Retro Wednesday: The Tables, Ladders And Chairs Match Is Born
In the late 1990s-early 2000s, WWE established a highly intriguing tag team division, primarily led by three teams?Edge & Christian, the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz. The rivalries of these teams led to many hard-hitting and spot-filled matches that highlighted the division. With the intensity of the rivalries, coupled with each team's specialty hardcore item of choice, a Triangle Ladder Match occurred at WrestleMania 2000.
The success of this match prompted the WWE to book another match. This time, it was aptly named a TLC match. The specialty of the Dudley Boyz being tables, the Hardy Boyz being ladders, and Edge & Christian being chairs.
This match occurred at Summerslam 2000, and was for the tag team championships held by Edge and Christian. In a show-stealing match, Edge & Christian won the match and retained the titles. This bout was tied for the highest rated of the year, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The success of this match led to a rematch at WrestleMania 17, in which Edge & Christian won again, this time regaining the tag team titles. Their first and only loss was the following TLC match, which occurred on an episode of SmackDown in a four-way match against Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit, and TLC rivals the Dudley Boyz and Hardy Boyz.
The TLC match grown so much in popularity, that a PPV in honor of the match was established in 2009.
Edge has made the most appearances (7) as well as obtained the most victories (5). CM Punk is undefeated in TLC matches, competing and winning against Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam 2009, the Miz and Alberto Del Rio at TLC 2011, and Ryback on the 20th Anniversary show of Raw.
This match has proven throughout the years to be one of the most exciting matches, and will continue to generate shock and awe in the future.
Out of the 15 TLC matches, which one is your favorite? Sound off below.
Author's Link: Anaylzing every Slammy Award winner, TLC predictions, future of the Shield, Royal Rumble 1988-1993