20 Greatest WWE Royal Rumble Undercard Matches

11. Chris Jericho Vs. Chris Benoit (2001)

Matt Hardy Powerbombed through a table Royal Rumble 2000
WWE.com

Like all of Chris Benoit's matches (including one more on this list), the usual separation is needed in order to distinguish the pro-wrestler from his final days. If as a fan, you are able to make that distinction, his Intercontinental Title Ladder Match with Chris Jericho is essential viewing.

The Canadians flew out of the blocks with several energetic exchanges in the opening few minutes, only introducing the ladder at a point when one of them appeared subdued enough to allow an attempt at the title. The two then incorporated it into a series of wince-inducing attacks, including an Irish Whip to Jericho into the ladder that saw man and metal cascade to the floor in a heap.

After a wince-inducing suicide dive into a steel chair by Benoit, the two engaged in further innovative ladder spots until finally 'The Crippler' thought he had an opening to snare the title. The most famous spot of the match then followed, with Jericho locking a visually stunning Walls of Jericho atop the ladder as fans exploded at the sight of two men defying gravity from fifteen feet.

After Benoit missed a headbutt from the ladder then took another tumble from the ladder to the floor via a Jericho shove, 'Y2J' was finally able to grab the gold to conclude a climactic classic.

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