLC pay-per-view is concerned.
#5 The Big Show vs. Erick Rowan: Stairs Match (WWE TLC 2014)
Back in 2014, WWE tried to get too ambitious with the TLC pay-per-view concept. They added another match type and changed the show's name to Tables, Ladders, Chairs, and Stairs. There has only been one Stairs Match in WWE history, and with good reason. So, by default, The Big Show vs. Erick Rowan was the best match under the gimmick.
Fresh off a surprising babyface turn, the former Wyatt Family member stood up to The World's Largest Athlete. However, the match wasn't very good. The action was slow and plodding, with the only weapon used being the steel steps.
There was some innovative stair-based offense, like Big Show spearing Rowan through a wall of stairs stacked on each other. The finish also involved the steel steps, as Big Show used it to pin Rowan down.
This match proved that not every WWE weapon deserves its own match. TLC 2014 saw an overkill of these weapons, with a lot of dull stipulation matches. The Big Show and Erick Rowan were at the forefront of that.
#4 Baron Corbin vs. Kalisto: Chairs Match (WWE TLC 2016)
While not the best gimmick, the Chairs Match is still mildly entertaining at times. It was introduced for the first-ever TLC event as the stipulation for The Undertaker's World Heavyweight title match with Batista. Since then, the quality of this match has fluctuated. There have been some bad Chairs matches, as well as some fun ones.
Among them was John Cena vs. Wade Barrett at TLC 2010 and Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton from TLC 2018, but the best one may be Kalisto's effort alongside Baron Corbin at TLC 2016. A surprising choice, but one that is a true hidden gem.
Much like SmackDown Live in 2016, Corbin and Kalisto quietly went about their business and wowed the fans at this brand-exclusive pay-per-view. This was a very innovative match, filled with some fun spots. The pick of the bunch may be senton onto a two-sided row of chairs.
This was entertaining and brutal in equal measures, with Baron Corbin looking like a huge star in victory here. He defeated Kalisto after swatting him with a chair in mid-air and hitting the End of Days onto a pile of them. It will be hard for any future Chairs Match to top this.
#3 John Cena vs. Seth Rollins: Tables Match (WWE TLC 2014)
Despite it being a pretty average show, TLC 2014 makes another appearance on this list. There hasn't been a better Tables Match in the pay-per-view's history than the time John Cena and Seth Rollins faced off in the aftermath of The Authority being banished from WWE. This was a more than serviceable match featuring two of the top stars in the company at the time.
Rollins and Cena have incredible chemistry, as would be evident in future match-ups with each other. This bout showcased that in spades, with the two even in sync for a double table spot. Both men crashed through separate tables at the same time, resulting in the match being restarted.
The Big Show, who had just won the aforementioned Stairs Match against Erick Rowan, interfered and seemed to gift the victory to Seth Rollins at TLC. However, the return of Roman Reigns stopped that from happening. The Big Dog speared Big Show, before setting Rollins up for defeat.
Reigns assisted John Cena in defeating The Architect, with an Attitude Adjustment through a leaning table doing the job. This match went over 23 minutes, possibly the longest a Tables Match has ever gone. It was still pretty good regardless.
#2 The New Day vs. The Usos vs. Lucha Dragons: Ladder Match (WWE TLC 2015)
Ladder matches are probably the most consistent gimmick in terms of pure match quality. A bad Ladder Match is unheard of, thanks to the variety of spots that are possible. There have been several excellent ladder showcases at TLC, including Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper and Sheamus vs. John Morrison. However, this triple threat Tag Team Championship match takes the cake.
Opening the 2015 edition of TLC, The New Day put on a barnburner against The Usos and The Lucha Dragons. There was a litany of car-crash moments involving the six Superstars, with several high-flyers in the match. Kofi Kingston and both Usos were mightily impressive, but the show was stolen elsewhere.
Kalisto, one year before his impressive Chairs Match against Baron Corbin, had a star-making performance at TLC 2015. His biggest moment came when he sent Jey Uso crashing through a bridged ladder with a Salida del Sol from the top of the ladder in the middle of the ring.
However, that incredible feat was not enough to pull out the victory as Xavier Woods interfered to help Kofi Kingston retrieve the tag team titles and win the match for The New Day. This was the best match of their legendary 483-day reign with the tag titles.
#1 Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka: TLC Match (WWE TLC 2018)
The titular match of the TLC pay-per-view usually varies in quality, because of the forced nature of the gimmick at times. Sometimes, WWE gives certain matches the TLC stipulation without the story warranting it. However, when done right, TLC matches are spectacles of the highest order. There are several of them that could realistically be called the best match in the history of WWE TLC.
The Shield's debut match comes to mind and while that was excellent, this triple threat Women's title match from TLC 2018 had lasting consequences for the main event of WrestleMania. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Asuka truly delivered that night before WWE set up the following year's Mania headliner.
After a hellacious 20 minutes that saw each Superstar use tables, ladders, chairs, and kendo sticks to their advantage, Ronda Rousey ran in and cost Lynch and Flair the match. This enabled Asuka to climb the ladder and become the SmackDown Women's Champion.
This was a great moment, giving Asuka her moment to shine and freeing Becky Lynch up for an eventual RAW Women's title match at WrestleMania. However, the action that preceded it should not be discounted. It was extremely brutal and worthy of being the first-ever women's TLC Match.
