Matt Hardy Reveals Abandoned WWE WrestleMania 19 Feud
AEW's Matt Hardy was supposed to work a major WrestleMania program, but WWE cancelled it.
Matt Hardy has revealed via his podcast that he was originally supposed to work with Edge back at WrestleMania XIX in 2003.
WWE had Matt pencilled in for an Intercontinental Title program vs. the emerging babyface on the biggest card of the year. Then, Edge's serious neck injury (which sidelined him for approx one full year) nixed those plans and the company changed tact.
Hardy's claim about the IC Title suggests that Edge would've won it pre-'Mania. The curious thing here is that WWE had unified the strap with Triple H's World Title in October 2002. Were they thinking about reviving it before eventually doing so anyway in May 2003?
Looks like it.
Regardless of the belt's involvement, Edge was never making WrestleMania due to injuries. So, pivoting, WWE placed Matt in the Cruiserweight scene and had him work with Rey Mysterio instead. Hardy ended up enjoying that run so much that Vince McMahon decided to extend it.
Rey was also going to win the Cruiser Title at 'Mania, but McMahon felt he could squeeze more from their rivalry. In short, Hardy's springtime plans changed more than once.