The veteran Hardy Boyz are known as one of the most extreme tag teams in the history of sports-entertainment, but when it comes to brutality, “The Bar” was raised at WWE Extreme Rules, where Cesaro & Sheamus escaped a steel cage with the Raw Tag Team Titles in their grasp.

Seeking to end the “nostalgia” surrounding Matt & Jeff’s triumphant return to WWE at WrestleMania 33, The Alabaster Gladiator and The Swiss Superman took the brothers to their limit at WWE Payback, going so far as to knock one of Jeff’s teeth out of his head (Sheamus was more than happy to take credit for that accidental dentistry). When The Hardys defended the Raw Tag Team Titles that night, the disappointed brawlers snapped, brutalizing the brothers after the bell.

Cesaro & Sheamus would later earn the No. 1 contendership in a Tag Team Turmoil Match last month, but when Matt defeated The Celtic Warrior two weeks later, he earned the right to name the stipulation for the title defense at WWE Extreme Rules. Matt chose a Steel Cage Match, in which the only way to win would be for both partners to escape the unforgiving steel.

Having competed in two of the three prior Tag Team Steel Cage Matches in WWE pay-per-view history, The Hardys went into this contest with a clear advantage. Unfortunately, brute force and the numbers game trumped experience in this case.

After Jeff escaped over the top of the cage, Matt was in a 2-on-1 situation against the barbaric challengers, who nearly drove the disadvantaged champion through the ring with a modified double Razor’s Edge, followed up shortly by a top-rope White Noise.

To help even the odds for his brother, Jeff climbed to the top of the cage and hurled himself onto Cesaro & Sheamus with an awe-inspiring Whisper in the Wind. The high-risk move briefly incapacitated Jeff and officially brought him back into the fray, and as Matt dragged his prone brother through the cage door, Cesaro & Sheamus climbed over the top of the steel structure and narrowly won the race against time.

Now that the title reign launched at WrestleMania has come to a disappointing end, will Matt & Jeff recapture Team Red’s tandem prizes, or will Cesaro & Sheamus continue to raise “The Bar” in Raw’s chaotic Tag Team division?

Credit: WWE.com

Raw Tag Team Champions Jeff & Matt Hardy electrified the capacity crowd at WWE Payback by overcoming the tough-as-nails combination of Sheamus & Cesaro. However, a brutal post-match assault by The Celtic Warrior and The Swiss Superman left the victorious titleholders completely obliterated.

Despite showing tremendous respect to The Hardy Boyz in recent weeks, the hard-hitting combination of Cesaro & Sheamus came to the WWE Payback pay-per-view determined to prove that “nostalgia act” was not enough for the seven-time tag team titleholders to maintain their place at the top of the mountain.

In the explosive matchup that followed, the No. 1 contenders would come at their high-flying opponents with everything they had, including The Swiss Superman’s Corkscrew Forearm/Cesaro Swing/Sharpshooter combination and an earth-shattering White Noise off the top rope by The Celtic Warrior.

Late in the match, however, Sheamus failed to see that Matt tagged in Jeff, setting up the younger Hardy to hit the Irish Superstar with a Swanton Bomb as he was trying to pin Matt, and Jeff subsequently secured the three-count.

After the match, Sheamus & Cesaro again showed respect to the Raw Tag Team Champions by shaking their hands in the center of the ring. However, that display of honor was completely erased moments later, when the defeated Superstars suddenly attacked The Hardys and laid waste to the victorious titleholders.

In the wake of Cesaro & Sheamus’ ruthless attack, how will The Hardy Boyz respond? Don’t miss a moment of Raw, airing Monday night at 8/7 C on USA Network

Credit: WWE.com

The Hardy Boyz are back and they wasted no time showing why they are one of WWE’s most legendary duos as they climbed a ladder and grabbed the titles to become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.

WrestleMania 33 was said to be The Ultimate Thrill Ride and Matt & Jeff Hardy’s momentous return delivered as much. Seconds before the bell rang to begin the Raw Tag Team Title Ladder Match, WrestleMania hosts The New Day arrived to announce a surprise fourth team. The crowd’s reaction to The Hardys was so loud it likely shattered windows across Orlando.

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, Cesaro & Sheamus and Enzo Amore & Big Cass were thrown a serious curveball as they were tasked with competing against a pair of Superstars who helped elevate Tag Team Ladder Matches to new heights.

Matt and Jeff looked right at home, clearing the ring at the start of the match to the delight of the WWE fans.

Despite the brothers starting the contest with a wave of momentum, the other three teams would not go away quietly. Each duo took turns gaining the upper hand as the match ascended into absolute chaos. Enzo & Cass nearly grabbed the titles at one point when the 7-footer hoisted Enzo up on his shoulders. Their attempt to claim the championship was cut short, however, and the carnage continued.

Matt and Jeff’s experience in Ladder Matches proved valuable, as they took out their competition in the most extreme ways possible. First, Matt hit a Twist of Fate off the top of a ladder on Anderson. Then, outside the squared circle, Jeff nailed a jaw-dropping Swanton onto two ladders holding up The Swiss Superman and Celtic Warrior. Back between the ropes, Matt climbed the ladder and grabbed the Raw Tag Team Titles.

Ladies and gentleman, The Hardy Boyz are back in WWE and they are your new Raw Tag Team Champions.

Credit: WWE.com