Buh Buh Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley vs. Christian & Edge vs. Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy

[6.0] "Naturally, with a ladder match, I expect a "spotfest, " but in this case, I struggled to get into it--the table setups were just too complex. Also, D-Von Dudley didn't need to oversell the way he did; we know that taking those kinds of falls is painful enough as it is."

[7.0] "It's always hard to rate a match like this. It spawned a stipulation that has been done countless times since, of course, by these teams, but also by performers all over the globe. So I think it's understandable that they didn't have this one fully formed right off the bat. There's a lot of set-up time between spots and some very obvious positioning of people and objects for future spots in a way that felt very staged at times. It's still a damn good match, with a few moments that have been etched in wrestling history. 3.75 stars."

[9.0] "This absolutely ruled. A truly trailblazing match. A shameless spot fest that turned into an instant classic. Also, easily the best match on the card. It feels like a fever dream after some of the garbage I've been subjected to so far."

[6.0] "Enjoyable for what it is, but not my cup of tea. All the big gripes you could have with a spotfest like this are there, but the match's legendary status elevated those big spots for me. Personally, I'm not fond of the vicious cycle this match helped perpetuate, what with wrestlers trying to get over with increasingly dangerous spots that destroy their bodies while raising fan expectations, and inspiring other wrestlers to take even more unnecessary, reckless bumps or spots to pop the growingly desensitized crowd. That said, this match is still so crucial to the landscape of modern professional wrestling, for better or for worse, and it's still a stupid good time. However, the match's overly choreographed nature, the wrestlers' insistence on popping the crowd with self-destructive stunts instead of winning, and the copious downtime bog it down for me. Plus, I can't lie, after having seen more egregiously dangerous spotfests, this iconic bout does feel a bit pedestrian by comparison. But in fairness, context is a huge part of why certain matches become immortalized to begin with, and this is no exception."

[9.0] "Even though it's a memorable moment as the start of the feud between Edge and Christian, Hardy Boyz and Dudley Boyz. The memorable spots and the action that defined it as what a TLC Match is and means for today, there were some moments that felt more build for the spot than going straight to what it is about. 9/10 [****3/4]"

[5.0] "The problem with this match is that it doesn't make any sense. Instead of climbing to win the match, all they do is setup the next spot, making it feel like a stunt show. Nothing feels organic."

[8.0] "Sacrilegious to say that this match is just pretty good. ALL the setup really took me out of it. It doesn't help that my girlfriend kept pointing out how many times they could've just gone for the titles. Still, Jeff jumping off shit always hits home. I'm hoping TLC 1 is much better than this"

[9.0] "Best match of the show. Unbelievable performance from all involved. Although they would have the better match the next Mania this one is still a classic."

[6.0] "The original three way spotfest between these spot monkeys, and while it's not their best match together, it's still pretty fun, but also annoying. It's like they care about setting things up more than actually winning the match. It's all over the place, they go from one spot to another, and that for over 23 minutes, which is simply too much for such a car crash of a match. The spots are cool, the crowd loves it, but most of it doesn't make much sense. ***1/4+"

[9.0] "What to say about this match ? It started the whole TLC saga with the 3 most legendary teams of the attitude era. Amazing."

[9.0] "Definitely the best match on this entire show. These six over delivered in a first time ever type of match. They'd go on to have the greatest series of matches in history in a year span in some capacity."

[9.0] "Fun and creative spots all throughout this one. Easily the highlight of this show. Jeff Hardy is insane."

[8.0] "It is weird watching a match be spot to spot in 2000. This is a match way ahead of its time, but I do have issues with it. With as many crazy spots as there are in this match, there is no time to breathe, which isn't a problem if the match is like 15 minutes. But this match is 23 minutes long, and it has no time to breathe. It is just a little much. But the spots are very fun, with that swanton from Jeff being the highlight. But I love the spot of I think Jeff and Matt are getting pushed just straight to the outside off the ladder. Crazy spot. This is a very fun match, but man, it's just a little long. But it is iconic for a reason, and you can tell that the ideas that they have are there, but these three teams wouldn't perfect it just yet. But they do later. Still a good match. ****1/4 (4.25)"

[9.0] "This was damn good for being the first of its kind. They'd eclipse themselves in the TLC matches later, but this was a great warmup for those matches."

[9.0] "This was a highly entertaining match that saved the show from being a complete disaster. The action delivered numerous memorable spots and innovative sequences, several of which would be refined and reused in their legendary future encounters. Interestingly, ladders were the only weapons utilized throughout the entire match, a notable detail given how their later battles would incorporate tables and chairs. Edge and Christian climbed the ladder to retrieve the titles and capture the WWF Tag Team Championships for the first time in their careers. This triangle ladder match often gets overlooked because of their two other legendary encounters at SummerSlam 2000 and WrestleMania X-Seven, but this bout is genuinely excellent in its own right and established the foundation for their future classics. [****1/2]"

[10.0] "The start of the legendary Hardy/Dudley/E&C feud. Match was perfect, just a amazing spotfest that wowed the crowd and set the bar for the rest of the rivalry."

[9.0] "Dudleys & Hardys are great here and everyone takes their fair share, Edge slightly less so. As usual, Jeff gets the worst of it including a ladder to the temple after the barricade spot. Matt goes through at least 2 tables - the first a beautiful plant from Bubba from the Spanish announce table. Reminder that Bubba was one of the great big man bumpers, he face first DDT'd himself most of the time, absorbs most of the Cutter off the Ladder and takes 90% the impact on Jeff's legendary Swanton. Duds are the bosses in this one, setting up all the furniture and orchestrating the others. Shame they didn't go over and the team that contributed the least won. A nailed on classic spotfest nevertheless."

[10.0] "20 minutes of an absolute mess. All of the guys gave something special, which became a great prelude to their ultimate carnage a year later."

[6.0] "Some nice spots, but actually nothing absolutely insane when you compare to the other matches. The psychology of this match was not good, no one is climbing, when they do they just climb anywhere but where the belts are. The structure of the 2 ladders and the table on top looked good but... it stayed like that for 10 mins ? Edge and Christian nowhere to be found mid match because they were waiting for their spots. Clearly not the best of their 3 way matches."

[8.0] "Another legendary match from these three teams. I take this match over the first tag ladder match, but I think I'd take the table match at the Rumble over this one slightly. Mainly because the big fault in this match is that it's rather uncompetitive. King points out quite a few times that no one is climbing the ladders to try and get the belts. It only happens a few times throughout the match, so it loses some steam there for me. Other than that, the spots these six perform are ones that they themselves could only top. From memory, both TLC matches are better than this one, but that doesn't change the fact that this is still a special match that stole the show on the biggest night of the year."

[8.0] "A spot fest that wasn't as good as there first. Again great match they just didn't do it all which was smart cause they did rematch **** 1/4"

[9.0] "This is awsome. Absolutely insane what all these men put themselves through in this match and also I find it cool to see how their matches together would evolve and somehow get better and better. Any fan of high risk wrestling should cheak this out if you haven't allready"

[10.0] "Phenomenal match. While this match is definitely topped by the next two TLC matches these three teams would have, this was an amazing spectacle like no other at the time where it started out with a lot of high spots with plenty of them caught on the Wile E. Coyote cam. The match seriously escalated once the Dudleys brought the tables into the match as it just made the spots feel bigger and bigger with Jeff Hardy hitting the Swanton off a 20 foot ladder through Bubba on a table in the enterence way being the first thing I think of whenever this PPV is mentioned. Matt Hardy exploding through the table in the last spot was also very memorable which lead to Edge and Christian winning their first Tag Team Titles. The match does have it's flaws like it felt like there was multiple opportunities for The Dudleys to win the match where they instead set up a bunch of spots with the tables and create a scaffold like structure with the table and ladders which actually made it easier for Edge and Christian to win at the finish, but this really was the first match of it's kind where there was no TLC or Money in the Bank matches that happened and are now a staple in wrestling. The only other tag team ladder match before this was the one at No Mercy and adding the Dudleys to the mix added so much more to these matches."

[8.0] "Beginning sequence with Jeff hardy and Bubba ray in the ring isnt bad at all. Its a little sloppy in the get go, they clearly have a bunch of big spots put together but havent really decided yet how theyre getting to them. The first nice spot starts with Matt and Edge placing the ladders onto Avon and BUbba Ray and then Jeff and Christian launch off of them. Jeff is successful but Don launches the ladder into Christian. Theres an elbow to the chest of D-von while hes draped over the ladder. Nice dat from Jeff to Bubba Ray, then a 450 splash by Jeff and Bubba moves out of the way of the ladder so Jeff just hits it. Big senton from Bubba to Jeff on the ladder. Theres this weird spot where Edge takes a ladder and falls on the ladder like you would a skateboard down a ramp and drives it into another ladder thats draped over Matt. Bubba Ray just spins around and hits people with the ladder a bunch, gets double dropkicked by Edge and Christian. Double flapjack to D-von onto the ladder in the corner by E&C. Christina Climbs the ladder to do something, no one is reaching for the titles, Christian dives off with a crossbody to the floor and hits Bubba and Matt Hardy. Jeff climbs the ladder for the titles and Edge spears him from the top turnbuckle, really nice. Matt hits a Razors Edge on Edge. Dvon takes down Matt, Dvon walks up the ladder but Christian just throws one at his back. Christian gets up and reaches for the belt and Bubba hits him with a cutter from the top of the ladder. Matt and Jeff climb ladders on opposite end of the ring, feel awful for Matt as he did a top rope leg drop which is probably why he walks weird today. Edge and Christian hit an insane double superplex from the top of the ladder. A neckbreaker and a Russian leg sweep from the top of the ladder by E&C on the hardys. Everybody climbs the ladder, Christian and Jeff go flying to the outside, Matt and Edge get draped over the top rope crotch first, and now the Dudleys are alone in the ring. After some ladder shenanigans Edge gets hit with a 3D. Instead of setting up a ladder they go get tables, which pops the crowd. They basically set up a table on top of two ladders in the ring. Then they climb the ladders which doesnt make much sense. The hardys stop them, then they set up more furniture for like a full minute or two lol. Dvon dives through the table that Matts on, Bubba Dudley powerbombs Jeff through the table at ringside. Jeff runs off the barricade towards Bubba and just EATS the ladder to his face. Bubba sets up a big ladder on the entrance ramp. Sets up another table. The last few minutes of this match has just been setting up furniture and a move here and there. Bubba gets hit twice with the ring bell, Jeff sends Christian into the guardrail, drapes Bubba over the table underneath the ladder. Jeff goes off the top of the ladder and hits a swanton bomb through the table onto Bubba. Back in the ring Dvon hits Christian, climbs the ladder with the table on it. Matt throws off Dvon and then hits him with a twist of fate. Matt and Christian climb up to that table, Edge gets up behind Matt. Theyre right by the belts and then Edge barely pushes Matt through the table below, then just standing on the table Edge and Christian grab the belts. I mean hats off to these guys cuz they put themselves through absolutely nuts shit. But the match isnt exactly very thought out and theres a lot of stuff that just doesnt make sense, but this is a really good PPV experiment for the WWF at this time and it is definitely one of the most enjoyable wrestlemania matches of this era. But a lot of imperfections and I dont think it lives up to its reputation in hindsight, but it was a really big deal at that time for WWF to have a match like this. It was probably headed for a 9 just because it was the best thing on an otherwise shitty night, but the ending is really really underwhelming for a match with this many big spots."

[10.0] "A really phenomenal triple threat tag ladder match between all three teams, the action and spots were all really spectacular and entertaining and this would be the launching pad for TLC (Tables, Ladders and Chairs) in their WWF SummerSlam (2000) and WWF WrestleMania 17 (2001) classics."

[8.0] "A solid stunt show ladder match, one of the very first. However it felt like the crowd wasn't as into this as future ones. Really good none the less. 3.75/5 Stars"

[8.0] "[4.0*] This was a Triangle Ladder Match, the last step before the creation of the TLC stipulation, which this same teams created later this year at Summerslam. Although this was not as crazy as their WrestleMania 2001 match, this was still amazing and super revolucionário for its time. This match had a lot of crazy bumps specially back bumps, this must have been really hurtful. To name a few, Edge did a Spear from the 3rd rope to the Ladder, Bubba Ray did a 3D from one Ladder to another, Christian and Jeff took nasty bumps from the Ladder to the outside and Jeff Hardy did a Swanton Bomb on the ramp from the Ladder to the table. These are just some of the crazy stuff that happened on a match that was by far the best of its Mania. Edge and Christian won and my only disappointment in this whole match was the ending, where they built a fucking house of cards and I was expecting some sort of never-seen before move with that, but maybe that is on me lmao. Phenomenal match."

"This match was the precursor to what would later be known as the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) matches. Although not officially a TLC, this "Triangle Ladder Match" allowed all three teams to showcase their ability to create controlled chaos with the use of ladders. Match Analysis: Innovation: The match was innovative, using ladders not only as tools to achieve suspended titles, but as weapons and platforms for spectacular aerial maneuvers. The Hardys, known for their extreme fighting style, stood out with moves like the Swanton Bomb from the top of a ladder. Psychology: Each team brought their own dynamic. The Hardys were the ladder specialists, Edge and Christian were the cunning opportunists, and the Dudley Boyz, with their experience in table matches, were the toughest. This diversity enriched the match, creating multiple points of interest and different strategies. Impact: The finish, where Edge and Christian took advantage of a moment of distraction to capture the titles, marked their rise as one of the most dominant teams of the era. Conclusion: This match was not only exciting, but it set the stage for what would come next. The chemistry between the three teams was palpable, and the crowd was left wanting more, setting the stage for future clashes. 8, 5/10"

[9.0] "While not as crazy as the TLC matches these three teams would have after this, this works much better as a match and has more flow to it. In a lot of ways it's more innovative too- they do more with less in this match compared to the others. That said, it's not short on contrivance, and once the dudleys start setting up tables things kind of grind to a halt til we get our finale spots. Still one of the greatest ladder matches ever, and it set the table for the TLC matches that would follow."

[6.0] "Has the problem of all of their TLC matches is that it gets really hard to watch on its rewatch. You start to notice that the guys are basically waiting for their spots to happen and also that every surrounding the spots is not that impressive as well. I enjoy spotfests however I also like when those spots have something else to back them up like a good brawl."

[3.0] "Give me a break - you can just look at the ridiculous structure in the middle of the ring and already know what kind of a "match" it was. A spotfest where all three teams thought of the spots and then decided to implement them into the contest, so none of them made sense. Bubba just looking at Devon getting thrown of the ladder instead of helping him because it's not his queue, Dudleys getting tables for a looong time instead of climbing the ladder, setting up multiple ladders that wouldn't help anybody win the match and I could go on and on. A stunt show, not a wrestling match."

[9.0] "An all timer and for good reason. At first the match seems a little slow, plodding and like there isn't much of a connecting tissue between major spots. As the match continues though it naturally builds upon itself until we get the climax. It's funny to think this isn't the best of the three matches these guys would have, yet it is still excellent."

[9.0] "An absolute classic. Not the start of this Hardys edge and Christian and Dudleys feud but this was the first real big moment from the feud. A match so ahead of its time and very innovative. A bit long maybe but for a match this good it doesnt really matter. A great ladder match that also gave a teaser into what would become the TLC match later on. 4.25/5"

[8.0] "Very fun spotfest where every spot was absolutely awesome. A lot of crazy moments, amazing chemistry, and a showcase about how better the tag division had become."

[9.0] "A big bump party which remains quite coherent. Huge falls and very big risks taken. A delight. (4*1/2)"

[7.0] "Instead of trying to win the match everyone tried to just perform high spots for fan reaction and not totally effective spots that leads to win this match in overall some of spots were effective in overall to win the match and this is not a blow to the wrestlers in this match because it's not their fault in overall"

[8.0] "Great. The second half and the lead up was amazing. To think that this was only the beginning of these 3 teams lessening their careers. A lot of sacrifice took place in these matches which would go on to have a lasting impact on the more extreme but toned style of pro wrestling. (8/10)"

[8.0] "Obviously not as good as the TLC matches that they would have later down the line, but this was still an insane spotfest that really set the precedent for all future multi man ladder matches. ****"

[9.0] "Another awesome match consisting of these guys. I swear they never had a truly bad match together. I thought this was a little bit better than the ladder match from No Mercy the previous year. This was fast paced for most of the runtime, but it did slow down in the last third. The selling here was off the charts. Everyone was great in that regard, with special praise towards The Dudley Boyz. This had some amazing spots, particularly the table spots. Much like most of the early ladder matches, I enjoyed how the ladders were the central focal point for most of the match. Usually I have issues with other weapons being used, but I dont have an issue in this case. The finish was also great. As for the negatives, at times it did feel like they were just trying to set up spots rather than trying to win. Like the last tag ladder match, this did have the why? factor. For instance, when Bubba hit the senton onto the ladder, and when D-Von hit the leg drop onto another ladder. Also, this did feel a tad too long. They couldve shaved a solid 4-5 minutes off and had an even better match. Thats about all of my complaints. One last comment Ive got is props to everyone involved for taking the bumps throughout. 9/10. ****1/2"

[7.0] "This doesn't hold as well as the next TLC matches between the three teams which follow. Too much walking around setting up spots."

[8.0] "I think I would like this match more if I hadn't seen TLC 2 first. This feels like the Dollar General version of that match, which isn't to say it's bad, just that the Wrestlemania 17 encounter had everything this match had +more."

[9.0] "The forerunner of TLC matches, still very good to this day and featured a car crashing dynamic not seen in WWE/F at the time, this match is super important and iconic (****1/2)"

[8.0] "Really fun Ladder match, with some memorable moments specially close to the end with Jeff Swanton and the finish. Not as crazy as future ladder matches but still really good specially compared with the three previous matches on the card"

[7.0] "It might be hindsight, but the two TLC matches are so much better than this, so it affects my view of this match. It's very good, but has some slow parts that aren't present in the rematches."

[7.0] "A good spotfest. While this match was understandably spectacular for its era, it isn't that impressive by today's standards. It just merges together with the other TLC and hardcore matches I have seen. Overall, a match that will be most enjoyed by people who gravitate toward chaotic spotfests. ***1/2"

[10.0] "Were those three teams capable of bad games back then? Because I don't think those three teams were capable of having bad games back then. Crazy spots all over the place, risk-taking that automatically makes you react, Jeff Hardy playing with death on a ladder, in short an incredible match of a quality that we haven't had in ages. [*****]"

[6.0] "A fine match. Ahead of its time. Everyone did a good job. I think the other matches from them all were much better"

[8.0] "When this match started up I was worried it would not hold up because ladder matches are now done to absolute death. My fears were unfounded, this still very much holds up and I doubt you can really do a modern one any better than this. Cracking stuff."

[8.0] "The show has been sucking pretty hard but it starts to pick up some from here on out. Edge and Christian attack the Hardyz early. Now everybody's attacking eac hother on the floor. Christian brings in a ladder and tries to go for the belts early. Matt throws the ladder at Buh Buh. Then the Hardyz clothesline Edge with the ladder. Hardyz put D-Von on the ladder and Matt gives him an elbow drop. Buh Buh is laying on the ladder. Jeff goes up top but misses the 450 splash and smashes the ladder hard. Buh Buh puts the ladder on top of Jeff, climbs up top and jumps off onto it squishing Jeff. Christian climbs the ladder in the ring and dives off onto Buh Buh and Matt on the outside. Edge climbs up the top rope and spears Jeff off the ladder. Holy Shit chant starts up. Christan is climbing the ladder and Buh Buh is setting up more ladders. We got three ladders set up now. Buh Buh gives Christian a Buh Buh cutter off the top of the ladder. Fans are loving this match. Edge and Christian double suplex D-von off the top of the ladder. Hardyz and Edge and Christian are fighting on top of the ladder, then all four take hard falls to the mat. Crowd is chanting for tables. All six guys are fighting on the ladder. Matt and Christian tip over their ladder and go 15 feet down to the concrete floor. Buh Buh gives Edge and Jeff get pushed off their ladder and land on the top rope. Dudleyz give Edge a 3-D. They're going going for the tables. Dudleyz set up two ladders and lay a folding table across the top. Hardyz stop them and the crowd boos. D-Von misses a diving headbutt in the ring and goes through a table, meanwhile Buh Buh power bombs Matt really hard through a table on the outside. Jeff sets up Buh Buh on a table outside then climbs a 20 foot ladder and does a swanton bomb onto Buh Buh through the table. (crazy bastard) The crow has gone nuts! Christian and Matt are fighting on top of the table on top of the ladders. Edge comes up from behind and pushes Matt off through a table below. Edge and Christian grab the belts to win. A train wreck spot fest, but in the best sense of the word."

[10.0] "So to enjoy this one has to completely ignore logic and accept that the priority wasn't to get the belts at the earliest opportunity, but the quality of the action and the way the different spots were built to made it one of the best ladder matches in history, with spots that still look insane now. Great stuff, and match of the show by far."