Pro wrestling icon Matt Hardy puts first tag team ladder match in historical perspective

TNA Wrestling star Matt Hardy talks to Fox News Digital about a career moment that doesn't get talked about enough.

Whichever version of Matt Hardy a pro wrestling fan may have enjoyed over the course of his more than 35 years in the sport, his innovative mind and versatile in-ring abilities may be what he will be remembered for most when he finally decides to hang up his boots.

Hardy has been a scene stealer in almost every company he’s worked for, whether it was WWE, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Ring of Honor or elsewhere.

Matt and Jeff Hardy enter the ring during NXT Halloween Havoc at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2025. (Andrea Kellaway/WWE)

The 51-year-old multi-time champion has done nearly everything in the business. 

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Fox News Digital asked Hardy in a recent interview which moment of his career he thought isn't talked about enough. Hardy pointed to the first-ever tag team ladder match he and his brother, Jeff, had with Edge and Christian at No Mercy 1999.

He said the match helped pave the way for the historic tables, ladders and chairs match that took place at SummerSlam 2000 and innovated the way inanimate objects are used in the wrestling ring.

"It’s crazy because my brother and I, we've been blessed to have so many great moments over our — Oct. 15 we'll be going into our 35th year of doing this as pro wrestlers, which is crazy," Hardy said. 

"A moment still that I don't think gets talked about quite enough — it got praised, especially when it happened — but just looking back at how monumental it was in changing the game was the first-ever tag team ladder match, I think.

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