On a recent edition of his “Something To Wrestle With” podcast, WWE executive Bruce Prichard discussed Jeff Hardy challenging Randy Orton for the WWE Championship at the 2008 Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.
You can check out the highlights from the podcast below:
On WWE’s approach to Jeff Hardy: “You have to take a wait-and-see approach otherwise that’s bad business. You have a situation here where you have a great talent, unbelievable talent who can do any and everything with a great attitude and a huge upside, but they’ve got demons.”
On WWE officials waiting to see if Hardy was ready for the top spot: “The belief amongst everyone was one of, Jeff has everything. Jeff had the world in the palm of his hand and every time the demons kind of come and grab him. He’s just such a wonderful, warm, nice guy and you want to help him. But, at some point, you have to help yourself, and that’s what they were waiting for.”
On why Hardy didn’t win the WWE Title at Royal Rumble 2008: “It would have been great to be able to have been able to crown a new champion there, but cooler heads prevailed, and I think it was the right call.”
Hardy failed to dethrone Orton at the event. The Charismatic Enigma would win his first WWE Championship later in the year at WWE Armageddon 2008 in December.
In 2008, WWE fans were buzzing with excitement as Jeff Hardy challenged Randy Orton for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. This highly anticipated match had fans on the edge of their seats, wondering if Hardy would finally capture the prestigious title. However, as revealed by WWE executive Bruce Prichard on his podcast “Something To Wrestle With,” there were several factors that influenced the decision-making process behind this match.
One of the key considerations for WWE officials was Jeff Hardy’s personal struggles with addiction. Prichard explained that while Hardy possessed incredible talent and a positive attitude, he also had “demons” that occasionally hindered his progress. This created a dilemma for the company, as they had to balance their desire to support Hardy with the need for reliability and consistency in their top champions.
Despite recognizing Hardy’s immense potential, WWE officials decided to take a cautious approach. They wanted to ensure that Hardy was truly ready for the top spot before giving him a chance to become WWE Champion. Prichard stated that everyone believed in Hardy’s abilities, but they were waiting for him to take responsibility for his own well-being and overcome his personal struggles.
Ultimately, this cautious approach led to the decision not to crown Hardy as the WWE Champion at the Royal Rumble in 2008. Prichard acknowledged that it would have been a great moment to see a new champion being crowned, but cooler heads prevailed. The company made the difficult but necessary choice to prioritize Hardy’s personal growth and long-term success over an immediate title win.
Although Hardy did not win the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, his journey was far from over. Later in the year, at WWE Armageddon 2008 in December, Hardy would finally achieve his dream and capture his first WWE Championship. This victory marked a significant milestone in his career and demonstrated his resilience and determination to overcome his personal struggles.
The story of Jeff Hardy’s challenge for the WWE Championship at the 2008 Royal Rumble serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in professional wrestling. It highlights the delicate balance between supporting talent and ensuring their personal well-being, as well as the importance of making difficult decisions for the long-term benefit of both the individual and the company. Hardy’s eventual triumph showcases the power of perseverance and serves as an inspiration to fans and aspiring wrestlers alike.