10 Wrestlers Who Hated Parodies Of Their Work
6. Jeff Hardy
As an A-Z story - a mystery that evolved into high-stakes ultra-violence between two compelling characters practically born to clash - the 2009 CM Punk Vs. Jeff Hardy programme is one of the best things WWE ever did.
Indignant, sanctimonious straight edge heel apoplectic at the love shown towards the addict he perceived as an immoral career f*ck-up: the conflict was in effect the most believable grudge programme in wrestling history, and it was elevated by Hardy's in-ring peak and Punk's newfound confidence. He was playing the role he was born to play, and WWE had finally allowed him to talk in his own voice. The man was intent on proving to WWE that he should never have been handed a script and was on sensational form on the mic.
Together, they worked the best singles TLC match in history - watch it again, it was shockingly violent and committed by the standards of a PG plunder match - and the feud ended when Punk beat Hardy out of town in a Cage match.
It didn't quite end there; Punk dressed up as Hardy the following week to rub it in one more time and referred to him - without receiving permission this time - as the "charismatic enabler".
Hardy resented this and indeed the feud itself; in an infamous diner scene, an addled Hardy berated Punk months later for being a preachy "nerd" who he "made into a star".