25: “Woken” Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt — The Ultimate Deletion (Raw, March 19)
If you are looking for the sweet science, this preposterous capper to Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt’s “Great War” does … not have that. But it does have Matt’s wife playing a piano in the woods, a drone who’s a person, a baby who’s a king, a MOWAH OF LAAAWWWNN, a caretaker who’s also a gravedigger and a lake that reincarnates people. Turns out, at the end of the day, that’s just as wonderful. — ANTHONY BENIGNO
Credit: WWE.com
After Jeff Hardy dropped Samoa Joe with a wicked Twist of Fate last week in response to The Samoan Submission Machine’s week of hyperbole and mockery of his struggles with personal demons, the two faced off on the blue brand on Christmas night.
The Charismatic Enigma came at The Samoan Submission Machine with a furious intensity, but Joe’s size and strength advantage would soon factor into play, as he began to wear down Hardy with a smothering ground-and-pound attack. Jeff struck back with his signature dynamic offense, but he lost control of himself once he downed Joe outside the ring, and he repeatedly kneed his opponent into the face, disregarding the referee’s warnings and getting disqualified because of it. Jeff’s assault continued even after the bell when he sent Joe soaring over the announcer’s table. However, as Hardy began to plot his next devious move, Joe caught him in a singular lapse of concentration and locked the Coquina Clutch onto his rival until Jeff completely passed out.
Joe was content to leave Hardy laying for now, but it was clear that neither Superstar was content to let this situation rest for good.
Credit: WWE.com
Gallery Links:
WWE Photos > Weekly & Pay-Per-View Digitals > 2018 > Smackdown > December 25th
Screen Captures > WWE Programs > Smackdown > 2018 > December 25th
Jeff Hardy had caught wind that Samoa Joe wanted to “apologize” to him after The Samoan Submission Machine repeatedly mocked The Charismatic Enigma for his troubled past over the last few weeks. Hardy demanded Joe come to the ring to issue his “apology” face-to-face. Samoa Joe hit the scene and spoke openly to Hardy, but not with an apology — with an attempted intervention! Joe mockingly expressed concern for Jeff until the former WWE Champion lashed back at Joe, wondering aloud if Joe is insecure because he hasn’t won a single championship in two years. A seething Joe instantly looked to strike after Jeff’s disrespect, but Hardy was ready for him, and he dropped Joe with a Twist of Fate that downed The Samoan Submission Machine and kept him silent … at least for now.
Credit: WWE.com
Gallery Links:
WWE Photos > Weekly & Pay-Per-View Digitals > 2018 > Smackdown > December 11th
Screen Captures > WWE Programs > Smackdown > 2018 > December 11th
