Rivalry Revisited: 3 Reasons Why Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk Worked

Once in a while there is a feud that writes itself, that feels so natural.  Let’s take a look at a rivalry that had every major component needed for compelling television and is perhaps one of the most underrated feuds of the past decade, Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk.

Jeff Hardy for most of his career was the lovable loser who would take any chance, and in the process would usually crash and burn. For all of 2008 and part of 2009 every time Hardy was within reach of the “brass ring”, it would just slip from his grasp.

This was a combination of violations against WWE’s Wellness Policy, limitations on the microphone, and being slightly undersized compared to the other main eventers at the time. Yet Hardy’s support from the WWE Universe warranted chance after chance to cement his status as a main eventer.

When the opportunity arose in 2009 for Hardy to challenge longtime rival Edge at Extreme Rules for the World Heavyweight Championship, it felt that this could be Hardy’s chance at a long championship reign compared to his previous one with the WWE Championship. Hardy and Edge battled in a ruthless ladder match that would see Hardy standing at the top of the ladder victorious.

Unfortunately for Hardy, his World Heavyweight Championship reign would be even more brief than his WWE Championship reign. Right before the pay-per-view could fade to black, “This Fire Burns” played over the speakers in what is now the Smoothie King Arena.

CM Punk shocked everyone in New Orleans and would cash in his Money in the Bank contract, and claim the World Heavyweight Championship after hitting a second GTS. This would be the seed planted for the birth of Punk’s heel run in the company over the next two years. As we all know the frustration of the previously mentioned heel run is what led to CM Punk’s “pipebomb” and “Summer of Punk” in 2011.

While a major run for Punk was just getting started, the one with Hardy was coming to a close. The story told between Punk and Hardy was a compelling one told throughout the summer of 2009, from the cash in at Extreme Rules all the way to the SmackDown following SummerSlam.

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Following four one on one matches (five if you count Extreme Rules), the rivalry still felt unfinished by the end. This is a credit to both men for telling such a compelling story and backing it up in the ring.

That being said, here are the three reasons why Punk vs. Hardy worked so well.