There’s nothing quite like a ladder match to get your heart racing. Two wrestlers, a championship hanging above the ring, and a tall metal ladder that becomes both a tool and a weapon. It’s wrestling at its most dangerous and absolutely insane.
It’s not just about climbing up and grabbing the prize. It’s about the creativity, the risks, and the storytelling that happens when wrestlers push their bodies to the absolute limit. Every ladder match has that moment where you’re holding your breath, watching someone leap from impossible heights or take a brutal fall that makes you wince.
The best ladder matches combine technical wrestling with death-defying stunts. They feature wrestlers who aren’t afraid to sacrifice their bodies for our entertainment. Here is a list of the top 10 ladder matches in WWE history.
10. The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler – TLC (2016)
A technical ladder match filled with limb targeting. The Miz relentlessly attacked Ziggler’s legs to slow him down. After a brutal Figure Four around the ladder and repeated low blows, Miz ascended and retained the Intercontinental Championship.
9. Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper – TLC (2014)
A vicious ladder match that left both men bloodied. Harper hit a suicide dive with a ladder, and Ziggler delivered multiple superkicks. Ziggler won by superkicking Harper off the ladder before retrieving the Intercontinental Championship.
8. CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy – SummerSlam (2009)
A physically exhausting match where Hardy hit a Swanton Bomb off a massive ladder onto Punk through the announce table. Punk capitalized on Hardy’s injuries, knocked him off the ladder, and became World Heavyweight Champion. The Undertaker made a shocking return post-match.
7. The Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy – Raw (2002)
A rare ladder match for the WWE Undisputed Championship. Hardy nearly shocked the world but was chokeslammed off the ladder. The Undertaker still raised Hardy’s hand post-match in a sign of respect for his resilience.
6. Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy – SummerSlam (2001)
A high-flying contest featuring Van Dam’s Rolling Thunder on the ladder and Jeff’s signature Swanton Bomb. RVD capitalized on Hardy’s mistake, pushing him off the ladder and winning the Hardcore Championship.
5. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit – Royal Rumble (2001)
A technical yet violent battle featuring brutal ladder shots. Benoit’s missed suicide dive onto a steel chair and Jericho’s Walls of Jericho atop the ladder stood out. Jericho won after shoving Benoit off and securing the Intercontinental Championship.
Chris Benoit (c) vs Chris Jericho
Intercontinental Championship
Ladder Match
Royal Rumble 2001
🎶 After Me – Saliva 🎶@IAmJericho pic.twitter.com/313d0BEm3C
— CV (@CVHighlights247) December 10, 2024
4. Triple H vs. The Rock – SummerSlam (1998)
A brutal match where both men used the ladder as a weapon. The Rock took a nasty backdrop onto the ladder. Triple H, with a knee injury, climbed the ladder and retrieved the Intercontinental Championship after interference from Chyna, who low-blowed The Rock.
Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best WWE Storylines of All Time
3. The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian – No Mercy (1999)
The first-ever tag team ladder match featured brutal chair shots and high-risk jumps. Jeff Hardy’s Swanton Bomb off a ladder onto Edge helped the Hardys secure their first major WWE victory, winning the Terri Invitational Tournament.
2. Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz – WrestleMania X-Seven (2001)
A chaotic TLC match that featured Jeff Hardy dangling from the belts before being speared mid-air by Edge. Bubba Ray Dudley and Matt Hardy were sent crashing through stacked tables, allowing Edge & Christian to secure the victory.
Edge and Christian vs The Hardy Boyz vs The Dudley Boyz
WrestleMania 17
WWF Tag Team ChampionshipTables, Ladders, and Chairs / TLCpic.twitter.com/BJZjHjQOK4
— Vick (@Vick_8122) March 19, 2024
Which is the greatest WWE ladder match of all time?
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon – WrestleMania X (1994)
The first-ever televised WWE ladder match saw both men battling for the undisputed Intercontinental Championship. Razor Ramon won after Shawn Michaels got tangled in the ropes, allowing him to retrieve both titles. Michaels’ leap from the ladder set a new standard for high-risk spots.
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Greatest WWE Tag Teams of All Time
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the first televised ladder match in WWE history?
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X in 1994 was the first-ever televised WWE ladder match.
What was the first tag team ladder match in WWE?
The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian at No Mercy 1999 was the first-ever tag team ladder match.
Which ladder match featured a championship that had never been defended in this match type before?
The Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy on Raw 2002 was a rare ladder match for the WWE Undisputed Championship, with Undertaker retaining the title.
