This week, the WWE Network’s Hidden Gems get into the TLC spirit by focusing on the middle letter with a pair of unique ladder matches. The first is what is technically phrased as a “step ladder” match and comes from the AWA. Dated 11/27/1986, it pits Jerry Blackwell against Colonel DeBeers. Interestingly, multiple databases list the event that this match came from as a house show instead of a TV taping. Also, WWE released a 2 and a half minute clip (with commentary) of this contest on YouTube way back in December 2012. This would suggest that it may have appeared on Classics on Demand, but the description makes a point of calling the excerpt “rarely seen”. The inclusion of commentary would also point to this being on TV eventually, but as stated above, WWE has the date set as the event that it came from rather than any kind of televised airdate.

Next up, we’re headed to 1998 and prime ECW for a “Stairway to Hell” 6-man tag match. Basically boiling down to a barbed wire ladder match, (with the barbed wire suspended above the ring) it is one of the most violent stipulations that ECW ever created. Here, we see The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh, D-Von and Big Dick) vs Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, and Little Spike Dudley. This comes from the “A Matter of Respect” ‘supercard’ event. While full shows are always preferred, it’s always good to see the less well-known ECW being unearthed, no matter the form.

Here are the official synopses for both gems:

AWA 11/27/1986 – The Crusher and The Colonel Ten thousand dollars hangs in the balance for the man who can climb to the top of the ladder when Jerry Blackwell takes on Colonel DeBeers. ECW 05/16/1998 – The Stairway to Hell Barbed wire hangs high above the ring as The Dudley Boyz face The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and Spike Dudley in a Stairway to Hell match.

As always, these matches will be added to the Hidden Gems category in the Vault section of the WWE Network between 9 and 10 AM EST tomorrow morning.