10 MUST-SEE Forgotten WWE Ladder Matches

3. Jeff Hardy vs. Edge – Extreme Rules 2009

Jeff Hardy and Edge are maybe the two best ladder match competitors in history. They have had more memorable ladder match moments than anyone, which makes it so strange that their only singles ladder match encounter has been largely forgotten about. It may have something to do with Hardy leaving the company shortly afterward or the fact that CM Punk cashed in Money in the Bank immediately following the match. And you know how WWE feels about ol’ Mr. Punk.

Reasoning aside, Hardy and Edge had a great match. They played off of a number of throwback spots, including Hardy reversing a spear into the Twist of Fate in midair. Edge is a very smart worker and one would imagine the finish was his idea. Being pulled through a rung of the ladder and being forced to watch Hardy retrieve his World Heavyweight Championship? *chefs kiss*


2. Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens – NXT Takeover: Brooklyn

Similar to a few other entries on this list, this match has been lost to time due to the large number of Takeover events and the other matches that took place on this card. Well, one actually. When people talk about the first NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, they talk about Sasha Banks vs. Bayley. As they should, that was a historic match and the best on the show. However, it has meant that this main event ladder match has been lost to time.

Finn Balor had won the NXT Championship in Japan a month earlier so this match was Owens’ swan song. They told a pretty brilliant story as Owens was more focused on brutality than Balor. He didn’t seem interested in using ladders much early, instead electing to do damage his way. It didn’t last and Balor proved to be the better match. It remains a great match if still greatly overshadowed.


1. Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio – Extreme Rules 2011

Here it is. The top spot on our list goes to the night Christian won his first World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules 2011. Edge had just retired and vacated the title and Christian had to do battle with Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match.

They had a classic ladder match. More emphasis was placed on wrestling and integrating ladders into traditional moves and holds than high-risk moves but that does not mean it was any less enjoyable. Del Rio had Brodus Clay and Ricardo Rodriguez in his corner causing trouble which lasted until Edge emerged to even the odds. He distracted them long enough for Christian to send Del Rio to the outside and hurry up the ladder to win the match and the title.

This remains one of the more emotional title wins in recent WWE memory as Christian finally got his time on top. Now, the only reason I can think of that this match had been forgotten so much is that WWE does not want to remind people of Christian’s title reign as they stupidly had Randy Orton beat him for the title on SmackDown just days later. It sucked then and it sucks now. However, it does not take away from this match. If you can watch it and forget about what is coming, you will greatly enjoy it.

What ladder match do you have the best memories of? Let us know on Twitter!

4 years ago by Tempest

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