10 WWE Matches That Changed Your Mind About Wrestlers You Hated
1. THE UNDERTAKER Vs. Jeff Hardy - RAW, July 1, 2002
'American Badass' Undertaker endures cult classic status among some; to others, this run was even worse than the 1993-5 Monster Of The Week arc because they knew he was capable of far more. Having wrestled a diverse smattering of classics opposite Bret Hart, Mankind and Shawn Michaels throughout the New Generation era, 'Old School' 'Taker was a more selfish, basic beast - an almost defensive veteran who thought nothing of belittling opponents he did not deem ready for the big boy's table. He lifted Kurt Angle's shoulders off the mat at Fully Loaded 2000 - after an elbow drop - in a show of dominance usually reserved for the lowliest of jobbers.
He belittled Jeff Hardy here - but that was the match's excellent narrative crux. 'Taker dominated Hardy throughout, after a spirited opening shine pitched just well enough to inspire hope, as opposed to incongruity. This was 'Taker as his sadistic gatekeeper best. Everything he dished out looked harrowing; a tone indirectly emphasised by the real-life condition in which Hardy entered the match. He looked unhealthy, bedraggled, weak - which added more cringe to every last chair shot and thudding power move.
Exactly the sort of match at which the impassioned Jim Ross excelled, it was presented and filmed as brilliantly as it was worked.