Edge was the former champion, he was stripped of the belt due to injury on the go-home Raw, leading Eric Bischoff to schedule this match for tonight. I enjoyed their match at Wrestlemania XX which was unfortunately underlooked by a lot of fans. Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match. JR says 5 Hall of Famers had won the Intercontinental title at this point in history, which is laughable today. All outside parties are banned from ringside for this match, also. Namely Christian's bodyguard Tyson Tomko and Trish Stratus. Christian climbs the ladder during his entrance to show he can.
CHRISTIAN VS. CHRIS JERICHO (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
WWE Unforgiven 2004 (12th September 2004)
They talk under the championship belt for a while, Christian slaps Chris Jericho but gets taken down. Chris Jericho punches Christian on the mat and sends him off the ropes, Christian runs into a back elbow, then Jericho suplexes him down and takes him to the corner. Christian kicks Jericho in the gut and switches positions, getting an overhand chop for the “woo” the second attempt doesn't have the same reaction so he brings Jericho down with a kick to the gut and a right hand. Christian boots at Jericho and stands on his chest, breaking for the (unnecessary) 5-count. The fans chant “CLB as Christian sends Jericho off the ropes but ducks early. Chris Jericho kicks him in the chest but gets sent over the top rope, landing on the apron. Chris Jericho ducks a right hand, bringing Christian over the top rope to the arena floor. Chris Jericho tries to drop a ladder onto Christian, but Christian is able to run away, he cuts Jericho off when he's chased and sends Jericho's head into the apron. Christian brings it back into the ring and stomps on Jericho as we see Christian get sent to the floor again. Christian chokes Jericho on the middle rope.
Chris Jericho is sent across the ring but holds on to the ropes. Christian charges and there seems to be a miscommunication as Jericho looks to send him out of the ring again, but he ends draped on the middle rope. Chris Jericho picks up speed, launching himself into Christian's back. Christian walks into an enziguri by Jericho, who picks up a ladder from ringside. Christian is back on his feet, he tries to send the ladder into Jericho with a baseball slide, but Jericho moves the ladder and rams it into Christian. Chris Jericho tries to squash Christian's head using the ringpost and the ladder but Christian ducks. Christian sends Jericho into the crowd, but it doesn't last long, with Jericho sending Christian back over to ringside and chokes him with a cable. Chris Jericho uses the momentum from an irish whip to land on the ring steps but jumps back into a kick to the gut. Christian hits the Unprettier on the floor and brings a ladder into the ring for the first time.
Chris Jericho grabs at Christian's ankle as he touches the belt, bringing him back down to the floor. Christian sends Jericho into the ladder, always the worst strategy I find in these matches, Christian positions the ladder over the top turnbuckle but gets sent into it himself as Jericho reverses the irish whip! Chris Jericho drops the ladder over Christian's shoulder and sets it up under the championship. Christian tries to run interference but gets sent into the corner sternum first. He is able to shove Jericho into the ladder to create an opening and positions the ladder over the middle rope in the corner. Christian forces Jericho underneath and catapults him into the ladder. As Christian sets the ladder back up Lawler mentions he should probably get a new one, Chris Jericho is able to stop Christian climbing again but gets sent into the corner for his troubles. Christian gives Jericho the ladder to hold in the corner and the strategy is literally thrown back in his face.
Chris Jericho knocks Christian down as we see the replay, climbing to the top rope to drop the ladder over Christian again. Chris Jericho sets the ladder up in the corner and turns his attention back to Christian. Chris Jericho gets sent across the ring, he attempts a bulldog but gets sent into the ladder, catching his knee in the rungs. Christian rams Jericho into the ladder before hanging him upside down using the rung he's still trapped in. Christian sandwiches Jericho between a running splash and the ladder. Christian sets it back up and begins to climb, but is brought back down by Jericho's taunting. Christian charges into a standing dropkick by Jericho, kicking the ladder back into him. Chris Jericho hits a running bulldog, sending Christian's head into the ladder. Chris Jericho closes the ladder onto Christian repeatedly. Chris Jericho attempts a lionsault but his knee connects with the ladder without Christian inside. Christian grabs the ladder and rams it into Jericho's head. Chris Jericho rolls to the floor with more than a little assistance from gravity as Christian sets the ladder back up, slowly climbing to the top.
Chris Jericho appears at the foot of the ladder, following Christian but Christian fights him off with right hands. Chris Jericho uses his body weight to swing the ladder and tip it over, sacrificing himself in the process. Christian is stuck holding onto the championship and its hoist, but Jericho helps him out of his situation, ramming the ladder into him to knock him down. Chris Jericho sets the ladder up over Christian, but Christian is able to slide free and tilts the ladder over, sending Chris Jericho into the ropes. Chris Jericho lands on the mat, rolling out to the floor. Christian climbs the ladder again, Chris Jericho just makes it to the ring and is able to follow Christian, Christian kicks at Jericho but Jericho catches his leg. Jericho knocks Christian back into a Walls of Jericho across the top of the ladder! Christian is able to fight it off, but drops down to the ring floor. Christian tackles the ladder, knocking Jericho down to the mat and Jericho tweaks his lower back on the fallen ladder. Christian brings a fresher, taller ladder into the ring and begins to climb. Chris Jericho climbs the original ladder but is a step behind Christian. They fight over the championship belt at the top of the ladders and Jericho tries to swing it at Christian, but it misses. Chris Jericho brings them both down to the mat with a facebuster! Jim Ross mentions that the championship belt is now a moving target as Chris Jericho makes his way to the top of the ladder and grabs the Intercontinental championship belt.
WINNER: CHRIS JERICHO (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)
I preferred the match at Wrestlemania, although this match had more risk and reward for both guys it didn't seem to get out into gear, they have had better matches than this but worth a watch for a new champion. – WORKRATE: 2.25/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 1.5/5 OVERALL 3.75/10
This match is available from the WWE release “The greatest Ladder matches”
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