Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy: WHY?

[Fox]

Why are they having two of the ONLY over faces on RAW face each other at Armaggeddon?

Yeah, I get the storyline "logic" with having Coach punish them by wrestling each other. That works. But why are they REALLY doing this? Just like they gave Jericho that "never happened" World Title win to test out his reaction from the fans. Just like they gave Chris Benoit a false WWE Title win on PPV in 2000 against The Rock, only to restart the match - to test out Benoit's fan reaction.

So, are they trying to elevate Jeff to the main event by wrestling HHH? The only way this could be done would be to have Jeff get a win over Hunter on the PPV. Any type of a loss is only going to be seen as a solid, compounding, verification of who Jeff Hardy is in the great sceheme of the WWE's rankings: an upper mid-carder for life. On the other hand, a real victory would be just the final notch that Jeff would need on his proverbial belt to be seen as a real, viable, glass-ceiling breaking new main eventer in the mold of Eddie Guerrero, Edge, and Shawn Michaels before him.

Or, is this some type of punishment from the ego-driven Triple H, trying to knock the legs out from under the only other person besides Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho that could be seen as a top face on RAW? Jeff's reactions have been huge lately, sometimes even outpopping The Game himself.

Thoughts?

[BigDaddyCool]

Further more why isn't Jeff getting a shot at Orton?

[Jeritron]

I see what you're saying. It'd be stupid if they had him job. If he beats HHH clean, that's great because it helps him and doesnt' really hurt HHH. I mean, if Rock can job to Hurricane and Angle can job to black machisimo, why can't HHH lose a hard fought match to Hardy, maybe even abruptly with a roll up or close call third count.

But it Hardy loses, its fucking retarded because he's as over as anyone has been for a long time.

Either way, I see this as your typical face vs face punishment match to drive a wedge. I think the best bet for this match (if they're not gonna have Hardy go over) would be to have a suprisingly close and hard fought match with Jeff giving HHH the match of his life. Have them fight it right down to the wire and when it looks like Jeff might win, in come the fat slobs to beat them down. Then it is clear what the plan was all along.

[Nark Order]

I think if they play it like Jeff is the underdog and they're expecting him to get walked through it'll work out in Jeff's favor. Remember that ladder match with the Undertaker forever ago? "LIVE YOUR DREAM KID"

You could have Jeff almost pull out victory a number of times but have Trips get him at the end cause he's Trips.

[Fox]

But that doesn't help to elevate him. Sure he can wrestle with Hunter and probably look good, but it suggests that he can't win in the big time. And that will translate over to Jeff wrestling Edge, Batista, Orton, HBK, Jericho, Cena, or anyone else in the future (all of those guys, with the exceptions of Jericho and Edge, have beaten HHH at some point or another).

I think they either need to go all the way with this thing with Jeff, giving him the win, maybe even a ROH-style handshake before and after, and making him look like a million bucks.

Then they can shaft his ass down to Smackdown to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Title for all I care. I just do not want to see another promising young star get shit-canned by the HHH-factor again.

[Mr. JL]

I think this match has the potential to be an absolutely great.

[Kane Knight]

Not seeing a problem here.

[Johnny Vegas]

As long as Jeff wins, i have NO problem. I don't care for the whole Undertaker v. Jeff Hardy thing again. That has HAPPENED already. Like Fox said, we don't need to see HHH dominate and win b/c not only will HHH STILL get the same pops, but it will make him look like A-rod/Peyton M. pre-Superbowl win.

Seriously, if Jeff does not win this, then the WWE will eventualy go bankrupt because Jeff's fanbase is about half of the crowd, the way it sounds on RAW.

[Xero]

LOL at people thinking Jeff will win.

Especially if the Boone rumor about Triple H turning heel is true, there's no way Jeff is going over.

[Johnny Vegas]

But even you've got to admit, X, that shit would be pointless if he (Jeff) lost.

[Xero]

If it does turn him it won't exactly be pointless.

What better way to get heat than to have Triple H beat the shit out of one of the bigger crowd favorites?

Am I saying it's the best way to go? No, but even with Jeff losing it's still a good way to give him a high profile match. I don't think he'll be buried. In fact, this could help him more that it would hurt him.

[KingofOldSchool]

Actually I see Hardy winning at the PPV and HHH turns heel afterwards and then getting his win back at the Royal Rumble.

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vegas But even you've got to admit, X, that shit would be pointless if he (Jeff) lost.

Turning Trips heel seems to be precisely the point. Why would that be pointless?

[Skull316]

Jeff starts getting the better of Trips, Trips gets his trusty sledgehammer and wrecks Jeff. DQ win, and Trips is instant heel.

[Loose Cannon]

I can see it ending up like Warrior/Savage at SS 92

[Jeritron]

I have a feeling this match is gonna be awesome too

[Jeritron]

I strongly believe HHH will begin to dominate him, and he'll come from behind. Maybe turn the tides by kicking out of a pedigree last minute (after a delayed pin). Then have HHH like "wtf" and have Jeff fight back and hit a swanton, only to have HHH kick out. Then I think Umaga and Snitsky will beat them down cuz they have nothing left and they'll continue on as a tag team.

Then you have the mutual respect elevated, but HHH is kinda weary of Jeff and at the same time he still never beat HHH or vice versa. Have them run as a tag team until the heel in HHH sets itself free and he becomes jealous. And as The Game he strikes at his friendly rival when he's most vulnerable to turn heel and they fued

[Kane Knight]

He'll probably hit all his major moves, go for a pin, get his momentum stopped by the leaping knee counter, BAM! Pedigree, it's over.

[Jeritron]

I'd rather see no clean finish, and if HHH has to go over him in the long run have it be in a 2/3 falls match or something

[Jeritron]

This is kinda stupid, but I envision Jeff Hardy winning the title (if and when he ever does) in a ladder match where he's faced with the choice of hitting a death defying spot or grabbing the belt and is legitimately torn. Grabs the belt and still hits the swanton through a table belt in hand haha

Just a stupid thought. Would kinda suck, but would be so appropo

[Johnny Vegas]

Originally Posted by Kane Knight Turning Trips heel seems to be precisely the point. Why would that be pointless?

Not the fact that HHH turns or w/e. I'm talking about a CLEAN pin from HHH, w/o any turning whatsoever. THAT would be pointless because Jeff would get nothing out of it, but some of these scenarios ppl are typing above will most likely happen.

Now if Jeff doesn't go over cleanly, HHH should use the sledge as a "scapegoat", showing that he "can't" beat Jeff clean. The whole Snitsky/Umaga coming in thing MAYBE would work just to set up another match for HHH/Jeff, maybe a gimmick type of match. And, tbh, the crowd reactions will probably determine who will turn. But, then again, i think HHH will probably turn regardless.

It would actually be fun if they went at it like Booker T/Benoit did back in WCW with the "best of" series. Would make for interesting television and have gimmicks like 2/3 falls, ladder match, and finally No DQ match. I think that that would elevate Jeff and at the same time show ppl that HHH still has some left in him.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I remember thinking the same question to myself when I heard that Rock ’N Sock Connection would fight Evolution (Orton, Flair & Batista, minus Trips for obvious reasons) @ Mania XX in ’04. But then I put 2 and 2 together after the show and figured that it must have been WWE Management putting Orton and Batista over a couple of the most well-known and respected superstars in WWE history (or at least of the mid-late 1990's), to get them ready to take the next step as main eventers in the future, and as world champions. If Jeff doesn’t go over HHH @ Armageddon, it’s probably a sign that he will be buried soon after. If, however, Jeff does win, then there’s a good possibility he will become a main event champ within the next year or so. But, also, J.R. mentioned something about Snitsky wanting Jeff’s belt, so before he could even become the next WWE or World Champ he'd have to drop the I.C. strap to him or whoever Vince thinks in his own mind is worthy of it...

[Stickman]

I think HHH will win because it's a non title match.

[Johnny Vegas]

True that@DAMn . I think that they will pull the earlier HHH/Hardy thing where HHH was the IC champ and he dropped it to Jeff to move back up. Snitsky as champ would be interesting, but GOD i want the title on Santino so bad. Great men have held that title and that title has MADE careers. And as much as i don't want to see it, they just need to get rid of ECW instead of it being VincECW. That shit is for the birds. Have ppl like CM, Morrison, Burke, BDV, and others go to either SD! or RAW to spice things up on tv. I'd love an Edge/Batista v. CM Punk fued. Morrison v. Flair could elevate Morrison and he could be the one to end Flair's career but that is just a thought. There are sooo many mix-ups that could happen, but it will be at VincECW's expense.

Back to Jeff/HHH tho lol, Jeff could definitely contend for the title if he takes some fucking acting classes or gets some coaches or something. I'm sure he'd agree to it if he's getting a run. Tbh, i like it better if stars didn't have coaches, but Jeff's reign, if he gets one, will be short-lived if he can't "rock the mic".

[Theo Dious]

I can't see a HHH heel turn coming out of this. Where's the heat in turning on Jeff fucking Hardy?

[Johnny Vegas]

Yea, exactly.

[Jeritron]

Yea wheres the heat gonna come from when Triple fuckin H, the heel to end all heels, turns on the shows most popular and innocent (never been heel) superstar and beats him up. He's smaller too.

If HHH turns on and beats up Jeff Hardy he'll get tremendous heel heat. I actually can't think of 2 superstars who better examplify this type of heel turn. And usually, this type of heel turn is the most effective with the exception of selling out to a McMahon maybe.

[Jeritron]

A cold hearted bitch breaking a retards heart and humilitating him in the ring. That gets pretty decent heat. But aside from that

[IC Champion]

Originally Posted by KingofOldSchool Actually I see Hardy winning at the PPV and HHH turns heel afterwards and then getting his win back at the Royal Rumble.

My thoughts exactly.

[Funky Fly]

Originally Posted by KingofOldSchool Actually I see Hardy winning at the PPV and HHH turns heel afterwards and then getting his win back at the Royal Rumble.

Get out of my head, you mind witch.

[Mr. Pierre]

A street fight between the two at the Rumble (8 year anniversary of HHH/Cactus) would be great (if Trips does turn heel after Armageddon)

EDIT: Plus with a street fight, it's almost impossible to make Hardy look weak. Kicking out after a couple of sick power move spots, and also dishing out a few high-flying spots of his own would make for a great match in MSG.

[DarKCentaur]

What if Jeff turns heel? Just a thought

[weather vane]

Boy do I hate Jeff Hardy. I hope he loses to IC title soon and goes into the MIB match at Wrestlemania. It is all he is good for.

[Fox]

Originally Posted by Jeritron Yea wheres the heat gonna come from when Triple fuckin H, the heel to end all heels, turns on the shows most popular and innocent (never been heel) superstar and beats him up. He's smaller too.

Sorry to nitpick, but Jeff Hardy was technically a heel when he debuted alongside Matt as part of Gangrel's "New Brood."

In fact, he was a "heel" up until the No Mercy Ladder Match against Edge and Christian, where the win, the overness that followed, and their falling out with Terri Runnels and Gangrel turned them face.

[Fox]

Back on topic though, what if Jeff Hardy turned heel and started wearing like a suit and tie sort of deal out to the ring, cut his hair, shaved part of his signature sideburns, and starts acting like a primadonna ala Corporate Rock?

Would that work? Ever? Because it's the only way I see Jeff Hardy turning heel and getting over as one with his teenybopper/goth-wannabe fans.

[Jeritron]

That would work if he could talk, but he can't. So he should stay the way he is because it's only getting more over with time, as opposed to dying out. He's been the same Jeff Hardy since 99 and that's what people still want.

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by Jeritron That would work if he could talk, but he can't. So he should stay the way he is because it's only getting more over with time, as opposed to dying out. He's been the same Jeff Hardy since 99 and that's what people still want.

He's getting the same pop he got five years ago. It only sounds bigger because the crowds are mostly dead. How the fuck is he getting more over?

[Corkscrewed]

Einstein would say it's all relative. Therefore, you are wrong, and physics is right.

[Mr. Nerfect]

What I think will happen, is that Triple H beats Jeff Hardy clean. It won't be an easy win, and they'll probably have Triple H stare at Jeff Hardy after the match, in a "Wow, that was tough" moment, as the commentators talk about his resilience.

It's not likely to happen, but I think the feud should continue, with Hardy wanting to defend the IC Title against Triple H, to prove he can beat him. The Game laughs at Jeff, and says he and the belt are beneath him (without fully turning heel), and warns Jeff not to get on his bad side. Jeff tells Triple H that he will eliminate him from the Royal Rumble Match, and Triple H says that won't happen. During the Rumble, Triple H enters, and beats on everything that moves, maybe tosses a few people; but a few entries later, Jeff Hardy runs out, goes right after Triple H, and unloads all his signature moves on him. Jeff Hardy then tosses Triple H from the match, as he said he would.

Triple H is none to happy about getting tossed, and stands on the ramp, smiling at Jeff Hardy as he goes about his business in the ring, and then Triple H runs back in, hitting a few referees is they try and stop him, and he beats on Jeff Hardy with signature moves of his own, and then tosses Jeff. Heel turn complete. You can even have him tease a sledgehammer shot, only for the referees to swarm Triple H, and security to escort him out.

This leads to Jeff Hardy and Triple H having a second match, for the IC Title, on either RAW or even No Way Out. Triple H says he wants the belt, because the belt is only as good as the Champion, and Jeff Hardy is nowhere near The Game's level. Triple H talks about how the belt was once the best stepping stone to becoming World Champion, but it's lost stature over the years, and he plans to restore it. He can even bring up his Ladder Match against The Rock, talking about he climbed a ladder to become Intercontinental Champion, and all Jeff wants to do is jump off ladders with the belt. Jeff can retort that he is more focused than ever, and he wants to be the greatest IC Champion of all-time. The IC Title Match is won by Triple H, after he cheats a little, and The Game enters his sixth reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion.

The first WWE Intercontinental Championship Match to be held at a WrestleMania event in six years is signed, as Triple H defends the belt against Jeff Hardy. The Game says that he wants to embarrass Jeff Hardy on this grand stage, and Jeff says he will finally climb the ladder, rather than jump off it, at Triple H's expense. The match sees Triple H look for a superplex, only to get knocked off, and hit with a Swanton Bomb. Triple H looks to be stirring, so Jeff goes up and hits a second, and then gets the pin. Jeff Hardy wins the Intercontinental Championship for the fifth time from Triple H, his second victory from him, in actuality. Triple H then tries to get some post-match revenge on Jeff, but Matt Hardy (who hopefully wins the US Title from MVP earlier in the night), runs out for the save, and The Hardys celebrate with their belts together.

[Jeritron]

Seriously, what you suggested wasn't bad at all. I love the use of the Rumble in the fued. But in that event I wouldn't have him turn heel on Jeff at the Rumble. Rather later down the road during a tag match when it's least expected.

Then book the Mania fued from there. I don't think it should be for the IC title though, since that fued would have plenty of dynamic on it's own.


As for the Matt Hardy thing, got me thinking...


A Matt Hardy/Jeff Hardy fued would be so great sometime down the road, except for the fact that it'd fail where it could be amazing..the promo department. Neither has the ability to carry the ball with the promos, which would be a huge part of such a fued. It'd still be interesting, and probably should still happen, but thanks to neither one of them being any good on the stick a potentially classic fued will fall short.