Post by bgski on Dec 8, 2019 12:35:08 GMT -8
Years ago the ladder match was a concept that some would say was invented in Stampede Wrestling and although it wasn't done alot, the one between Bret Hart vs Bad News Allen is still well known among wrestling fans or rather those that have followed it longer than the past 10 years.
When Bret Hart got signed to WWF, it's been said that he was the one that actually brought the idea to Vince but he wasn't convinced it could be useful, that is until 1992 with Bret Hart and HBK had one way before the
whole Montreal incident took place.
As years progressed, the gimmick would become popular since it was used at WWF's biggest event Wrestlemania X and later on it would develop into various ways with the most popular being what many know as TLC and later on the MITB (Money In The Bank). TNA developed their own idea out of this and called it the King Of Mountain which was a bit more of an unusual almost notorious idea at times.
WWE may not do this not as often as they once did, they were still one of the main companies to popularize ladder matches and possibly even pioneering the overall concept.
Regardless if the product has seemed to suffer over the years atleast to me, they still did alot of to push ladder matches to new heights, atleast in the late 90's early 2000's with their TLC matches, heck they came out with several dvds dedicated to just ladder matches. While the 2000's roared on a growing number of alternatives started to surface, no longer was WWF/E the primary outlet for wrestling. While more and more companies popped up it led to what we have presently to choose from for this year of what I can only conclude as the most number of ladder matches of any year, from ROH to Impact just to name a few despite the many setbacks both have endured along with a few others (not all are in this list) are all producing these high octane matches.
I don't want to keep rambling on about the the different matches and history since I'm sure many are aware of the idea so I'll just focus on the topic at hand.
Ladder matches to me have always felt like a plot device to either move an angle forward or conclude one usually ending in something worthwhile for the winner to gain, although I'd be re-missed to say that there have been I'll just say questionable choices just to make one. I'm not big on doing lists but I felt to make one cause it seems that the companies mentioned along with another one which you'll see are pushing the boundaries of this idea and although it may not be on purpose, its almost like can you top this.
For the purpose of this list I'll only be talking about companies that have been around longer than a year so nothing from AEW will be added, I also need to add I haven't watched any of the ones from WWE so I'm be only taking about the ones from companies I watch currently.
With that in mind these are the matches that I found to be entertaining and although some may not agree and say the ladder concept is played out, I have to disagree but to me it has to be done right and what I mean is that it shouldn't be meant just for the sake of putting it together without any real build up or even some kind of backstory. That to me defeats the whole purpose of having one but that's just my opinion.
I'll try to add clips/highlight sor even the entire match itself if I can so perhaps someone may take interest...or not while providing some quick thoughts on my overall perception of the feud aswell as some that are involved along with what the match meant to me.
Dynasty vs Hart Foundation - If I were to make a list that included feud of the year, these factions would be within the very top of that. It has pretty much died down in recent months due to MJF being signed to AEW and the most recent release of Teddy Hart but it was during the course of the feud there has been so much animosity that has been between these two with both showcasing their both their in ring ability along with their promos and just why it's considered some of the most entertaining feuds while bringing up the tag titles to be worthy and on par with some of the other companies on this list. Yes there's talk online about MJF perhaps not really being an actual heel but perhaps more of a tweener and maybe even could be considered a bit overrated, stll regardless of these perceptions his heel factor in MLW is on a high level with some of his promos cutting pretty deep and maybe even borderline despicable but thats what heels do. The Dynasty itself has proven a worthy faction and it gives that old school feel where you have these young and rich punks going up against well seasoned veterans except Pillman Jr who respect the business. The thing about this feud is that it's helping give mad experience to these young dudes along with helping guys like Teddy Hart redeem himself from his past mistakes or atleast it seemed that way for a time while Davey Boy Jr is still a force and has more than shown that he can be just as good on the outside as he was in New Japan.
Jay Lethal (C) vs Matt Taven vs Marty Scurll (G1 Supercard 06.04.19) A sold out venue having both NJPW & ROH showcasing their talents with ROH having their world title being defended in a ladder match which may not happen again with the type of atmosphere this had. The crowd was hot most of the time but I can't help to this some were under the pretense there was going to be others there aswell but it seems most had fun regardless.
I was watching this with a bunch of people that brought back memories of a better time from the days of when I used to throw PPV parties when I lived in VA back when WCW and WWF were doing only monthly ones, I had a blast watching this event but insteadof pizza and soda it was mostly alcohol induced.
Ah good times.....oh wait back to the present.
When this particular match came on I was excited cause I knew all the guys can work and they all had something to prove on a big stage. Taven had been chasing the title for months now and Scurll had already made it clear his intention was to be ROH champion when he won an opportunity to do while at the same time challenging Aldis for the NWA World Championship in main event at the upcoming Crockett Cup. Scurll wanted to bring the ROH title with him and even made the notion that he wanted to make it title for title if he had won it at the G1 Supercard. Lethal has already proven why he is called The Franchise of ROH who was already having yet another great reign as champion but wanted to keep proving why he is one of the best taking on all challengers from all over the world and to me helping make the ROH title legitimate again during both his title runs. While the match itself was entertaining, the outcome was not to be expected with both Lethal and Scurll losing but I think what helped make this match special was that it was done in front of ROH's biggest live audience to date and while I have no problems with Taven or his run which he did earn, personally I believe that Lethal should've stayed champion and perhaps drop it at a later date to Taven.
Sadly while this is most likely is their highest achievement as company (with some help from Cody and Co.) it would also most likely be the last time they would pull off such a feat since as of this writing, ROH has been on somewhat a downward spiral ever since but that's a story for another time.
Jake Crist (C) vs Tessa Blanchard, Ace Austin, Daga and Acey Rcomero - This is the newest entry I had to contemplate whether I was going to add it in or not but either way here it is. As I've mentioned recently I beleive Tessa is one of the best female talents in any company an but I'm at the point where I think she very well may have taken that spot, atleast here in the states. Even though she was added to this match she's been dealing with her own problems but not just against a single talent of any kind , it's been against one of the most violent factions and say what you will about Callihan, the man can go and what I mean is that yes some or even most of the stuff he does is pretty damn cringe worthy and even downright annoying but regardless he has shown he can stay on the same level as some of the others like The Machine Brian Cage and he is also interesting in an essence of that idea of just how far out there his character really is while blurring the lines between fiction and reality while using the opportunities that others weren't' to keen on and turn it in them something beneficial for not just the company but something which would be used to help other talents get over while the Crist brothers already proven to be a great tag team whenever they do tag but Jake has already shown he can branch out into a singles competitor if need be and the thing about OVE is they always come off serious but in some instances they can also be goofy without making it seem they are trying to be.
Anyways Tessa has proven she can go toe to toe with anyone regardless whether you're guy or a gal in addition with most of the roster talent for the past few years in Impact had been I thought was helping to make them stand out a bit but this year has been what helped push this notion further especially sticking her and Callihan in the main event of one of their most well known PPVs, Some within the industry along with alot of the IWC either praised it or try to discredit it, either way it got some buzz and sure it was done elsewhere with just women on a much bigger stage but this was a a first that I can recall.
On a side note I really don't get the hate Impact draws online. Sure there was alot and I mean ALOT of problems since their inception but their rebuilding process with these last couple of years has helped make them one of the few company's
to keep me tuning in for and although not perfect with them still having some issues, they are fewer than ever but seriously what company doesn't have these? I've mentioned it a few times that I know everything is subjective and if their not your cup of tea that's alright, we're all fans in one way or another.
OVE and Tessa has had a an intense feud but it mostly revolves around her and Callihan which makes for some good storytelling regardless how some may feel about Sami, this all seemed like it was leading to something even bigger for Tessa to gain so she was given the chance to become the first ever female to be X-division champion and what better way to win it but in a ladder match, for some reason they added Acey as a last minute choice when Rohit Raju didn't make the cut.
While Tessa put up a great showing as ususal, sadly it didn't end well as she was all so close but Ace Austin who's had his own problems with Eddie Edwards came out on top which leads into the obvious question so whats next for the Tessa Blanchard and OVE saga?
Since I've written this, a number of changes took place with Callihan becoming IMpact World Champion and a few matches set to take place here soon with their Jan ppv aptly titled Hard To Kill where Impact is creating history having Tessa vs Callihan for the Impact World title although this is a huge...gigantic....astronomical leap for women to be on par with men, I do not think it'd be the right call to make her champion and I say that only because she's still pretty young and while she has gained the amount of experience in the short time she's acquired that some take alot longer to gain, to me personally she still has a ways to go before that leap should be taken.
NJPW/ROH G.O.D. vs Briscoes - G.O.D. are one of my current favorite teams, maybe it's the take no bs attitude or because they are on a very short list of overall talents that come off more realistic than the majority of tag teams in other companies. As for the Briscoes, if it's one thing that defies them as teams it's loyalty. While many many different talents have jumped to both TNA/Impact to WWE, the Briscoes have stayed with ROH since the beginning and they are to are tough as nails. Both teams are not only hard workers in the ring but are also on a short list of those that can cut promos that come off off as a thin line between reality and kayfabe. What helped make this as serious as it got was G.O.D. also were the first ever from New Japan to become ROH tag champions while also having a death grip on those IWGP Tag straps so putting these two teams together was a powder keg and throughout their feud, they showed why they needed to be in the conversation of who the best tag team is currently. The matches were hard hitting and had those OMFG moments but it was this ladder match that proved to anyone who claims to be the best tag team ought to man up and prove it with either of these teams, but no one should be sleeping on Sanada and Evil who are also former 2 time IWGP tag champions.
I couldn't find any highlights or anything except for the finish to the match so I just put up the hype vid so you can get the idea how personal this came off.
Lucha Bros vs LAX - As a lead in for those claiming to be the best, I solely believe the Lucha Bros are just that right now and it's not just because of what they did during their short time as a tag team in Impact but it's their accomplishments as singles competitors.
I feel that if there is someone who can make it as a singles competitor they could also bring whatever tag team they are or even were in to another level meaning that it helps make others like myself see the kinds of innovations they can bring to their team putting if they're partnered with someone they have chemistry with which helps if they're related, some of my favorite tag teams are related like The Steiners for instance but don't get me wrong there are some great tag teams who've weren't even related. Every so often those that come from singles background brings that extra element and brings a different kind of experience, perhaps a more dynamic one?
Sometimes when tag teams that are great break up, there is either one or the other or even both who try and have singles run which aren't as successful but then there are the those that can who go on to become a major champion but as with any tag team that break up, some of those same talents that make it outside of their respective tag team hardly ever reform as a tag team for more than a night or two, perhaps do to how they broke up? I'm sure there's other circumstances but that's the my intake on the matter.
With the Lucha Bros, you already have Fenix who has proven why he is of the most innovative high flyers ever (his stuff from Lucha Underground, AAA/ CMLL & other Mexican promotions) along with his brother Pentagon Jr aka Pentago Dark aka Penta El 0M, you get the idea who is already a former world champion even though his style is completely different from his brothers,when you get the two together, they create something special everytime they step in the ring. Both were highly sought after from WWE but ultimately signed elsoewhere but their short time in Impact is one of the reasons I kept coming back. Then there's LAX who I wasn't to big on at first being I was stil not getting used to this new incarnation since I was used to the original in Homicide and Hernandez who I still like. Of course Homicide is with Kingston (who I've grown to be a fan of) in the NWA now. After sometime went on this new LAX to me earned why they deserved to be given the name. The inital feud started out respectable that turned into a chaotic one, culminating in Full Metal Mayhem (Impacts version of TLC) which also acted as Lucha Bros last match with the company but what a way to go out.
