The inception of the TLC match came in 2000 during the rivalry of Edge & Christian vs the Hardy Boyz vs the Dudley Boyz. Ladder matches were already highly popular, but the addition of tables and chairs added even more chaos. WWE witnessed the TLC match become a huge attraction for over two decades now.
The success of the stipulation even made WWE create a PPV named after the match. Personal rivalries or world title matches are usually used as the reasoning for such a violent match. The early stages of the match showcased why it became such a success. Find out which matches stand out strongest with the first ten of the TLC stipulation ranked from worst to best.
10 The Miz Vs Jerry Lawler (Raw: November 29, 2010)
The WWE Championship reign of The Miz is often forgotten outside of the rivalry with John Cena. One of the short-term programs for Miz with the title on the line featured him feuding with legendary wrestler and color commentator Jerry Lawler.
The odd booking would see the older Lawler challenging Miz in a TLC match on Raw. Neither man was known for their high-flying skills and the limitations of Lawler led to a lackluster TLC match that few fans remember.
9 Edge Vs Ric Flair (Raw: January 16, 2006)
The TLC match between Edge and Ric Flair set the story that WWE tried to replicate with The Miz and Jerry Lawler. Flair was the veteran here, but he was still active at time and had a feud going with Edge before Edge won the WWE Championship.
Raw was the show where this TLC match took place with Edge retaining over Flair. Despite being a few years away from retirement, Flair did his best to make it work. This would never be considered the top TLC match, but it did the stipulation proud.
8 D-Generation X Vs Chris Jericho & Big Show (TLC 2009)
WWE tried to use star power for the tag division in late 2009 at the new TLC PPV. Shawn Michaels was in the final few months of his career having one more run with Triple H teaming in D-Generation X. The heel team of Chris Jericho and Big Show became their top rivals.
All four future Hall of Famers told a different story with less high spots and more violence utilizing the tables, ladders and chairs. The final spot of Jericho falling off Big Show’s shoulders to the floor through tables ended the impressive match in brutal fashion.
7 Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit Vs Edge & Christian Vs The Hardy Boyz Vs The Dudley Boyz (Smackdown: May 24, 2001)
The initial tag team rivalry to make the TLC match important would see a fourth team to the mix. Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho were the WWE Tag Team Champions when tasked with defending against the Dudley Boyz, Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian on Smackdown.
The red-hot momentum for Jericho and Benoit added to the star power of the match. This was arguably the best match in Smackdown history at the time with an instant classic. Benoit and Jericho retained to continue their tag title reign ahead of their program with Steve Austin for the WWE Championship.
6 Edge Vs The Undertaker (One Night Stand 2008)
The Undertaker took on one of the biggest challenges of his career when facing Edge in a TLC match at One Night Stand 2008. WWE added another stipulation of Undertaker being forced to leave the company if he lost the match.
Edge and Undertaker delivered a great match with the legend taking part in quite a few risky spots. The rivalry between both legends helped carry WWE in 2008 with strong matches all year long. Many fans would argue the TLC bout was their best.
5 Kane Vs Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley Vs Jeff Hardy & Rob Van Dam Vs Christian & Chris Jericho (Raw: October 7, 2002)
Raw Roulette created the opportunity for WWE to promote another TLC match on Raw back in 2002. Three wrestlers from the prior TLC tag matches were allowed to pick new partners on the Raw brand to challenge Kane with his partner The Hurricane out due to injury.
Kane won the incredible bout against all odds against the duos of Christian & Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy & Rob Van Dam, and Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley. The carnage all over the ringside area won this the Match of the Decade award during Raw’s 10th year anniversary special.
4 CM Punk Vs Jeff Hardy (SummerSlam 2009)
The personal rivalry between CM Punk and Jeff Hardy created some compelling promos and matches over the World Championship. Punk found his voice as the straight edge heel character running down Hardy for his personal issues.
SummerSlam 2009 was the stage for the big blow-off with the TLC stipulation. The outstanding match closed the show with Punk regaining the World Championship before Hardy left the company. WWE told a great story worthy of such a stipulation.
3 Edge & Christian Vs The Hardy Boyz Vs The Dudley Boyz (SummerSlam 2000)
WWE introduced the TLC match back at SummerSlam 2000 for the first time to put the feud of the Hardy Boyz vs Dudley Boyz vs Edge & Christian on another level. All three teams tore it up at WrestleMania 16 months earlier in a ladder match that featured tables and chairs.
The natural progression was to create the TLC match with all three weapons allowed and encouraged. This first match was a huge hit with Edge and Christian pulling off the victory. WWE realized the match was going to stick around for a while after such a strong debut.
2 John Cena Vs Edge (Unforgiven 2006)
The feud between John Cena and Edge helped both men at the right time in their legendary careers. Cena found his groove as the face of the company with Edge becoming the top heel who had strong chemistry with his rival.
WWE built their rivalry into Unforgiven 2006 for the massive TLC match in Edge’s hometown of Toronto, Canada. The importance of the match made it arguably the biggest attraction of 2006. Cena won the title in a great bout that featured both men putting their bodies in harm the entire time. Both men have called this an important match in their careers.
1 Edge & Christian Vs The Hardy Boyz Vs The Dudley Boyz (WrestleMania 17)
WWE ran with the TLC match for the three legendary teams at WrestleMania 17. This was the second official TLC match with the third ladder-related match for Edge & Christian, the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz in a year.
Most fans agree this was easily the best with the additions of Rhyno, Lita and Spike Dudley all adding to the fun. WrestleMania 17 is considered the best Mania in WWE history with this standing out as the game-changer that added something the other contenders lacked.