SummerSlam Recall, Match #17: Edge and Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz, SummerSlam 2000

​​By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Here on SummerSlam Recall, I will be ranking my top 20 favorite matches in WWE SummerSlam history. A new installment will be posted every day leading up to SummerSlam 2016, culminating with my No. 1 favorite match on Saturday, August 20th. Each article will offer an in-depth look at each match and an analysis of why it is among my favorites.​

You didn't honestly expect me to neglect this match, did you? Especially after I included the two other matches in the tremendous trilogy in my WrestleMania Recall series? Putting this in the top 20 was a no-brainer for me, as it entertained me just as much as the 'Mania matches did. It's similar to The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton in that their meetings at WrestleMania are better remembered because of the big stage, but as the first ever official Tables, Ladders and Chairs match, this was nothing short of spectacular.

​When I discussed both bouts earlier this year, I mentioned how these three teams ushered in an all-new era for tag team wrestling with their stellar series of matchups throughout 2000 and 2001. They, along with everyone else at WWE, knew they made magic at WrestleMania 2000 (arguably the best thing to come out of that lackluster event), and to cut the momentum short there would have been asinine. So, why not do it all over again at SummmerSlam, but this time officially advertise it as a TLC match?

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All right, so tables, ladders and chairs played a major part in the premier Triangle Ladder match as well, but no one knew that would have led to the creation of the TLC match. Either way, Edge and Christian, The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz were ready to make history for a second time at the August extravaganza. Although Edge and Christian walked out of WrestleMania as the World Tag Team Champions, their reign was interrupted by Too Cool, only to regain the gold a short time later before SummerSlam.

The devious duo of Edge and Christian were every bit as desperate here as they were at WrestleMania to retain their titles, but in such an unpredictable match, the odds of that happening were slim to none. They may have been able to top the two teams in Anaheim, but it wasn't likely that lightning would strike twice for them. There was so much animosity among the three tandems that it came as little surprise that they began brawling before the bell even rang with Jeff and Matt Hardy immediately introducing chairs to the contest.

The ladders were thrown into the mix not long after as the crowd chanted "We want tables!" repeatedly, and boy, did they get plenty of them! But before that, each team took turns standing out in some special way, and then The Dudley Boyz built momentum by going on an absolute tear. Bubba Ray hit Christian with a Bubba Bomb off the top of the ladder, following that up with a 3D to Christian through a table in the middle of the ring. "Let's kill them!" Bubba yelled to D-Von as they set their sights on The Hardyz, wanting to eliminate everyone one-by-one.

Thankfully, murder was not an option once Edge retaliated with a chair to take Bubba Ray and D-Von out of the equation momentarily. Unfortunately for The Rated-R Superstar, he became a victim of the numbers game as The Hardyz laid him out using terrific teamwork. Jeff went high risk by aiming to nail Bubba with a Swantom Bomb off the top of the ladder and through two tables at ringside, but Bubba moved before he could connect. Ouch!

That, however, was merely the beginning of the carnage. Once Bubba ascended the ladder, Edge and Christian sent him spiraling through two tables at ringside. That appeared to be their opening, but of course they overlooked the possibility of Lita interfering. She thwarted their attempt to win the match, but in doing so, she merely delayed the inevitable. D-Von disposed of Matt, Edge took care of Lita with a Spear, and Edge and Christian once again found a way to escape with their titles intact. Simply incredible.


SEE ALSO: "SummerSlam Recall, Match #18: Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon, SummerSlam 1995"