Phoenix Arizona were left heartbroken as the Jeff Hardy took a risk that ended his career. After losing the World Heavyweight Title from CM Punk, Jeff Hardy issued his rematch clause in a Steel Cage Match for the following Smackdown. However, the newly crowned Champion proposed that who ever lost the match - would have to leave the WWE. Jeff Hardy, always living for the moment, accepted Punk's challenge and their Fates were set in stone by Smackdown GM Teddy Long.
Prior to the match, Jeff, applying his face paint, was visited by his brother Matt. Matthew Moore Hardy knows the huge risk that Jeff was taking accepting this match, but that's the way Jeff does things - That is why Matt said, "I respect you."
Matt has always been the older brother looking out for Jeff, but after coming back to see his brother as the World Heavyweight Champion and how the crowd cheers for him... his jealous rage subsided and understands that his brother is a man and can make his own decisions about his own life.
The Hardys joined the WWE when they were just kids. Jeff was actually only 16 but he lied about his age in order to try out. It was actually Matt who's life long dream it was to become a wrestler, while Jeff went along for the ride.
Since then, the two accomplished their dreams of becoming WWE World Tag Team Champions - and they have done that 7-times over. But their dreams kept growing, while other passions arose.
Jeff Hardy, in his first run with the WWE, kept missing house shows and failing drug tests. He was burned out, both physically and mentally. And no doubt, he had other passions other than wrestling.
On the Hardy Show, Jeff even mentions that he loves WWE, but it's more of a job than anything else. But during his three-year hiatus from the WWE, wrestling on the independent circuit and TNA, Jeff Hardy was drawn back and determined for a second run with the WWE.
Jeff Hardy, after his first run, was a multiple Tag Team, an Intercontinental, a European, and a Hardcore Champion - but he never won the Big one. People thought that Jeff would be one of those wrestlers with all the potential but never grasping the brass ring.
Jeff Hardy did have one WWE Title match against The Undertaker for the Undisputed WWE World Title in a ladder match. It was the match J.R. screamed at the top of the lungs, CLIMB THE LADDER KID, MAKE YOURSELF FAMOUS!
His second run around seemed at times to sore high, and at other times it fell low. Jeff was suspended twice for drug use and lost his home and his dog, Jack, to a fire. It didn't seem at all possible that Jeff Hardy would ever become the WWE Champion.
Until Armageddon 2008, Jeff Hardy entered the pay-per-view having stated on RAW that it doesn't matter if he walked, crawled, or carried out that he would become the WWE Champion. And wouldn't you know it, he actually pulled it off!
Until the following ppv, at the Royal Rumble, when Matt Hardy screwed Jeff over - thus, allowing Edge to become Champion.
But Jeff would get retribution at Backlash in an "I Quit" Match, where he forced Matt to utter the words I Quit, and I'm Sorry.
Then Jeff entered a program with Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship and finally became 2-time World Champion at Extreme Rules in a ladder match. Yet, he would lose it 5 minutes later when CM Punk cashed in to become the World Heavyweight Champion.
This started the feud with CM Punk and Punk's eventual heel change.
Tonight's Smackdown was one that truly embodied Living for the Moment as these two entered the Steel Cage and fought each other for the last time.
At one point, Jeff dangled outside the Steel Cage, and J.R. shouted, DROP DOWN AND DEAL WITH IT LATER!But Punk locked in a head lock and applied a superplex from the top turnbuckle. Jeff Hardy lay motionless, and was not quick enough to stop CM Punk from escaping the cage.
As the bell rung and Jeff remained in the ring, you can sense that he wanted to cry.
We all know that Jeff Hardy and the WWE were discussing contracts and trying to get him to resign - but Jeff wouldn't have it. I, myself, go on about leaving either my job or a club, but in reality even when you talk about it, you realize its a major part of who you are and the person you have become. So even though Jeff wanted to leave the WWE, it's still who he is and he loves the WWE.
Matt Hardy wrote on his WWE Universe Blog, "he needs time away to heal physically and mentally." Partially, the reason Jeff left were nagging neck and back pains - but also because in his heart, there is still so much to do - like paint, build, sing, and so much more. His creativity is the Imag-I-Nation and its for everyone to explore their talents and dreams. To be anything you want to be.
Prior to SummerSlam, CM Punk asked hims, "Do you think you can fly?" And Jeff responded, "I don't think I can fly, My Spirit Knows I CAN!!!"
Jeff Hardy said to the fans in his farewell speech:
First of all, I'm sorry if I let anybody down. I'm sorry that now you'll be seeing CM Punk instead of me.. on Smackdown. But it's been One Hell of a Ride, hasn't!? I want to thank all of you and let you know... this is not goodbye forever... this is only goodbye for now. And if the time is right... I'm sure I'll see you in the future. Thank You All! Hey, at least Matt is back on my side, there's still another Hardy on this show! Yours Truly, Jeff Hardy, ours truly, this life! [Hardy's gun gesture]
This time, Jeff Hardy left on good terms with the WWE - who were impressed how far up the ranks he got CM Punk over as a top-rated Heel.
Thank you Jeff Hardy for the memories, WWE will not be the same without you. You were the sole reason why I watched WWE and always loved to mimic your hand gestures and non-fear to heights. I believed in you, believed you would become the WWE Champion when everyone else gave up. I believed that you would have a real World Heavyweight Title reign, when everyone else thought impossible.
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