Jim Ross Recalls Undertaker’s Only Ladder Match, Vs. Jeff Hardy

Jim Ross is looking back on one of the most talked-about matches of The Undertaker’s career — a bout he says the WWE Hall of Famer genuinely dreaded taking on.

In an excerpt from his book, Ross detailed the Undisputed Championship Ladder Match between The Undertaker and Jeff Hardy from the July 1, 2002 episode of Raw in Manchester, New Hampshire. According to Ross, WWE at the time was trying to figure out how to establish Hardy as a singles star following the breakup of The Hardy Boyz, and it was The Undertaker himself who stepped up to make it happen.

Ross noted that despite standing 6-foot-10 and weighing around 300 pounds, The Undertaker was never built for ladder matches — and in fact, this was the only one of his 35-year career. Ross said The Undertaker hated the physical demands of climbing and falling off a 16-foot ladder, but recognized it was the best way to spotlight Hardy’s high-flying style.

Ross also credited The Undertaker with heavily shaping the structure of the match itself, saying the pacing and storytelling made it clear he’d had a hand in laying it out beforehand. He praised the way the match built deliberately without losing the crowd, culminating in a moment after the bell that he said told the entire story: rather than punishing Hardy for refusing to back down, The Undertaker raised his hand in a show of respect, elevating him in the eyes of the fans despite the loss.

Ross pointed to Hardy’s later success — six world championships across multiple promotions — as proof of how effective that moment was in launching his singles career. He also used the story to praise The Undertaker’s broader legacy, calling him the greatest character in WWE history for his ability to adapt across eras while staying near the top of the card.

Looking back on his own experience calling the match, Ross said it remains one of his favorite nights on commentary, describing the raw emotion he felt watching Hardy and The Undertaker work through brutal bumps and stiff chair shots to win over the crowd — and him along with it.