WWE decided in late 2001/early 2002 that it was about time the Hardys took a little break from TV. Their characters were a little stale, Jeff was clearly burned out and hurting and their split and feud with each other had been a resounding dud. They were written out of the storylines when The Undertaker sent them all crashing off the arena stage through a stack of tables. The Hardys returned at the Royal Rumble and went after Undertaker. Although they were eliminated by Big Evil, they were instrumental in his elimination at the hands of Maven, providing the distraction that allowed the rookie to dropkick him over the top rope to the floor. In June, Jeff would try and prove how extreme he was by attacking Undertaker (and dropkicking him right into a puddle of Tommy Dreamer vomit). After Jeff and brother Matt assaulted 'Taker with a ladder, it was decided that the two men would clash in a ladder match on the July 1st Raw. There was some good promo work by 'Taker in the run-up to this - 'You say that you live for the moment, but let me ask you something: are you willing to die in that same moment?'. And die Jeff nearly did, taking a vicious beating from Undertaker during the match but showing enough heart and guts that, by the end, he had earned The Dead Man's respect. Undertaker really tried his best to bring Jeff up a level while simultaneously proving that he could hang in the Hardys' environment. Shame that it ultimately went nowhere, mind.
