50 Ruthless Aggression Era Superstars Ranked From Worst To Best

15. Jeff Hardy

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Pros:

1. Ridiculously popular

2. Had an unorthodox look and wrestling style that differentiated him from others

3. ‘High-risk’ nature and moments amplified his already soaring popularity

Cons:

1. Has dealt with numerous drug problems

2. His actual world title reigns were both short

3. Had a stint in TNA between WWE runs

It’s actually quite difficult to determine the specific thing about Jeff Hardy that made him so popular in WWE. Maybe it was his look. Maybe it was his unorthodox wrestling style. Maybe it was his eclectic personality and set of interests. Or maybe it was some kind of natural charisma that allowed him to connect with the fans in a way that few people expected him to.

Whatever the case may be, Jeff was easily the more popular of the two brothers and the more accomplished.

Despite a spell in TNA following a release from WWE brought on by substance abuse problems (a theme that, unfortunately, would keep coming back later on), Hardy was immensely loved by the audience. His 2002 WWE Championship match against the Undertaker stands as a prime example of this mentality in action: Hardy was such an unexpected winner that when he actually got close, fans roared in approval.

Though Hardy was neither ruthless nor particularly aggressive, he was a beloved risk-taker who developed a loyal following once he split from his brother Matt. Pity he couldn’t keep his personal problems in check; if he could, he might’ve enjoyed even more success.

Final Rating: ****1/4

Contributor

Alexander Podgorski is a writer for WhatCulture that has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was 8 years old. He loves all kinds of wrestling, from WWE and sports entertainment, to puroresu in Japan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen's University in Political Studies and French, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He speaks English, French, Polish, a bit of German, and knows some odd words and phrases in half a dozen other languages.