5 greatest matches in Extreme Rules history

#4 Edge vs. Jeff Hardy - Ladder Match (Extreme Rules 2009)

To build up this Extreme Rules encounter, WWE played up the history of both men and the stipulation chosen for their contest, the Ladder Match. Edge and Jeff Hardy made their names in the business through their TLC encounters in the early 2000s as part of Edge & Christian and the Hardy Boyz, respectively, along with the Dudley Boyz.

This was not the only history these men had before this huge match at Extreme Rules. At Armageddon in December 2018, Jeff won his first WWE Championship by defeating Edge in a triple threat match with Triple H. Then, at Royal Rumble, Edge regained the title by taking advantage of Jeff's brother, Matt, betraying him.

Here’s an alternate view of “that spear” with @JEFFHARDYBRAND which happened 19 years ago today at WrestleMania 17. It came define the first chapter of my career. At WrestleMania 36 I define the second chapter vs @RandyOrton #LastManStanding pic.twitter.com/hOLbzKWagq

— Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) April 2, 2020

This was a grueling encounter that was more physical than their car crash style ladder matches of the past. Both men had gotten older and much better with in-ring psychology to the point that the ladder was just another tool to tell the story of their match here at Extreme Rules.

Of course, with these two men, there was going to be some crazy spots and bumps. And there were, like Jeff leaning the ladder over to once again hanging from the title similar to the scene at WrestleMania 17 or both men falling from one ladder through another on the outside.

In the dramatic conclusion, Jeff was able to wedge Edge in the rungs of the ladder, so the Rated-R Superstar had to watch his rival go up and grab the gold for the win. This was a fun main event and definitive end to their rivalry. Post-match, Jeff's celebration was cut short as CM Punk turned heel and cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to defeat Hardy to close Extreme Rules 2009.