Every Ladder Match In WWE Raw History, Ranked Worst To Best
The ladder match is one of the most popular stipulations in WWE history. The first televised ladder match in WWE was a five-star epic between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 10 to crown the Undisputed Intercontinental Champion. Nevertheless, they set the bar high and it has been very tough to topple although Edge, Christian, the Hardys, and the Dudleys managed to mold the ladder match into their own and transformed it into a TLC match with the inclusion of tables and chairs.
Ladder matches are tons of fun when executed correctly as a championship could be hanging in the balance, a briefcase, or an opportunity to become a number one contender. Throughout, the 30-year broadcast of Monday Night Raw there have been 13 ladder matches with some proving to be pay-per-view quality. Wrestlers are generally given less TV time than pay-per-view for a ladder match, but some have maximized their minutes to enthrall the audience.
13 Mankind Vs. Big Boss Man - 11/30/98
The inaugural ladder match to take place on Raw featured Mankind defending the Hardcore Championship against the Corporation's Head of Security, Big Boss Man. Neither man were ladder match specialists, so this bout was always going to be underwhelming.
The WWE Champion The Rock got involved in proceedings and he knocked Mankind off the ladder. Mankind was unable to stave off Boss Man and Rock with Boss Man retrieving the Hardcore Championship.
12 The Miz Vs. Dexter Lumis - 12/19/22
The Miz and Dexter Lumis clashed in a Winners Takes All ladder match for The Miz's cash. Lumis was in cruise control in the early stages of the match, and Lumis had chances to claim the money but Miz managed to scale the ladder to stop Lumis in his tracks.
Miz attacked Johnny Gargano with a ladder, ad Lumis attempted to put Miz through the broadcast table with a leg drop but he moved out of the way. In the closing stages, Bronson Reed returned to WWE and clobbered Lumis, and he helped Miz stand on the ladder to reclaim his money.
11 Mankind Vs. The Rock - 2/15/99
24 hours removed from their Last Man Standing match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House, Mankind and The Rock had a rematch in a ladder match for Mankind's WWE Championship. Steve Austin was at the broadcast table as he would face the winner for the gold at WrestleMania 15.
They had a decent match, and Rock put Mankind through the announce table with his patented Rock Bottom. For the second time in the space of three months, a Corporation member, this time Paul Wight screwed Mankind out of a championship with The Rock capturing his third WWE Championship.
10 Rob Van Dam Vs. Jeff Hardy - 7/22/02
Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy slugged it out in a ladder match with the winner becoming the Undisputed Intercontinental Champion. Hardy was the reigning European Champion, but that title was going to be retired after their bout.
It wasn't as good as their ladder match for the Hardcore Championship at SummerSlam 2001, but there were some callbacks from that match. Nevertheless, RVD continued his dominance over Hardy as he executed the Five-Star Frog Splash off the top of the ladder and he went on to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
9 The Hardy Boyz Vs. Edge & Christian - 9/25/00
There was no rest for the wicked as 24 hours after the Hardy Boyz beat Edge and Christian for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a steel cage match at Unforgiven 2000, they defended their newly won titles in a ladder match on Raw.
Credit has to be given to both teams for knocking it out of the park in the first tag team ladder match to take place on Raw. Edge speared Jeff off the top of the ladder, something he'd replicate at WrestleMania 17. The WWE Women's Champion Lita got involved in proceedings, and the Hardys managed to retain their titles.
8 Edge Vs. Matt Hardy - 10/3/05
The stakes were high in Edge and Matt Hardy's ladder match as Edge's Money in the Bank briefcase was hanging in the balance and the loser had to leave Raw. Edge outsmarted Hardy in the early stages by attacking Matt from behind and trying to retrieve the briefcase but to no avail.
Lita didn't hesitate to give the Rated-R Superstar help throughout the match. They had a competitive match but Edge tied Matt's arms to the ropes and Lita held him there with Edge scaling the ladder to retain the briefcase sending Matt to SmackDown in the process.
7 Andrade Vs. Rey Mysterio - 1/20/20
Rey Mysterio was looking to regain the United States Championship from Andrade. They clashed in a ladder match, which was the first ladder match on Raw in over 12 years. Andrade and Mysterio went back and forth, and Andrade connected with the Three Amigos, and the third suplex was onto a ladder.
Fans were going crazy for Mysterio to get the job done, but Andrade's manager Zelina Vega appeared at the top of the ladder and she slapped Mysterio. Andrade drove Mysterio through a ladder with the Hammerlock DDT, and he climbed up the ladder to retain the United States Championship.
6 Jeff Hardy Vs. Carlito - 12/10/07
On the 15th Anniversary of Raw, Jeff Hardy defended the Intercontinental Championship against Carlito in a ladder match. Hardy and Carlito have tremendous chemistry together so it was no surprise that they hit a home run in a superb ladder match.
Carlito scoop-slammed Jeff on a couple of ladders, and Jeff retaliated with Carlito writhing in pain. Jeff connected with the Swanton Bomb, and Carlito was going to retrieve the Intercontinental Championship, Jeff pushed him off the ladder and he retained the gold.
5 The Undertaker Vs. Jeff Hardy - 7/1/02
The Undertaker's Undisputed WWE Championship was hanging above the ring in a ladder match, and Undertaker's challenger was Jeff Hardy. Hardy had more experience than Undertaker in ladder matches, and he had to draw upon his experience to trouble Undertaker.
Jim Ross' commentary was outstanding with the soundbite alone giving fans at home goosebumps as Hardy was close to upsetting the odds. Undertaker spoiled Hardy's party by hitting him in the back with a steel chair and he went on to chokeslam him off the ladder en route to retaining his title.
4 Jeff Hardy Vs. Johnny Nitro - 11/20/06
Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro's rivalry over the Intercontinental Championship was one of the most underrated feuds in the Ruthless Aggression era. Their ladder match for Jeff's Intercontinental Title was marvelous with both men at the top of their games.
Melina was in Nitro's corner, and she was giving him support throughout. There were several high spots between the pair with Nitro's dropkick off the second rung knocking Jeff off was arguably the pick of the bunch. Ultimately, the Charismatic Enigma was triumphant as he trapped Nitro beneath the ladder.
3 Eddie Guerrero Vs. Rob Van Dam - 5/27/02
Eddie Guerrero defended the Intercontinental Championship against Rob Van Dam on the May 27, 2002, edition of Raw in a ladder match. This was a pay-per-view quality match with both men pulling out all of the stops to make this an enthralling contest.
Their match was one of the best matches of the year with some tremendous athleticism on show. Despite Eddie's effort, it wasn't enough as RVD knocked him off the ladder and RVD clinched his second Intercontinental Championship.
2 Seth Rollins Vs. Finn Balor Vs. Kevin Owens Vs. Rey Mysterio - 10/25/21
Four former World Champions Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, and Rey Mysterio were looking to get themselves back into World Championship contention. They squared off in a fatal-4-way ladder match with the winner going on to face Big E for the WWE Championship.
All four competitors gave it their best shot and the action was entertaining. Balor hauled himself over the top rope onto Mysterio and Rollins. That was a sensational spot but the Visionary was victorious, earning the right to become the number one contender for the WWE Championship.
1 Christian Vs. Rob Van Dam - 9/29/03
Christian defended the Intercontinental Championship against Rob Van Dam in a ladder match and they closed out Raw. This was the correct decision as both Christian and RVD are comfortable in ladder matches and their encounter did not fail to disappoint.
The reigning Intercontinental Champion regrouped after taking a nasty fall off the ladder as RVD knocked him off the ladder. Nonetheless, Christian had a good outing but he left Raw beltless with RVD securing his fourth Intercontinental Championship.
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