The TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs) matches have its signature on the WWE programming. WWE Universe loved this gimmick-based show ever since the inception. Over the years, the company has tried to put over various such gimmicks into the PPV shows. Meanwhile, WWE TLC is perhaps the most popular in this division. It did not see a miss since the first edition in 2009. Also, the fans also wait for this particular show of the year where most of the matches take place under special rules.
The main event gets hosted under the Tables, Ladders and Chairs rules making it a must watch. Superstars like Edge, CM Punk, Jeff Hardy and Dudley Boyz raised the bar high for this particular gimmick. Cut to the recent times; the superstars tried to keep the quality to the same extent as these legends. However, the first match under Tables, Ladders, and Chairs took place in the year 2000. Since then, we have seen 19 contests under this particular stipulation in the past 18 years.
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Now, days ahead of the WWE TLC 2018, we list out the best five matches contested under the Tables, Ladders and Chairs rules.
Honorable mention: Edge vs. Kane vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio (WWE TLC 2010)
Edge, the sculptor of Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match ushered a new era in his final contest under this capacity. It was the first-ever fatal-4-way match of its kind to become one of the headliners of this 2010 event. There were multiple spots in this match swinging it to any of the four men’s favour on a random basis.
Rey Mysterio sent Alberto Del Rio to fall through four tables kept outside the ring to keep him neutralised. Later, Kane delivered the Tombstone Piledriver to Rey but forgot about the Ultimate Opportunist, Edge.
Meanwhile, the rated-R superstar was waiting to hit a picture perfect spear off the apron on Kane through a table to become the only one standing in the ring. Thus, Edge captured the 10th world heavyweight championship of his career entering a club featuring only a handful of superstars. Moreover, this particular win cemented Edge’s legacy in the TLC matches.
5. Edge vs. The Undertaker (One Night Stand 2008)
Edge had already become the specialist of Tables, Ladders, and Chairs during his illustrious career. This match against The Undertaker took his status to a whole different level. He could have solidified his spot as one of the strongest heels-cum champions of all-time. The stakes were much higher, as the two legends walked into the One Night Stand TLC match to claim the vacated World Heavyweight Championship belt. Additionally, Vickie Guerrero announced The Undertaker would have to leave the WWE if he loses the match.
It was a significant advantage for the master manipulator Edge who brought the entire La Familia with him to create a five-on-one scenario. Meanwhile, it was entirely legal under the TLC rules. The Phenome was able to defy the odds and pushed his opponent through a pile of tables.
However, the faction saved the day for the Rated-R Superstar who sent The Deadman crashing through the tables outside the ring. This fall is one of the greatest TLC moments of all-time that allowed Edge to claim his fourth world championship in the WWE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxLaPq7mz9s
4. Team Hell No and Ryback vs. The Shield (TLC 2012)
The Tables, Ladders and Chairs gimmick might have got a bit soft following the retirement of Edge in 2010 until this match happened. Another specialist of TLC, CM Punk was the original contestant of it against Ryback.
However, he could not compete in this due to an injury paving the way for The Shield to perform in their debut match. The match concluded indicating these were meant to stay in the main event scene.
Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns worked as a team to destroy their opponents, systematically. They buried Kane underneath a pile of chairs, whereas, Ryback received the pendant Shield powerbomb through the commentary table. Daniel Bryan tried to fend off with some resistance, but he was no matchup to the combined strength provided by the Hounds of Justice.
Meanwhile, the heel picked up the win not before Seth Rollins took a nasty bump to make the match a memorable affair. This match is so famous because three youngsters delivered their absolute bests to prevail on the veteran names put against them. No wonder they continued ruling the WWE in the following years.
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3. CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy (Summerslam 2009)
This match brought a proper end to a heated rivalry going on for quite some time on Smackdown. CM Punk made the life miserable for a fun-loving person like Jeff Hardy. He brought in Hardy’s past addiction issues to heat the intensity of the match.
It resulted in the highly dramatic Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship. The Stapled Center in Los Angeles was home to this contest.
The biggest spot of this match marked a death-defying jump off Jeff Hardy on CM Punk through the commentary table. The Straight Edge Superstar was still able to come back into the contest pointing out why he is one of the best when it comes to the TLC matches. The younger Hardy tried to come back but fell victim to his leap of faith.
CM Punk became the winner in this match which is a pure gem in a pro-wrestling context. Both this superstars were able to solidify their legacy in the Tables, Ladders and Chairs environment. As an additional bonus, The Undertaker returned after the match to make it another memorable Summerslam moment for the fans.
2. John Cena vs. Edge (Unforgiven 2006)
This match was another gem to come out of Edge’s arsenal alongside his nemesis, John Cena. The capacity of the contest was so much high, as the Cenation Leader walked into a hostile territory of Canada. Edge’s hometown was backing him up to the fullest extent to make sure he wins the match. The added stipulation of the match was that if Cena loses, he will be out of Edge’s life forever. The reality turned out to be different, but not before we saw a show-stellar performance from both the superstars.
John Cena took the first big bump of the match off the ladder proving that he was not afraid to go all the way to deliver a successful match.
He also digested a super spear from Edge from the ladder steps. The golden boy of the WWE returned the favour to his bitter rival by executing an Attitude Adjustment through two tables. Eventually, it turned out to be the final bump of the match that witnessed Cena taking the gold home.
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It also marked the end of Edge and John Cena’s rivalry, part I. But the crowd gave a standing ovation to the Rated R Superstar while he was leaving the ring. It marked the beginning for him to feature on the main event scene on a constant basis leading up to a Wrestlemania main-event in 2008.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbtMyTpYQXI
1. Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardyz (Wrestlemania 17)
Even after 17 years passing by, this match remains the greatest-ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match of all-time. Ironically, it happened in the same show that some might say the greatest Wrestlemania ever, too.
It was originally a follow-up match from TLC-I back in Summerslam 2000. The bad blood remained quite high among the three of them who decided to settle the score only via a second match under the TLC rules. As if the competitors were not worthy enough, run-ins from Rhyno, Spike Dudley and Lita made the contest look even more chaotic.
Then came the framed picture of Edge spearing a dangling Jeff Hardy on the top of a 20-feet high ladder. This iconic moment is and always will be a staple for WWE TLC and Wrestlemania moments. The number disadvantage was not a bar for Edge and Christian, as they left the building with the tag team championships around their shoulder.
The speciality of this match is that the WWE creative team recalled the earlier moments in their rivalry and performed stunts according to it. It is where superstars can come up with great stories. When it comes to the participants of this particular match, they paved the way to usher a new era under the Tables, Ladder and Chairs gimmick. There you have the birth of WWE’s version of Demolition Derby.
