10 Images Showcasing Precise Moments Wrestlers Got Over

4. Climbing The Ladder

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WWE Network

Contrary to the pervasive everyone-was-over-in-the-Attitude-era-myth, Edge and Christian drew only mild reactions (by the standards of the time) as part of the Brood stable with Gangrel.

Similarly, The Hardy Boyz throughout 1999 were perceived very much as a fairly entertaining undercard act with a visible ceiling over their heads. Matt and Jeff, in face roles, were even met with jeers when they dethroned the Acolytes for their first WWF Tag Team Titles on the July 5 RAW through the heel chicanery of manager Michael Hayes, who undermined their youth appeal.

The events of No Mercy on October 17 literally hoisted them to a lofty position of acceptance. Their absolutely wild "Terri Invitational Ladder Match" was a sensation unlike anything the WWF had presented previously. It was the birth of the spot fest in WWE, and all four young men put themselves in incredible danger to put this new style over.

So intoxicating was the match that No Mercy is defined by it, not the stellar Anything Goes WWE Title main event between Steve Austin and Triple H. They stole the show and attention away from the main event, using their war as a platform on which to develop the confidence to flesh out their winning midcard acts.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!