10 Best Jeff Hardy Matches Ever
4. Vs. Rob Van Dam - Invasion 2001
Jeff Hardy's rivalry with Rob Van Dam in 2001 was far and away the best part of the hugely botched Invasion storyline. Heck, it may very well have been the only bright spot in what should have been a landmark story in professional wrestling but became a miserable memory for anyone who lived through the Monday Night Wars.
RVD and Jeff were almost kindred spirits, risk-taking maniacs who were willing to put their bodies through hell in the name of entertainment and immortality through picture. They faced off a number of times, but it is their bout at the largely-shambolic Invasion PPV that sticks out the most.
This match was for Jeff's Hardcore Championship, and it was clear from the start that the crowd was divided but loving it. RVD was an Alliance guy but impossible to boo, which made for a rather puzzling dynamic. This was one of the first matches I remember seeing that the audience appreciated in that they cheered both men continuously throughout.
Of course they fly around like maniacs, of course they play to the crowd and of course they put on one hell of a show. They even toned down the weapons, using only a ladder and a chair, but the action was so good that the crowd didn't care. Making an Attitude Era crowd care about a Hardcore title match without resorting to plunder is impressive, to say the least.
RVD picked up the win but the two would later face off in a ladder rematch at SummerSlam. For me, this is the best match they had.