50 Things You Learn Binge-Watching Every WWE Royal Rumble
26. 2001's Forgotten All-Timer
2001's undercard was one of the best fans had seen from a Royal Rumble. The Dudleyz vs. Edge and Christian ruled, Chyna vs. Ivory was the one-sided beatdown most wanted at the time, and Triple H vs. Kurt Angle for the WWF Title was a soap opera to be proud of. Then, there was a match WWE won't talk about today. It's a forgotten ladder beauty.
Look, it's totally understandable why the promotion continues to ignore Chris Benoit's body of work, and no fans need to be called out for skimming over his career or for finding it troubling to separate in-ring worker from the final few hours of his life. However, there's also no denying that this ladder match effort vs. fellow Canadian and superworker Chris Jericho remains one of the best and most creative the match type has ever thrown up.
If you're one of those folks who finds it challenging to watch any of Benoit's stuff, then fair enough. If you're able to, then give this one a look in and watch two of the best wrestlers on the planet vying for the Intercontinental Title. WWE will never give this any flowers in 2024 or beyond, but Benoit vs. Jericho was easily as good as anything Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon did at WrestleMania X or SummerSlam 1995.
The bout isn't as spot-heavy as the TLC car crashes, but it's so well-worked from first minute to last. Jericho's submission on a pained Benoit atop the ladder is worth the price of admission alone. This was the best match on the card by far.