RAPPIN’ WITH THE HARDYZ
By Robert J. Bledsoe

Girls dream about them. Guys admire them. Whether it’s as heartthrobs or as heroes, Matt and Jeff Hardy have firmly established themselves as one of the most popular tag teams in the history of the Federation. Plus, they can really wrestle.

World Wrestling Federation Magazine recently caught up with the two high-flyers from Cameron, North Carolina, to ask them a few questions about themselves. Some of their answers show their similarities. Others, however, may leave readers wondering just what the future holds for Matt and Jeff competing as a tag team.

WWF Magazine: Who’s your biggest influence in sports-entertainment, past or present?
Jeff Hardy: Shawn Michaels
Matt Hardy: Shawn paved the way. He did the first Ladder Match in the Federation. He had that great Iron Man Match. He set the bar for a lot of the things my brother and I modeled our styles after.

WWF: If you had one wish, what would it be?
Jeff: Eternal life at age 22.
Matt: Continued excellent health

WWF: Who’ve been your toughest opponents?
Jeff: The Acolytes. They beat the hell out of us.
Matt: Edge and Christian. Every time we’ve built up steam in the Federation, they’ve tried to stomp out our fire. We’ve always feuded with them. They’ve been our nemeses from the get-go. There was the Ladder Match between us two. Then, they were involved in the three-way Ladder Match at WrestleMania.They just can’t let us shine without trying to steal some of our spotlight.

WWF: What’s been your favorite match?
Jeff & Matt: The Ladder match from 1999’s No Mercy.
Jeff: It was so close to perfect.

WWF: What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far in the Federation?
Jeff & Matt: Winning the WWF Tag Team title in June of last year.
Jeff: We were looked at as the best tag team in the world.

WWF: Who are your most hated opponents?
Jeff: Edge and Christian. Friends. Foes. Friends again. Enemies again. We just don’t get along.
Matt: The Dudley Boyz. When you’re in the ring with them, you’re in for the fight of your life. They’re real dangerous and unpredictable. We’ve had a lot of classic matches with those guys. If you’re not on the top of your game and at your toughest, they’ll get you.

WWF: What’s an ideal meal for you?
Jeff: Kelly’s Truck Stop cheeseburger and fries.
Matt: Grilled chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, a salad with ranch dressing and an appetizer of grilled shrimp.

WWF: Who’s your favorite actor?
Jeff: Christian Slater
Matt: Heathers and Pump Up the Volume are two of my favorite movies. Slater’s characters are very appealing to me. I think he’s real cool and I like his attitude. There’s just something about his personality that I’m drawn to. I have a favorite actress too–Gina Gershon.

WWF: What’s your favorite type of music?
Jeff & Matt: Alternative rock

WWF: What’s your favorite movie?
Jeff: American Beauty
Matt: I have three. Heathers, Powder and The Crow.

WWF: What’s your favorite car?
Jeff: My new, black 2000 Corvette.
Matt: A Lamborghini

WWF: Vanilla or chocolate?
Jeff & Matt: Chocolate

WWF: VCR or DVD?
Jeff & Matt: DVD

WWF: Favorite fast food?
Jeff: Big Mac
Matt: Arby’s Beef & Cheddar

WWF: Favorite TV show?
Jeff: Crocodile Hunter
Matt: That’s a tough one. I don’t watch a whole lot of TV.

WWF: Favorite talk show host?
Jeff: Jerry Springer
Matt: David Letterman

WWF: Who gets the most dates between you and your brother?
Jeff: He does. I’m taken.

WWF: Blonde, brunette, or redhead?
Jeff: I like mixtures
Matt: Blonde

WWF: Which finishing move is the most devastating: Swanton Bomb or Twist of Fate?
Jeff: Swanton Bomb
Matt: Twist of Fate

WWF: Singles or tag team?
Jeff & Matt: Tag team

WWF: How do you feel about wrestling each other?
Jeff: It was rough, but I enjoyed it.
Matt: I think we’re cool with it. We know if we go out, we can have a good, competitive and exciting match. At the end, we can still shake each other’s hand and be cool. Everyone can expect it to be an exciting and entertaining match.

WWF: Have you ever wrestled a singles match and turned to look for your brother, not realizing he wasn’t there?
Jeff & Matt: Yes

WWF: Which of you will become Federation Champion first?
Jeff: My brother. He’s in control; I’m not.
Matt: I will. Jeff will probably retire before he wins the Championship.

WWF: Matt, how did you feel when you found out that you were going to go up against each other for the first time in the Federation?
Matt: I was excited. It was a challenge. I know that as a force we can beat any tag team. I know we’re that good. But sometimes, just like when we were kids, it’s nice to squash any thoughts that Jeff may have of beating me.

WWF: Jeff, do you think your brother will ever turn on you?
Jeff: Yes…or I’ll turn on him.