10 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Raw From 2006
7. A 20 November Ladder Match Is Essential
WWE fans were real happy to see Jeff Hardy return from TNA when he bounded back onto TV in August. Immediately, Jeff was thrust into the Intercontinental Title mix against newbie star Johnny Nitro, and they had numerous matches on house shows and in front of the cameras before a memorable ladder match on the 20 November '06 Raw.
This ranked right up there with the pair's finest work. It was actually one of the best matches of the entire year on Raw, SmackDown or pay-per-view. That's high praise indeed. Most impressively, Hardy looked motivated to show he could be a team player the promotion could rely on for bigger and better things.
His performances in '06 would stand him in good stead for a future main event push over on SmackDown. 2006 on Raw was akin to Jeff's version of Eddie Guerrero's 2002 reprise in the IC Title hunt opposite Rob Van Dam. It built trust with management, and that was always going to be important. In that sense, Jeff and Eddie shared something in common.
Live on the go home episode of Raw before Survivor Series, Hardy and Nitro left it all hanging out. Jeff's leg drop bump over the top of a ladder was as special as always, and peeps in attendance audibly revelled in the fact they were getting to see Hardy do his daredevil act on WWE screens once more.
It happened late in the year and fell on an episode right before the next big PPV, but Hardy vs. Nitro was a fine ladder war that more fans should check out.