On a recent edition of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T was asked which wrestler surprised him the most in the ring. He said,
“Matt Hardy [surprised me] because I was like, ‘Man, there’s no way this guy could work.’ Because Matt used to run so funny, and I was like, ‘Why does this guy think he’s so over?’ We had to work at a house show and we weren’t three minutes into that match and everybody in the arena was going crazy and then I go, ‘Oh, this is why this guy is so good. Now I realize why he’s so good.”
He continued, “He knew how to work the people, he knew how to get that crowd going, he has so much fire and it was … I was like, ‘Okay, now I know. I get it.’ I was like, ‘I would want to work with this guy every week.’”
Booker T and Matt’s sole WWE pay-per-view singles match would be as part of the UK-exclusive Rebellion 2002 show which saw Booker T get the win.
The pair faced off four times in WWE (according to Cage Match) including in the WrestleMania 23 Money in the Bank ladder match won by Mr. Kennedy.
In the world of professional wrestling, there are certain performers who have the ability to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. One such wrestler is Matt Hardy, who surprised fellow wrestler Booker T with his in-ring skills.
During a recent episode of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T was asked which wrestler surprised him the most in the ring. To everyone’s surprise, he mentioned Matt Hardy. Booker T initially had doubts about Hardy’s abilities, as he found his running style peculiar and couldn’t understand why he was so popular among fans.
However, Booker T’s perception of Hardy changed when they had to work together at a house show. Within just three minutes of their match, the entire arena erupted in excitement. It was at that moment that Booker T realized why Hardy was so highly regarded. He acknowledged that Hardy knew how to work the crowd and generate a tremendous amount of energy. Booker T admitted that he would love to work with Hardy on a regular basis.
Although their WWE pay-per-view singles match at Rebellion 2002 ended in Booker T’s victory, it was clear that the chemistry between the two wrestlers was undeniable. They faced off four times in total, including a memorable encounter in the WrestleMania 23 Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Mr. Kennedy.
Booker T’s revelation about Matt Hardy highlights the importance of understanding and connecting with the audience in professional wrestling. It is not just about executing impressive moves or having a unique running style; it is about creating an emotional connection with the fans and eliciting a passionate response from them.
Hardy’s ability to work the crowd and generate excitement is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft. He has proven time and again that he can adapt to different styles and deliver memorable performances. His success in the wrestling industry can be attributed to his understanding of what it takes to entertain and engage the audience.
This revelation from Booker T serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Just because someone may have an unconventional running style or a different approach to their character, it does not mean they lack the ability to excel in the ring. Matt Hardy’s surprising performance in the eyes of Booker T is a testament to the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling and the potential for wrestlers to exceed expectations.
In conclusion, Matt Hardy’s in-ring skills surprised fellow wrestler Booker T, who initially had doubts about his abilities. However, after witnessing Hardy’s ability to work the crowd and generate excitement, Booker T realized why he was so highly regarded. This revelation serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that professional wrestling is full of surprises. Matt Hardy’s success is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft, proving that he can exceed expectations and leave a lasting impression on both fans and fellow wrestlers.