Jeff Hardy Edged Out

“Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Edge is covering The Game.” Jim Ross screamed as the “ultimate opportunist” Edge got the 1-2-3 to become a world champ for a historic fifth time.

Fans were shocked as the last time we saw Edge he was sent to Hell by the Undertaker. But they weren’t nearly as surprised, or disappointed, as Jeff Hardy.

Survivor Series was supposed to be Jeff’s time to shine, his day to grasp the proverbial brass ring that has eluded him for so long. But it was not to be.

He was outdone and outsmarted by a man who has been just one step ahead of him since day one...Edge.

The lives and careers of Edge and Jeff Hardy have mirrored one another.  Both started out as kids, practicing their moves in backyards and schoolyards. And both future stars told everyone who would listen that one day they’d be champs.

What they didn’t know was that neither would make it without the other.

In 1998 Edge reunited with his “brother” Christian as a part of the dark faction, the Brood. This legion didn’t last long as their leader turned on the duo and looked to form the New Brood, with Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy.

The two tag teams began to do battle, which culminated in the first ever tag team ladder match in the finals of the Terri Invitational Tournament. Both teams shocked the world as they put on one of the best matches in recent history. It would be the last big victory Jeff would have over Edge in a while.

Edge and his partner Christian went on to top Jeff and his brother Matt in the first two TLC matches. Each time every participant became one step closer to legendary status. Each time Jeff was edged out by his main rival.

From there, the two left on separate paths. Jeff left the company to fight his demons while Edge went on to become King of the Ring along with multiple Intercontinental title reigns.

Edge then picked up the Hardy feud when he began dating Matt's real-life girlfriend Lita. It was a feud that propelled Edge to world title status, and eventually cost Matt Hardy his job.

And after weeks of hype, Jeff Hardy made his long-awaited return. His first opponent was his rival, and world champ, Edge. Jeff would win the match, but not the belt, as Edge one-upped him again, causing a DQ finish.

The feud lived on as the two were part of the six-man Money in the Bank match at WrestleMania 23. The winner would get to claim his shot at the world title; the losers would just be a part of the match that steals the show. Jeff looked to destroy Edge and pull down the briefcase. He would have to settle for the first of the two.

A legdrop from the top of the 20-foot ladder on the prone body of Edge did more harm than good. Both men were unable to continue. And although Edge would not be able to repeat as MIB winner, Jeff couldn’t lay claim to that title, either.

Another failed wellness check for Jeff and a few more world title reigns for Edge later, the two WWE superstars’ paths crossed again.

It’s the morning before Jeff is supposed to challenge Triple H and Vladimir Koslov for the world title. Jeff is feeling confident, that is until he is knocked out in his hotel, unable to compete in the matchup he’s been waiting for.

The Survivor Series match goes on without him. Triple H defends his belt against Vladimir until Vickie Guerrero announces that the match will continue as planned, a triple threat. But the music that hit was not Jeff’s but Edge’s.

Edge went on to take Jeff’s place in the high profile match. Jeff couldn’t sit around and let him steal his spotlight. He charged his battered body from the back to derail Edge, but he was outplayed once again as Edge speared The Rainbow-Haired Warrior and covered Triple H for the win.

“On this day I see clearly...everything has come to life.”  The lyrics for Edge’s theme songs never rang truer...for Jeff. Because now he knows that it is Edge who is making history, not him. And Edge seems to be doing it at his expense.

Will Jeff be able to pull it together to finally upend his rival? Or will their final battle turn out like it always does, with Edge’s hand lifted in victory? Only time will tell. But we will all tune in to see.