10 Times WWE Wrestlers Got Burnt To A Crisp
3. Jeff Hardy (SmackDown - 17 January 2009)
WWE Champion Jeff Hardy was set to appear on The Cutting Edge during the 17 January 2009 edition of SmackDown to chat with Edge prior to their match at the Royal Rumble event. As if the 'Charismatic Enigma' stepping in the ring with his upcoming opponent wasn't risky enough, in the background, a rivalry with his brother Matt loomed.
Hardy found himself suffering "severe burns" moments after he stepped on stage and danced along to his theme song. A superfluous amount of fireworks went off, turning the entrance area into a canopy of sparks. Unlike usual, the pyrotechnics continued to cross the stage, closing in on the unaware champ.
As the charges reached both of his sides, even more fireworks went off, dropping Hardy to the floor as he writhed in pain.
WWE didn't always deliver on explosions, but in this case, the incident was executed decently and left some fans to wonder whether it a botch or kayfabe. Of course, it was later revealed Matt tampered with his brother's entrance as their feud intensified. Hats off to Jeff for selling his heart out to get the spot over.