From Dream to Extreme

The trio now known as the most extreme team in the World Wrestling Federation began innocently in 1997, when Matt Hardy made his debut in singles competition. He showed courage while facing strong opposition, but after limited success, Matt-making a decision that would change the face of the WWF-enlisted the aid of his brother Jeff to form a tag team. In one of their first televised matches, Matt and Jeff competed in a handicap match against Kane. The Big Red Machine quickly defeated the inexperienced tandem, throwing them out of the ring and on to the cold arena floor.

The Hardy Boyz were battered but not beaten. The words that decorated their original costumes-faith, hope, pride and honor-summed up their attitude. Despite several early defeats, the pair stayed focused and let their ring work speak for itself. Showing a desire to improve, the Hardyz spent valuable time at the Federation's training camp, honing their skills in preparation for the spotlight. The brothers didn't realize it at the time, but they were creating a new style. The dare-devil stunts they performed were turning heads, and opportunities opened for the innovative duo. Before long, Federation enthusiasts were comparing the young tandem to such legendary tag teams as the Rockers and the Fabulous Freebirds. Several insiders believed Matt and Jeff had the potential to become a legendary duo, just as their predecessors had done a generation before.

Former Freebird Michael "PS" Hayes became intrigued upon seeing the Hardyz' talent and enthusiasm, scouting the young team and convincing them that he could lead them to greatness. Under his tutelage, the Hardyz gained a harder edge, revealing a different side to their persona while scoring several major victories. Haues' guidance helped lead the Hardyz to their first Tag Team Championship on June 29, 1999, when they defeated the Acolytes before a raucous hometown crowd in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The Hardyz' perseverance and extreme risks had paid off, and their dream of having the WWF Tag Team titles was a reality. But like the best dreams, it was too good to last and quickly came to an end. At Fully Loaded 1999, the Hardyz and Hayes gave the Acolytes a rematch for the titles in a No-DQ, Handicap Tag Team Catch. Faarooq and Dradshaw regained the titles after powerbombing and pinning Hayes. Matt and Jeff-disgusted that Hayes cost them their titles-felt their careers were going in the wrong direction. Ask luck would have it, Edge & Christian had departed from the Brood, and Gangrel was looking for some apprentices to mentor. The Hardyz left Hayes and joined Gangrel t form the New Brood. Although encouraging them to take more risks and sacrifice their bodies for a greater cause, Gangrel failed to head the Hardyz back to the top of the tag-team ranks. Before long, the New Brood was history as Matt and Jeff left the Gothic Superstar behind.

In the meantime, word spread throughout the Federation that Terri was looking for a team to manage. Using her beauty and sex appeal, she manipulated the Hardyz and Edge & Christian into competing in a best-of-five tournament-The Terri Invitational Tournament-to attain her managerial services. After a grueling series of matches, the firth and final match was scheduled for No Mercy. A bag containing $100,000 was suspended 20 feet above the ring, and the first team to grab the bag would win. After a fierce battle, it was Jeff Hardy who scored the cash, and secured the victory and Terri's services.

But the brothers own something far greater: their incredible performance in the now-famous ladder match won the admiration of the fans. WWF.com voters made the encounter "Match of the Year" for 1999. And on Raw Is War the following night, Matt and Jeff received their first standing ovation from WWF fans. No longer unknown rookies or merely a sideshow, the Hardy Boyz were now on the TitanTron highlight reel and well on their way to elite status.

The Hardyz continued to raise the bar for tag-team excellence. Whether winning or losing, they managed to show off their incredible high-flying skills in every match in which they competed. But they still felt the need to surpass everything they had already accomplished. The Tag Team Table Match featured at Royal Rumble 2000 offered them more opportunities to invent awe-inspiring maneuvers. The highlight of the battle was Jeff Hardy executing a Swanton Bomb off the entranceway to Madison Square Garden through a table holding a battered D-Von Dudley. The Hardyz won the match, along with the hearts of millions of awestruck viewers. Within the first month of 2000, the Hardyz survived a bona fide classic and began to develop a plan that would top it.

Around this time, a mysteriously alluring young woman named Lita made her WWF debut as the sidekick of Latin sensation Essa Rios. She soon became active in Essas matches unveiling her incredible moonsaults and hurrcanranas. Soon, Lita was not merely a valet, but a top-flight competitor. Essa's heated rivalry with Eddie Guerrero led to a series of mixed tag matches featuring Essa and Lita against Eddie and his then-girl-friend, Chyna. Despite being much smaller and less experienced than Chyna, Lita was able to hold her own against the Ninth Wonder of the World, even managing at point to leave Chyna standing in the ring in only her bra and panties.

While Lita and Essa were turning heads, Terri turned her back on the Hardyz. During a No. 1 Contenders Match, she helped Edge & Christian, handing the Hardy Boyz a costly defeat and leaving them on their own again.

At WrestleMania XVI, the stage was set for Matt and Jeff to deliver in the greatest sports-entertainment extravaganza of all. A Triple-Threat Tag Team Ladder Match was signed with the Hardyz, Edge & Christian and the Dudley Boyz. This encounter would top all previous specialty matches; it featured many outrageous maneuvers and became a show-stealer. Although E&C came away with the victory, the WrestleMania tangle was only the beginning of many unforgettable contests featuring these three teams.

Shortly after WrestleMania, Essa Rios suffered a losing streak and began to take out his frustrations on his loyal valet. Essa's poor treatment of Lita did not go unnoticed, and the Hardyz were quick to defend their longtime friend.

Federation fans made the connection immediately, upon seeing how well the flame-haired beauty complemented the unique style of the Hardyz'. Individually, Matt, Jeff and Lita were fan favorites, but combining their talents into one exciting team significantly raised the group's intensity and popularity.

As the summer days grew otter, the newly formed threesome matched the heat, quickly gaining momentum. Lita's standout performances in the Women's Division soon made her a viable contender for the Women's Title.

On August 21, 2000, Lita accomplished her longtime goal, defeating "The Billion-Dollar Princess" Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley for her first championship.

The Hardyz moved a step closer to legendary status at SummerSlam in a fist-ever Tables, Ladders & Chairs match. The Tag Team titles were on the line as the three best teams in the WWF risked their careers and used every drop of strength and energy they possessed. Havoc reigned, as tables, ladders and chairs were used in ways never before imagined. The three teams seemingly invented new maneuvers as they went along, but Edge & Christian once again emerged victorious from the carnage.

After the devastating loss, the Hardyz' resolve only grew stronger. A month later at Unforgiven, the high-flying Hardyz battled Edge & Christian in a grueling Steel Cage Tag Team Championship match. Lita played a big part in the match by executing a Litacanrana on Christian from the top of a ladder. Matt and Jeff delivered a double chairshot on top of the cage, sending Edge crashing down to the canvas. Finally, when Matt and Jeff's feet touched the floor, giving them their second tag team title reign, all three-Matt, Jeff and Lita-were concurrently WWF titleholders.

After this win, then-Commissioner Mick Foley decided that E&C-who had already held the Tag Team titles numerous times-didn't deserve any more title shots and banned them from championship competition. Enraged by a ruling they felt unfair, Edge & Christian, disguised themselves in gold costumes, calling themselves Los Conquistadors. Before long, the impostors became No. 1 contenders and received a title shot against the Hardyz at No Mercy. After Los Conquistadors defeated Matt and Jeff for the titles, the hoax became evident. The Hardyz weren't about to be outsmarted; the following night on Raw Is War, they donned the Los Conquistadors outfits and won back their titles by pinning Edge in a handicap match.

The wild antics of the gat team division were not the only problems they faced. Dean Malenko began stalking Lita, demanding to be the object of her affection. An uninterested Lita made every attempt to stave off the aggressive "ladies' man," but to no avail. Malenko was so determined to win her over that he challenged her to a match; if she lost, she would have to go on a date with him. Lita fought her hear out against Malenko, but failed to defeat the savvy veteran. Staying true to her word, Lita accompanied Malenko to a restaurant. Upon returning to his hotell, Malenko got a big surprise when a seemingly flirtatious Lita turned off the room lights-only to have the Hardyz jump him. Matt and Jeff tried to beat some sense into Malenko, but he was unrelenting and continued to challenge her to on match after another. Upon seeing her attacked my Malenko, Mat revealed his true feelings for Lita, and the two embraced in the center of the ring. Emotions became stronger, and the love story between Matt and Lita turned out to be one of the hottest romances in WWF history.

In March 2001, the Hardyz again captured the WWF Tag Team titles. A renewed feud with the Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian led to "TLC 2" at WrestleMania X-Seven The pressure was on Matt and Jeff; their prior showdowns with these two teams were so intense that it would be nearly impossible to top them. Lita was a huge factor in this match, risking her well-being to assure q fair match for her two friends.

Jeff delivered one of the match's most stunning moments when he delivered a Swanton Bomb off a 15-foot ladder and through a table holding Rhyno and Spike Dudley. Spectators shrieked in unison, as it appeared that all three men were maimed. Somehow, Jeff returned to his feet and set up three ladders in the ring, which he then used to make his way to the belts dangly above. Hanging onto the belts, Jeff was greeted with a devastating spear by Edge. When the smoke cleared, Edge & Christian won TLC again, but only after interference from Rhyno.

In mid-April, Jeff Hardy pulled off his greatest individual feat to date, upsetting Triple H on SmackDown! to win the Intercontinental Championship. The monumental win proved that the Hardyz were not only one of the greatest tag teams in Federation history, but were capable of singles success as well. Jeff held the title for only a week, thanks to foul play by Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H.

In an effort to remain active in singles competition, Jeff began a mission to take control of the Light Heavyweight Division, and eventually scored a victory over Jerry Lynn for the title. And, not to be outshined by his brother, Matt competed alone to win the European title from Eddie Guerrero, proving that he, too, is capable of making a mark as a singles competitor. Lita recently turned her attention again towards the Women's Championship, establishing herself as the one to beat in that division.

While it is true that the Hardy Boyz have lost some important stipulation matches, they always return with a greater resolve and taste the gold, a mindset that attracts legions of fans to them. Their styles, athleticism and unbridled energy make them Superstars for the 21st century.

Regardless of the outcome, this threesome never failed to dazzle, mystify, shock and exhilarate. Win or lose, they always entertain. And win or lose, they are always extreme.