A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling that is most commonly used to describe a match where an item (usually a title belt) is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item.[1] The ladder itself becomes a key feature of the match, as wrestlers will use the ladder as a weapon to strike the opponent(s), as a launching pad for acrobatic attacks, and frequently these matches include impressive falls from the top of the ladder.[1] However, there were very few matches in which the hung item must be used in a special manner in order to win the match, such as striking the opponent with the item (see Bam Bam Bigelow Vs. Scott Hall Tazer match, where one must strike the opponent with the Tazer, regardless of who retrieved the Tazer first).
Ladder matches are often used as a finale to storylines and it is more common to have symbolic briefcases (usually "containing" a contract for a future championship match) or championships belts hung above the ring. Ladder matches and their variants (such as TLC and Full Metal Mayhem) are often used in feuds that involve a dispute over possession of an item (such as a stolen title belt or the "paperwork" for the contractual services of a manager). Ladder matches are almost always fought under no disqualification rules.
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The ladder match could have been invented by either Dan Kroffat of the Stampede Wrestling organization out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada or British wrestler Kendo Nagasaki. In September 1972, Stampede Wrestling held the first-ever ladder match between Dan Kroffat and Tor Kamata, where the object to be grabbed was a wad of money.[2] In 1971, Kendo Nagasaki competed in a ladder match on the popular World of Sport.
In July 1983, Stampede Wrestling held a ladder match where Bret Hart faced off against Bad News Brown. Hart went on to join the WWF and suggested this type of match to promoter Vince McMahon, where the gimmick achieved its current popularity.
The first ever ladder match in the WWE was Bret Hart v. Shawn Michaels and the outcome was Bret Hart leaving as the first ever wrestler in the WWE to win a ladder match.
| No. | Match | Stipulations | Event | Date and Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bret Hart defeated Shawn Michaels[3] | Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship | WWF Wrestling Challenge | July 21, 1992 Portland, ME |
| 2 | Razor Ramon defeated Shawn Michaels[4][5] | Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship | WrestleMania X | March 20, 1994 New York, NY |
| 3 | Shawn Michaels defeated Razor Ramon[6][7] | Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship | SummerSlam | August 27, 1995 Pittsburgh, PA |
| 4 | Shawn Michaels defeated Goldust[8][9][10] | Ladder match for the WWF Championship | WWF X-Perience House Show | August 24, 1996 Toronto, ON, Canada |
| 5 | Triple H defeated The Rock[11][12] | Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship | SummerSlam | August 30, 1998 New York, NY |
| 6 | The Big Boss Man defeated Mankind[13] | Ladder match for the WWF Hardcore Championship | RAW is WAR | November 30, 1998 Baltimore, MD |
| 7 | The Rock defeated Mankind[14] | Ladder match for the WWF Championship | RAW is WAR | February 15, 1999 Birmingham, AL |
| 8 | Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon defeated Steve Austin[15][16] | Handicap ladder match for 100% WWF ownership | King of the Ring | June 27, 1999 Greensboro, NC |
| 9 | New Brood (Matt and Jeff Hardy) defeated Edge and Christian[17][18] | Tag Team ladder match in the final of Terri Invitational Tournament to win Terri Runnels' managerial services and $100,000 | No Mercy | October 17, 1999 Cleveland, OH |
| 10 | Edge & Christian defeated The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz[19][20] | Triangle ladder match for the WWF Tag Team Championship | WrestleMania 2000 | April 2, 2000 Anaheim, CA |
| 11 | The Hardy Boyz defeated Edge & Christian[21] | Tag Team ladder match for the WWF Tag Team Championship | RAW is WAR | September 25, 2000 State College, PA |
| 12 | Chris Jericho defeated Chris Benoit[22][23] | Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship | Royal Rumble | January 21, 2001 New Orleans, LA |
| 13 | Kurt Angle defeated Chris Benoit[24] | Third fall in the Best Two out of Three Falls Match for Kurt Angle's Olympic Gold Medals | Judgment Day | May 20, 2001 Sacramento, CA |
| 14 | Rob Van Dam defeated Jeff Hardy[25] | Ladder match for the WWF Hardcore Championship | SummerSlam | August 19, 2001 San Jose, CA |
| 15 | Edge defeated Christian[26] | Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship | No Mercy | October 21, 2001 St. Louis, MO |
| 16 | Rob Van Dam defeated Eddie Guerrero[27] | Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | WWE Raw | May 27, 2002 Edmonton, AB, Canada |
| 17 | The Undertaker defeated Jeff Hardy[28] | Ladder match for the WWE Undisputed Championship | WWE Raw | July 1, 2002 Manchester, NH |
| 18 | Rob Van Dam defeated Jeff Hardy[29] | Ladder match to unify the WWE Intercontinental Championship and the European Championship | WWE Raw | July 22, 2002 Grand Rapids, MI |
| 19 | Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels[30] | Third fall in a Three Stages of Hell match for the World Heavyweight Championship | Armageddon | December 15, 2002 Sunrise, FL |
| 20 | Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri defeated Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin[31] | Tag Team ladder match for the WWE Tag Team Championship | Judgment Day | May 18, 2003 Charlotte, NC |
| 21 | Rob Van Dam defeated Christian[32] | Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | WWE Raw | September 29, 2003 Rosemont, IL |
| 22 | Chris Jericho defeated Christian[33] | Ladder match for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship | Unforgiven | September 12, 2004 Portland, OR |
| 23 | Kurt Angle defeated Mike Haywood[34] | Angle Invitational ladder match | SmackDown! | March 10, 2005 Roanoke, VA |
| 24 | Rey Mysterio defeated Eddie Guerrero[35] | Ladder match for the custody of Dominick | SummerSlam | August 21, 2005 Washington, D.C. |
| 25 | Edge (with Lita) defeated Matt Hardy[36] | Loser Leaves Raw for Money in the Bank | WWE Homecoming | October 3, 2005 Dallas, TX |
| 26 | Sabu defeated Rob Van Dam[37] | To become the No. 1 Contender for the ECW World Championship | ECW on Sci Fi | August 15, 2006 Washington, D.C. |
| 27 | Rob Van Dam defeated The Big Show[38] | To become the No. 1 Contender for the ECW World Championship | ECW on Sci Fi | October 24, 2006 St. Louis, MO |
| 28 | Jeff Hardy defeated Johnny Nitro[39] | Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | WWE Raw | November 20, 2006 Baltimore, MD |
| 29 | Paul London and Brian Kendrick defeated William Regal & Dave Taylor, MNM, and The Hardys[40] | Ladder match for the WWE Tag Team Championship | Armageddon | December 17, 2006 Richmond, VA |
| 30 | Jeff Hardy defeated Johnny Nitro, Shelton Benjamin and Carlito[41] | Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | Raw House Show | December 26, 2006 Albany, NY |
| 31 | Jeff Hardy defeated Johnny Nitro and Carlito[42] | Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | Raw House Show | December 27, 2006 Rochester, NY |
| 32 | Jeff Hardy defeated Johnny Nitro and Carlito[43] | Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | Raw House Show | December 30, 2006 Greensboro, NC |
| 33 | The Hardys defeated Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin[44] | Tag Team ladder match for the World Tag Team Championship | One Night Stand | June 3, 2007 Jacksonville, FL |
| 34 | Jeff Hardy defeated Carlito[45] | Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | WWE Raw's 15th Anniversary | December 10, 2007 Bridgeport, CT |
| 35 | Chris Jericho defeated Shawn Michaels | Ladder match for the World Heavyweight Championship | No Mercy | October 5, 2008 Portland, OR |
| 36 | Jeff Hardy defeated Edge | Ladder match for the World Heavyweight Championship | Extreme Rules | June 7, 2009 New Orleans, LA |
| 37 | Christian defeated Shelton Benjamin | Ladder match for the ECW Championship | TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs | December 13, 2009 San Antonio, Texas |
| 38 | Dolph Ziggler (c) defeated Kofi Kingston and Jack Swagger[46] | Triple Threat Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs | December 19, 2010 Houston, Texas |
| 39 | John Morrison defeated King Sheamus[47] | Ladder match for the #1 contender spot to the WWE Championship | ||
| 40 | Christian defeated Alberto Del Rio | Ladder match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship | Extreme Rules | May 1, 2011 Tampa, Florida |
| 41 | Triple H defeated Kevin Nash | Sledgehammer Ladder match (A sledgehammer was hung above the ring and could be used as a weapon once a participant grabbed it. The winner could have been decided by pinfall or submission.) | TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs | December 18, 2011 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Number | Match | Event, Date and Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Eddie Guerrero defeated Syxx to retain the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship[48] | Souled Out January 25, 1997, Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
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| II | Bill Goldberg defeated Scott Hall (Tazer match)[49] | Souled Out January 17, 1999, Charleston, West Virginia |
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| III | Bam Bam Bigelow fought Scott Hall to a no-contest[50] | WCW Monday Nitro January 25, 1999, Dallas, Texas |
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| IV | Scott Hall defeated Bret Hart, Bill Goldberg, and Sid Vicious to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship[1] | WCW Monday Nitro November 8, 1999, Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| V | Chris Benoit defeated Jeff Jarrett to retain the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship[51] | Starrcade December 19, 1999, Washington, D.C. |
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| VI | Jeff Jarrett defeated Chris Benoit to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship[2] | WCW Monday Nitro December 20, 1999, Baltimore, Maryland |
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| VII | The Jung Dragons (Jamie-San, Kaz Hayashi, and Yun Yang) defeated 3 Count (Shane Helms, Shannon Moore, and Evan Karagias)[3] | WCW Nitro July 18, 2000, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
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| VIII | 3 Count defeated The Jung Dragons[52] | New Blood Rising August 13, 2000, Vancouver, British Columbia |
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| IX | Konnan and Rey Misterio Jr. defeated The Boogie Knights (Alex Wright and Disco Inferno)[4] | WCW Monday Nitro October 2, 2000, San Francisco, California |
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| X | 3 Count (Shane Helms and Shannon Moore) defeated The Jung Dragons (Yun Yang and Kaz Hayashi) (w/Leia Meow) and Jamie Knoble and Evan Karagias to became the Co-No.1 Contender of WCW Cruiserweight Championship[53] | Starrcade December 17, 2000, Washington, D.C. |
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| Number | Match | Event, Date and Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Sabu defeated Malice | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 5 July 13, 2002, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| II | Ken Shamrock fought Sabu to a no-contest | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 6 July 24, 2002, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| III | Jerry Lynn defeated Low Ki and A.J. Styles to win the NWA X Division Championship | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 11 August 28, 2002, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| IV | Jerry Lynn defeated A.J. Styles to retain the NWA X Division Championship | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 14 October 2, 2002, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| V | Syxx-Pac defeated Tony Mamaluke, Jose Maximo, Joel Maximo, Kid Kash, A.J. Styles, Ace Steel, Rick Michaels, & Chris Michaels to win the vacated NWA X Division Championship | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 15 October 9, 2002, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| VI | Raven defeated A.J. Styles to become the #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 36 March 19, 2003, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| VII | Dusty Rhodes defeated Brian Lawler | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 39 April 9, 2003, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| VIII | Abyss defeated A.J. Styles to become #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 85 March 19, 2004, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| IX | Eric Young defeated Mr. Águila, Jerry Lynn, and Taichi Ishikari to advance in the TNA World X Cup. | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 95 May 26, 2004, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| X | The Naturals (Chase Stevens and Andy Douglas) defeated America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. | NWA:TNA Weekly PPV # 102 July 14, 2004, Nashville, Tennessee |
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| XI | Jeff Jarrett defeated Jeff Hardy to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | TNA Victory Road November 5, 2004, Orlando, Florida. |
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| XII | Abyss defeated Jeff Hardy (in Full Metal Mayhem) to become #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. | TNA Against All Odds February 13, 2005, Orlando, Florida |
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| XIII | Christian Cage defeated Abyss to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (in Full Metal Mayhem) | TNA Sacrifice May 14, 2006, Orlando, Florida |
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| XIV | LAX (Homicide & Hernandez) defeated America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris & James Storm) in a Flag Match. | TNA Turning Point December 10, 2006, Orlando, Florida |
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| XV | Jerry Lynn defeated Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Austin Starr, and Senshi to become #1 contender for the TNA X Division Championship. | TNA Impact! February 22, 2007, Orlando, Florida |
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| XVI | Abyss and Sting defeated Christian Cage and A.J. Styles for Abyss to face Cage at Hard Justice 2007. | TNA Impact! August 2, 2007, Orlando, Florida |
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| XVII | Kaz defeated Christian Cage to become #1 Contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. | Genesis 2007 November 11, 2007, Orlando, Florida |
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| XVIII | Johnny Devine and Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) defeated Jay Lethal and The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) to retain possession of the TNA X Division Championship. | TNA Impact! December 6, 2007, Orlando, Florida |
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| XIX | Kaz defeated A.J. Styles (the stipulation for this match was the loser had to wear a reindeer costume) | TNA Impact! December 20, 2007, Orlando, Florida |
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| XX | James Storm defeated Eric Young to win the TNA World Beer Drinking Championship | TNA Impact! March 4, 2008 Orlando, Florida | ||
| XXI | Gail Kim defeated Roxxi Laveaux to earn a future shot at the TNA Women's Knockout Championship1 | Sacrifice May 11, 2008 Orlando, Florida | ||
| XXII | A.J. Styles defeated Kurt Angle to win Angle's olympic gold medal | TNA Impact! August 28, 2008, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXIII | Sonjay Dutt defeated Jay Lethal | Ladder of Love match No Surrender September 14, 2008, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
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| XXIV | Abyss and Matt Morgan defeated Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon), LAX (Homicide and Hernandez) and Tanahashi and Volador to earn a future shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship | TNA Impact! October 23, 2008, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXV | Sojournor Bolt defeated Taylor Wilde to earn a future shot at the TNA Women's Knockout Championship | TNA Impact! November 6, 2008, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXVI | Alex Shelley defeated Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, and Consequences Creed to retain the TNA X Division Championship | TNA Impact! February 23, 2009, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXVII | Amazing Red defeated Jay Lethal, Consequences Creed, Sheik Abdul Bashir, and Kiyoshi to become the number one contender for the TNA X Division Championship | TNA Impact! October 1, 2009, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXVIII | Kazarian defeated Amazing Red, Brian Kendrick and Daniels to become the number one contender to the TNA X Division Championship | Destination X March 21, 2010, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXIX | Mr. Anderson defeated Kurt Angle to win the keys to the steel cage door at Lockdown | TNA Impact! April 5, 2010, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXX | Jeremy Buck defeated Douglas Williams | TNA Impact! July 8, 2010, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXXI | Rob Van Dam defeated Abyss to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship | TNA Impact The Whole F'N Show! August 12, 2010, Orlando Florida |
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| XXXII | Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm and Robert Roode) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) | TNA Impact! July 15, 2010, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXXIII | A.J. Styles defeated Sabu | TNA Impact! September 23, 2010, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXXIV | Jeff Hardy defeated Mr. Anderson to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship | Against All Odds February 13, 2011, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXXV | Matt Morgan defeated A.J. Styles, Gunner and Samoa Joe to earn ten points in the Bound for Glory Series | Impact Wrestling July 21, 2011, Orlando, Florida |
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| XXXVI | Brian Kendrick defeated Alex Shelley, Jesse Sorensen, Kid Kash and Zema Ion to become #1 contender for the TNA X Division Championship. | Impact Wrestling September 29, 2011, Orlando, Florida |
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(1) This match began off as a Battle Royal but when it came down to 2 competitors it became a ladder match.
(2) The big red X, usually associated with the Ultimate X match, was used instead of a belt to win the match.