Christian and Matt Hardy: Ladder of No Success

Christian and Matt Hardy. WWE Superstars. Two veterans of the business, and two men highly respected for their ring ability by fans all over the world. For years, pro wrestling websites have posted commentary after commentary praising these two men for their hard work and commitment to the industry. Without fail, these columns always end with the same question: Why have Christian and Matt Hardy both never been given a chance at the top spot? This pro wrestling writer now poses the same question.

There are no easy answers here. Logic dictates that when a worker puts in his time, does everything that’s asked of him and performs at a high level every time he’s in the ring, that eventually he should be considered for something bigger. Namely, the World Title.

But that just is not the case here.

Christian and Matt each seemingly have everything it takes to be a star in this business. They can work, they’re popular with the crowd, and each have devised their own innovative move sets. They have gotten better over time, which is what you expect from a wrestler who is working his way to the top. After all, being satisfied with rating second best in ability is never acceptable to a worker who truly loves the business. They have each evolved.

We all know how these guys started.

Christian, after wrestling on the independent circuit for four years, got a break when he and tag team partner Edge received a tryout with the WWE in 1998. Edge was signed first, and then Christian, beginning a tag team run that would last for the next three years.

Matt Hardy also cut his teeth on the independent scene, before beginning his career with the WWE in 1994. He did what a lot of guys breaking in do he took his bumps and put other wrestlers over. But that all changed when he and his brother Jeff were signed to full time WWE contracts in 1998.

In that year, tag team wrestling was reborn right before our eyes.

The tag team renaissance consisted of three teams: Edge & Christian, The Hardyz, and The Dudleys. These six men made tag team wrestling important again, thrusting it back into main event status and making fans care about the division.

Not since the NWA era of The Rock n Roll Express, The Midnight Express and The Road Warriors had there been this much excitement over tag team wrestling. And I, for one, loved every minute of it.

Matt and Jeff didn’t say much. They didn’t have to. They let their high flying and death defying abilities do the talking for them. And their matches spoke volumes.

Edge and Christian were the more outspoken, more flamboyant act, a weird cross between the campy 1960’s Batman and a stupid funny Saturday Night Live sketch. But their talent in the ring was no joke. When it was time for business, these two men more than delivered.

Tables, ladders, and chairs. Three words that are forever linked in the business, thanks to these men.

What could have been just another gimmick match was taken to heights never imagined. However, these weapons weren’t the attraction. They were just props, tools to add more drama and excitement to the feud. To say it was a successful concept in putting these men on the pro wrestling map is an understatement of epic proportions.

Of course, all great angles ultimately wind down and come to an end.

All three teams eventually broke up and the six men involved moved on in one way or another. Yes, it was the end of a great run, but great things also came out of it. At least for two out of the six.

Edge became the “Rated R Superstar”, proving himself as a headliner, and went on to win the World and WWE Titles a combined nine times.

Jeff Hardy became “The Extreme Enigma”, arguably one of the biggest baby faces in WWE history, winning the World and WWE Titles a total of three times.

But the truth is Edge probably never would have gotten his initial title push had it not been for the fact that he had an affair with Matt’s girlfriend Lita.

Then there’s Jeff whose personal issues and legal troubles would make even Scott Hall blush. Yet, he is still one of the most popular wrestlers in the sport.

No one can argue that Edge and Jeff deserve their respective places in the business. No matter how they each got there, or what happens behind the scenes, the fact is they have worked hard to be where they are. That much is not in dispute for me.

What I do have a problem with is that their two tag team partners, the same guys who spent three years diving off ladders and crashing through tables, have received next to nothing for their efforts. Yes, they are in the spotlight, working for the biggest wrestling company in the world. And yes, they are each living their dreams of being professional wrestlers.

But when are the wrestling gods, or should I say god, going to smile on these two men?

Vince McMahon has two men sitting his locker room right now who, by all rights, have earned an opportunity to be “the man.” Despite any arguments to the contrary about their lengths of time in the business, or the fact that if it was going to happen, then it would have happened already, I for one just don’t buy it.

It’s not too late. These guys have proved their mettle in the ring and out of it. Yes, the WWE is trying to get “younger.” The idea is to move the product ahead with new, fresh faces. I get that. I also get that Christian and Matt, if given the chance, could tear the house down wrestling for the World Title.

Their spot on Friday Night Smackdown is very apropos. The fact that both men agreed that no one in the WWE hierarchy “cares about them” is probably not a true reflection of how they really feel. After all, if they truly felt that way, I doubt either one of them would be working for Vince right now.

No, this spot had little to do with the way each man feels personally about his place in the company. To me, it was more of a direct response to the chatter of fans all over the net who are screaming that Christian and Matt be given the opportunity that has been rightfully earned. It’s a smart move on the WWE’s part, and proves once again that they do not shy away from what the fans are talking about or what they want to see. WWE, it’s like this: Christian and Matt Hardy have climbed that ladder and can see the top. This time, don’t push them off of it.

Tom Clark July 5 2010.