TLC has been an event that was once one of the biggest and most entertaining matches that WWE had to offer. Commencing at WrestleMania 2000, the idea of this match was originally labelled a Triangle Match and was the result of an intense feud, between the tag teams of Edge & Christian, the Hardy Boyz, and the Dudley Boyz.
At SummerSlam, the “Tables, Ladders, and Chairs” match was an instant classic, and once again happened at the following WrestleMania pay per view.
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Sixteen years later, there has been a total of 19 TLC matches. Some matches involved multiple contestants, while some were a compilation of tag teams. The match itself is nearly always suspenseful and has left a number of memorable moments.
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Here are the top five best TLC matches of all time.
Honourable Mention: Randy Orton vs. John Cena – TLC, 12/15/13
The TLC match between John Cena and Randy Orton was, perhaps, the most pivotal match of the entire series. Unifying the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships, Orton was able to defeat John Cena to claim the victory and become the dual champion.
Soon after, both belts were merged into what is now the WWE World Championship. This moment was also the beginning of the end of spectators seeing the legendary Big Gold Belt.
#5 AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose – TLC, 12/4/16
The recent match between AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose was certainly one of the greatest TLC matches of all time. While the feud has been a bit redundant, this match showed that both competitors are two of the best that WWE has to offer, which is why they are in the main event picture for SmackDown Live.
From the flip suplex onto the chairs, to the elbow drop to the announcer’s table off the ladder, and every other crazy spot that was in the match, it would be hard for anyone to argue that the bout is not a Match of the Year candidate.
#4 Team Hell No & Ryback vs. The Shield – TLC, 12/16/12
The Shield trio of Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins caused quite the stir in professional wrestling.
They debuted just a month before at Survivor Series and cost Ryback an opportunity to win the WWE Championship. This match was one of the most all-over-the-place and hard-hitting TLC bout of them all, with Seth Rollins making a quick splash with the sick bump that he took during the match.
In the end, the Shield came out victorious and continued to run roughshod over their competition.
#3 John Cena vs. Edge – Unforgiven, 9/17/06
John Cena has been the biggest star of the last 15 years. Throughout this time, he has had a number of rivalries in his quest to be a 15-time world champion. One of these feuds, which is arguably his best, was against the 11-time World Champion, Edge.
At Unforgiven 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the two had one of their best matches ever. Both combatants over the years have helped each other reach the status they have now attained, and this TLC match showed how both were willing to put on a great exhibition for spectators, both in the arena and watching on TV.
#2 Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit vs. Edge/Christian vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz – SmackDown, 5/24/01
At WrestleMania 17, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin pulled a major shocker when he aligned with his bitter rival Vince McMahon, by turning heel against The Rock and winning the WWE Championship. On the SmackDown following the pay per view, Triple H was able to defeat Chris Jericho to win the Intercontinental Championship.
This prompted an alliance of Austin and Triple H, known as the “Two-man Power Trip” or simply “The Power Trip”. The following pay per view, they were able to defeat The Undertaker and Kane to win the WWE Tag Team Championship.
A month later, on the 5/21/01 episode of Monday Night Raw, one of the biggest upsets in tag team title history occurred; underdogs Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit were able to defeat The Power Trip to become tag team champions. The following SmackDown, they were able to retain the titles in a TLC match, against the three teams that popularised it.
#1 Edge & Christian vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz – WrestleMania 17, 4/1/01
This match still sets the foundation and the bar when it comes to TLC matches. Three of the best teams during that era, and arguably of all time, showcased the ability to command reaction from the crowd.
Not only did this match create such an amazing 15 minutes of heart-pounding action, but it also helped propel the solo careers of both Edge and Christian, who won the match. Both competitors would eventually go on to be multi-time world champions, but credit that night as a pivotal moment that put them on the map.
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