Every WWE Gimmick Match And The Wrestlers That Defined Them

2. TLC Match - Jeff Hardy

The Undertaker HIAC
WWE.com

The TLC match has graduated from brutal midcard proving ground to an insane spectacle befitting the main event, and Jeff Hardy didn't so much star in its long-term story arc as he penned it.

In the Attitude Era, Hardy's psychotic, sympathetic bumping defined the TLC match. His performances reflected the agonising rise to recognition necessary to make an impression beyond an electric, superstar-powered main event picture. To even survive it was framed as an achievement of pure endeavour, which is fitting. Jeff, synonymous with the stip, has not to date won a single match.

In 2009, Hardy relied less on reckless stunts and more on nuanced, graduating drama in a classy, selfless performance opposite CM Punk at SummerSlam (while also enduring a demented bump through an announce table, naturally).

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!