The TLC match has given WWE fans some of it’s most memorable moments in the past 16 years since it was conceived. It’s a ruthless, unforgiving ordeal that makes, and breaks, superstars. Over the years it’s earned its own event, aptly titled WWE TLC and, usually, cap offs WWE’s pay-per-view event schedule (that won’t apply this year as we have Roadblock, the Raw-exclusive event in two weeks) and sets the stage for what’s the come in the new year.
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Tonight, WWE presents TLC with the main event of WWE World Champion AJ Styles against Dean Ambrose. This will be AJ’s first TLC match in the WWE while Dean is hardly a stranger to the concept. The two men have had a heated rivalry over the past few months, and while their styles are conflicting, everything becomes equalized when tables, ladders, and chairs are involved.
Before WWE TLC, we take a look back at some of WWE’s greatest TLC matches and the stars that shaped and defined the match to make it their own. Could any of tonight’s matches end up being one of the greatest of all time?
TLC 5: Ric Flair vs. Edge For The WWE Championship
You already know that when Ric Flair dons the crimson mask, it’s about to go down. Also, full disclosure, you’re going to see Edge on this list multiple times.
In 2006, the then-56-year-old went up against one of the hottest heels of all time, and the one who was holding the WWE Championship at the time, Edge. Considered past his prime by some, this was Flair’s first TLC match and held his own against the much younger competitor and proved to the WWE Universe that he is still Ric freakin’ Flair.
This wasn’t a technically sound match for sure, but given the level of brutality that was received on both ends, it didn’t need to be. Edge was in his prime and about to set the course for the rest of his career, while Flair was towards the end, but still had plenty of fuel in the tank and he let it show.
While this match might not share the pedestal of other matches on this list, it’s one of the most memorable and one of the last matches before the PG-era came into play.
TLC 7: The Undertaker vs. Edge For The World Heavyweight Championship
Here’s Edge again, proving again why he was made to be a champion.
The World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker had taken on some of the company’s biggest stars and legends and although they had already faced off against one another at WrestleMania 24 with a rivalry that lasted through the Spring. It was obvious their business wasn’t done just yet.
There was an interesting stipulation, too, as if Undertaker lost, he would be fired from the WWE. Well obviously the WWE wasn’t going to let that happen, right? It seemed like a sure-fire win for the Deadman. How wrong we were.
Undertaker was in his early 40’s then and was starting to show his wear and tear, but the guy could still move for a man his size. He had been in numerous Hell In a Cell matches and ladder matches, but this was his first TLC match. By now, Edge had cemented his crown as King of the TLC and toppled the Undertaker, becoming a three-time World Champion and the Phenom made his leave…
Until he was reinstated just in time for SummerSlam for a Hell In a Cell match with Edge.
The thing about Taker doing a match like this is that it’s not usually a match for giants, but his power helped him dominate the early start of the match including a Last Ride to Edge off of a ladder onto two-tiers of tables. Looking back, it’s no wonder Edge retired just three years later.
TLC 6: John Cena vs. Edge For the WWE Championship
Easily one of the WWE’s greatest feuds, John Cena and Edge kicked off 2006 and continued throughout the year, but this was definitely its apex.
Taking place in Edge’s home city of Toronto, the Rated-R Superstar was the clear fan-favorite in the arena, but Cena overcame the rise of Cena Sucks chants and came out on top, but it’s how he did that makes the match as unforgettable as it is.
See, you have to look at the climate change at the time. About a year and a half ago, Cena had won his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21, but by October fans had figured out that he was going to be the next top guy and weren’t entirely too thrilled about that it seemed. So come September of 2006, Cena is being outright booed and labeled boring by hardcore fans.
Taking all that negativity and using it to deliver one his best performances, Cena took Edge on top of the ladder and gave the soon-to-be-former champion an FU/Attitude Adjuster through two stacked tables.
The fans ate it up.
Cena would reclaim this WWE Championship, making him a three-time champ, but the rivalry between the two competitors was one of the best of their generation.
TLC 8: CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy For The World Heavyweight Championship
Both of these men defined their careers by taking the biggest dares and risks when it came to the safety of their own body. This also being CM Punk’s first TLC match in the WWE, but also Jeff Hardy’s fifth didn’t bother the Straight Edge Superstar. If anything, it pushed him that much more to come out on top.
Hardy did his usual crowd pleasing moves and high risk set ups, including a jaw-dropping Swanton Bomb on Punk from one of the tallest ladders, crashing them both through the announcer’s table. The problem was that Punk was the first man up and made his way back to the ladder to climb it to retrieve the championship. The defending champion Hardy eventually rose up, only to be dropped again from the ladder and Punk grabbing the big gold belt becoming a three-time World Champion.
Their rivalry had been a talking point and somewhat controversial that year since CM Punk prides himself on being straight edge and during several promos, brought up Hardy’s problematic past with heavy drugs. The feud wrote itself, but it wasn’t over just yet.
After Punk reclaimed the title, the Undertaker made a surprising return and a intimidated the new champion. However it was Punk would get the last laugh once again as he defeated Hardy on Smackdown, which would be the Extreme One’s last WWE match (thus far).
TLC 1: Edge and Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz For The WWE Tag Team Championship
What started at the Royal Rumble with the Hardyz and the Dudleyz in a tag team table match, followed by a tables and ladders match at WrestleMania 2000, this was the obvious next evolution to the hottest tag team rivalry of all time.
This match was the foundation for any and all future TLC matches and sixteen years later it still holds up as one of the best of all time.
Since turning heels at WrestleMania 2000, Edge and Christian had become the face of tag team wrestling in WWE as well as experienced an excellent heel turn. Gone were the days of mysterious promos and dark personas. They embraced characters similar to the malicious surfer bros of 1980’s teen classics and began a year-long wave of some of the best tag team wrestling of all time. As the Dudleys had trademarked their use of tables, the Hardys their use of ladders, E&C started using chairs into the mix giving their opponents con-chairtos. Monday Night Raw Commissioner Mick Foley added the chair element and the match was set for SummerSlam.
There was so much going on in this match and each team put out everything to steal the show. Not a lot of fans remember the triple threat match for the WWE Championship match between the Rock, Triple H, and Kurt Angle, but they surely remember this one.
The Raleigh crowd gave the performers every ounce of respect and awe that they had. At one point Lita became involved and caught a botched spear from Edge. Jeff Hardy’s notorious missed Swanton Bomb has been replayed countless times since this match in highlight packages showcasing the dangers of the TLC match and rightfully so. And who could forget Jeff and Bubba Ray holding onto the tag titles with nothing underneath them?
It was pure magic. Brutal and intense, but magic nonetheless.
