10 Best WWE TLC Matches EVER - According To Dave Meltzer

2. Edge & Christian Vs The Hardy Boyz Vs The Dudley Boyz (SummerSlam 2000, ****1/2)

Ryback Seth Rollins
WWE.com

The very first and almost the best, the match was first devised as much for Mick Foley to make Wizard Of Oz jokes as it was build on sensational ladder matches featuring Edge, Christian, The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz.

But SummerSlam 2000's breathtaking triple threat yet again redefined the possibilities of a wrestling stunt show, taking the riskiest elements of concepts only previously tiptoed around and weaving them into the narrative structure of a pro wrestling chase for gold.

Allegedly the backstage architects of destruction, Edge, Matt Hardy and Bubba Ray Dudley helped intricately sew the traditional single issue in between a selection of jaw-dropping bumps that almost certainly took years of careers. Bubba's and Matt's were perhaps the most frightening of the lot.

As the match raced towards a climax, each performer readied themselves for a final fall. Like an orchestral crescendo, bodies crashed and boomed like cymbals and gongs as the big finish emerged.

Bubba flew first, falling from the centre of the ring through four tables on the floor. Edge and Christian were double-crotched after Lita freed the ladder up for Matt to climb. He was then terrifyingly tipped backwards onto more ringside tables, leaving Lita herself exposed to a Spear from Edge that saw her inches off busting the back of her head open on a ladder. D-Von and Jeff were the last to suffer. 'E&C' launched a ladder at them as they hung defencelessly from the belts themselves.

The champions scuttled up to retain their titles, and were then helped away immediately through a sea of annihilated challengers.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett