10 Best Matt Hardy Matches
6. Vs. Rey Mysterio (WWE SmackDown, June 5th 2003)
A rare case of the Cruiserweight Division being more than a less-than in WWE, Matt Hardy's climactic title loss to Rey Mysterio in front of the Challenger's hometown fans was as big as the belt ever felt under the ownership of Vince McMahon. Closing SmackDown with the emotional scenes surrounding Rey's success, the duo achieved something that wouldn't ever happen again on WWE's main roster - the title fought for by the smallest guys had at long last commanded the biggest spotlight.
This particular pairing had been sentimental favourites for much of the year since their WrestleMania XIX opener was needlessly abbreviated to a spotfest lasting less than six minutes, but Hardy working at his cynical 'V1' worst in order to cling on to a title he blatantly no longer deserved represented the peak of his heel powers in the role.
Matt hard turned the title from trinket to trophy since making something delightful out of a perceived demotion. His blind buffoonery as a megalomaniacal heel had slotted perfectly into the main event storyline between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker just a few months earlier, but he'd some how generated enough heat to make the fate of the Cruiserweight Championship main event material.