10 Things About Ladder Matches That Don't Make Sense

Ladder matches have been a staple of wrestling for decades now, and despite the gimmick seemingly reaching a saturation point at times, it remains one of the favorite match types among fans. The sheer destruction that ensues during such matches more or less guarantees spectator investment from start to finish.

Related: 10 Wrestlers That Surprisingly Never Competed In A Ladder Match

Such has been the importance and effectiveness of this match type that many wrestlers have become intrinsically connected to it, thanks to their success or because of the risks they're willing to take. However, not everything about ladder matches makes absolute sense, and many times, fans are left scratching their heads at what is happening.

10 Superheavyweights Struggle

One of the first things that pop up to mind when thinking about nonsensical ladder match aspects is the size of the titular props. Most ladders are made such that they can support any normal to heavy superstar without issues. However, they aren't made to support superheavyweight competitors unless special, customized props are made for this very purpose.

When competitors like Big Show are entered into such matches, it obviously makes less sense for him to have to use ladders that are flimsy at best relative to his height. It instantly puts him at a disadvantage, and even if he is given a special, larger ladder, it will only be him trying to place and use it when the time calls for it. There have to be better ways for promotions to utilize their superheavyweight men and the ladders that they will use as props.

9 Going Down In Flames

Another thing that seemingly makes less sense is a wrestler scratching and clawing their way to the top of the ladder, only to decide to do a move on a prone opponent below instead of grabbing the prize hung above. While it does have a certain element of daredevilry to it and puts across the performer as brave and willing, it also shows them in a negative light. Why would someone sacrifice a win for a move onto an enemy below, even if they have a history together that might have overlapped with that ladder match?

It makes the wrestler come across as more dumb and indecisive than courageous or self-sacrificial. Anyone entering such a match should already know to take even a small window of opportunity that comes their way, for such are the fine margins between wins and losses. Instead, we have an immature daredevil attempting to play to the audience instead of going for the win.

8 Wait For Who?

Perhaps the most infuriating thing about ladder matches is the wait. This happens when wrestlers suddenly go all buttery below the waist and are suddenly unable to climb a ladder despite the signs that the coast is clear. However, in an ironic twist, they would just have hit a suicide dive seconds earlier, making this practice all the more baffling.

RELATED: 10 Craziest Jeff Hardy Stunts, RankedAnd then there is the spot where wrestlers are literally atop the ladder, but the entry of someone or a distraction leads them to completely forget where they are and what they are supposed to be doing. The prize, be it a briefcase, title, or prop, might be hanging above, waiting to be grabbed, but the performer completely forgets it and just waits till the person distracting them has come down to the ring to do their bit.

7 Size Them Up

As discussed earlier, ladder size can be a major deterrent to certain competitors. Larger athletes are instantly put at a disadvantage, but that is not the only weird thing about these matches. There are sometimes ladders that are just short, meaning performers of a certain height have issues reaching the prize hung above them.

We have seen them use these ladders as weapons, but why keep them around the ring in the first place if they are not going to be of help for their major function, i.e. be climbed? Again, while it opens the scope for more creativity, wrestlers more or less have to think out of the box so that they do not face the consequences of this misfit too much.

6 Multi-Ladder Spot

So many times, fans have seen ladders set up at awkward heights, places, and angles waiting for wrestlers to feel their brunt. At times, multiple ladders are set up with the express, telegraphed purpose of putting someone through them. And while it is a cool visual and pops fans, it ends up making the performers look dim, yet again.

Having seen numerous ladder matches play out similarly, why would any performer go near these temporary structures knowing the consequences are almost always the same. However, one poor (read, dumb) soul invariably ends up getting too close to such multi-ladder setups, seemingly having lost their senses, and they end up being put through the metallic objects, almost always meaning the end of their night.

5 Tag Team Sacrifice

Jeff Hardy will attest to this with all the conviction of a man who knows a thing or two about putting themselves through dozens of ladders over decades. This is also especially true of tag team ladder matches, where one partner puts their body on the line, usually by putting their opponent(s) through a ladder, taking themselves out of the match.

Related: 10 Best Tag Team Ladder Matches In WWE History

However, why would any sane and well-prepared team put themselves in harm's way, even if it is to get rid of a pesky enemy? Taking themselves out means their strength and tactics have been reduced to half, while other teams may still be at full strength. Only the densest of minds would do this, but this is so much more common than fans might think, so it must just be an industry thing!

4 Distance Matters

Another weird habit of wrestlers is to set up ladders that are nowhere near where the prize is. What exactly this accomplishes is anyone's guess, but a win is definitely not one of them.

While it makes sense if such a setup leads to a fun spot that pops the crowd or makes the highlight reel, doing so with the prop hanging quite a distance away can just make the wrestler come across as kind of dopey.

3 Where's The Interference?

A ladder match is basically a free-for-all, where the performers can go hell-for-leather without worrying about any rules from a normal match being in play. What they need to worry about is the soreness of their bodies the next day!

But seriously, why is it that a ladder match sees lesser outside interferences when the format literally begs for one every time, while we see so much of the same happening in totally nondescript, run-of-the-mill TV matches across promotions? Wrestlers using their outside influence to get an edge during this gimmick match should be a more prominent feature, for it shows their planning and strategy.

2 What About The Weapons?

Again, a ladder match is no-holds-barred, more or less, yet we rarely see wrestlers use weapons apart from the titular props to gain an advantage. It is literally written in the rules that participants can go all weapons blazing in search of victory.

Related: 10 Craziest Ladder Bumps In Wrestling History

However, for some reason, most of them stick to ladders to incapacitate their opponents, leaving many wondering why they do not employ more weapons during the bout. It would only make that wrestler look smarter and more dangerous, which can only be a good thing for their credibility, no matter if they win or lose the match.

1 Ladders Can Wait

Many times, especially during singles ladder matches, the performers start by indulging in some traditional wrestling before finally remembering the stipulation and going for the ladders. What they are thinking only they would know, but engaging in proper grappling during such a gimmick bout makes very less sense.

A match with such an opportunistic nature should see the participants dashing for the ladder first to sell their desperation, not indulge in chain wrestling for the first 10 minutes. Again, this is something that many promotions have been guilty of, so perhaps they can try and bring some tweaks.