Fantasy Booking Jeff Hardy’s Path To The WWE Championship
By Josh Raibick
In the past month Jeff Hardy has returned to WWE, won the United States Championship, and switched brands to WWE SmackDown Live. Yet the plan still seems to be to push Hardy into the main event scene, but how?
Jeff Hardy finds himself in a similar standing on the card as he did in 2008. Early in 2008, Hardy was the Intercontinental Champion, this time around he is the United States Champion.
Both championships are mid-card titles, but Hardy is far from being just a mid-card talent. A suspension derailed Hardy’s momentum in 2008, and this time around Hardy is being reintroduced as a singles star following an absence due to injury.
Right now, a path where Hardy finds himself in a WWE Championship match seems far away. There are obstacles and major questions that must be answered before The Charismatic Enigma is crowned WWE Champion.
Who does he lose the United States Championship to? When?
The Miz, but after WWE Summerslam 2018. Most fans believe that The Miz will face Daniel Bryan at the biggest event of the summer, and they are probably correct.
Since Miz and Bryan would likely need an extra month after Summerslam to finish their feud, the end of September or beginning of October would be a good time to start Miz vs. Hardy. Miz is the perfect candidate, not just because he has a reputation for injecting life into mid-card championships, but he is the perfect opponent who can elevate Hardy while still beating him.
Miz has the segment Miz TV, because he is so good at talking up his opponents while also getting an immense amount of heat on himself. Hardy needs to lose to a cowardly heel who gets outside interference.
Losses in the initial championship match and the championship rematch need to feel like Hardy was the better man, and that justifies Hardy setting his sights at bigger and better goals post Miz feud.
When is the payoff? When would he win the WWE Championship?
Get ready for a cliché answer, WWE WrestleMania 35. While I do not agree with setting plans far ahead for big events, I would make WrestleMania the initial plans for Hardy to win the WWE Championship and monitor crowd reactions.
Hardy is a low risk fan favorite because he garners support from different demographics in the WWE Universe. Hardy is a good merchandise seller, and his look and bright colors are kid friendly, while his high impact offense draws cheers from even the smarks in the crowd.
Every great underdog story deserves a WrestleMania moment, and that should be no different for Hardy.
Who should be his opponent at WrestleMania?
Easy, Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura is an example of a superstar that is so similar, yet so different to Hardy. Both gimmicks bring excitement, and have an auro around the superstar that do not require elaborate microphone skills.
Both Nakamura and Hardy can also be described as artists because of the unique presentations of their characters. That is about where the similarities end and the differences begin.
Nakamura is the King of Strong Style, and is known as a physical, hard-hitting superstar. Whereas Hardy is an aerial specialist, who is more finesse than physical presence.
Finally, if it was logistically possible, I would suggest a Hell in a Cell match. Unfortunately this would be extremely difficult due to the fact that WrestleMania 35 will be outdoors at MetLife Stadium.
Instead, a ladder match might fit the spot of an outdoor stadium better, as it would be easier to suspend a championship (similar to WrestleMania 31) than a massive steel structure. Jeff Hardy at WrestleMania just needs a death defying stunt that makes the event even more memorable, and that is why I would choose a ladder match over a regular singles match.
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Either way a match between Hardy and Nakamura is a true dream match, as you would not be able to YouTube another variation of the two, you would have to watch WrestleMania to see it.