10 WWE Champions That Didn’t Fit Vince McMahon’s Mold
6. Jeff Hardy
When
it comes to unlikely WWE Champions, Jeff Hardy tops the list. The
Rainbow-Haired Warrior not only lacks promo skills and a chiseled physique, but
he’s also synonymous with his brother Matt as a highly successful tag team.
Plus, he has a history of drug abuse, willing to be released in 2003 rather
than go to rehab.
Yet,
Hardy’s popularity can’t be denied, and he returned to WWE three years later,
seemingly in good, healthy spirits. During his second run, he reached main
event status, even defeating Triple H at Armageddon 2007. But his personal
demons still lingered. Hardy violated the Wellness Policy twice. With a third
strike and subsequent dismissal looming, Hardy shocked the wrestling world by
winning the title at Armageddon 2008.
Hardy’s
merchandise numbers were so high that McMahon would have been a fool not to capitalize
on whatever mileage the daredevil had left before a third strike or burnout.