Our first match of the Best in Show 2006 pits “The Rated R Superstar” Edge against the “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy.
The history between these two men is ugly and well documented.
Their paths first crossed back in 1999 where Jeff and his brother Matt won a series of matches against Edge and Christian in the Terri Invitational Tournament to garner the services of Terri Runnels at No Mercy ‘99 and $100,000. It was at this event that both teams engaged in the first ever tag team ladder match, where the Hardys came out victorious.
A few months later in April at WrestleMania 2000, Edge and Christian defeated the Hardy Boys and the Dudley Boyz to win their first WWF Tag Team Title in a Triangle Ladder match which birthed the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. This would be the first taste of gold for Edge, but certainly not the last.
Fast forward through 8 years, many classic matches between the two men, nearly career-ending injuries, and these Superstars are at it again Only this time, for the right to become Best in Show 2006.
Tale of the Tape:
EDGE
* WWE Championship (2 times)
* WWE Intercontinental Championship (5 times)
* WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* WWF/E World Tag Team Championship (11 times) – with Christian (7), Chris Benoit (2), Hulk Hogan (1) and Randy Orton (1, Current)
* WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rey Mysterio
* King of the Ring (2001)
* Mr. Money in the Bank (2005)
* Fifteenth Triple Crown Champion
* Won 3 of 5 TLC Matches/involved in 5 of 6 TLC matches
JEFF HARDY
* WWE Intercontinental Championship (3 times, current)
* WWF Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Matt Hardy
* WWE European Championship (1 time)
* WWE Hardcore Championship (3 times)
* WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* WCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Matt Hardy
* Returned to the WWE in August, captured IC belt Oct. 2
* Two IC reigns this year
A battle that would be great enough to please anyone is actually more of a blow out. Edge has accomplished so much more in 2006 than Jeff Hardy has (even if you count his TNA tenure). The facts are the Edge has vaulted himself to the elite group of WWE Champions by successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank opportunity and winning the WWE Championship not once, but twice. He garnered the highest ratings for RAW in 2006 with a huge 5.2 rated “Live Sex Celebration” on the January 9th episode. He extended his WrestleMania record to 5-0 (second only to Undertaker’s 14-0), beat the likes of Mick Foley, The Big Show, Triple H, John Cena, and the team of Ric Flair/Rowdy Roddy Piper to become an 11 time tag team champion- the most ever in the WWE as an individual.
Jeff Hardy has been somewhat impressive, too, though. With the August announcement of his return to the WWE, Jeff hardy debuted to beat then WWE Champion Edge by disqualification. After a few unsuccessful attempts, Jeff finally beat Johnny Nitro to capture the Intercontinental Championship, losing it a month later, and then winning it back the following week to become a 3 time Intercontinental Champion. Jeff also highlighted the Survivor Series PPV by assisting his Team DX to capture a victory over Team RKO.
BOTTOM LINE
Another chapter in the storied rivalry between Jeff Hardy and Edge would be wonderful, although in the end it would be that your winner would be:
EDGE
