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GUEST EDITORIAL
By Bryan Cullers of Chicago, Ill., PWTorch.com reader
As WrestleMania comes near, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement because the big dance is only a few days away. Granted, WWE does not put on 52 weeks of stellar programming a year, but for the most part WrestleMania has always been the time and the place where some stars of Raw, Smackdown, and ECW seem to try their hardest. When looking at this year's card it is plain to see that some of the intrigue that had been a key element of the success in past WrestleMania's is somewhat lacking. While there are some matches and angles that I would change heading into Sunday's show, one thing I would not change is the absence of a one Jeff Hardy.
Like many fans around the country, I have watched in awe at Hardy's almost meteoric rise to the top WWE over the last several months. In fact, since his return in August of 2006, one would hard pressed to find a WWE Superstar that has connected more with fans on a positive level than Hardy. Having said that, Jeff Hardy has proven in both past and today that is the one thing that WWE cannot afford a world champion to be - and that it is unreliable.
While reading Radican's Take here on the Torch website yesterday, he mentioned how it is hard to get excited about this year's match without Jeff Hardy being in it. While I agree with him to some extent, I actually feel that whoever wins this MITB briefcase will actually be a better choice than Jeff Hardy. For one thing, Jeff Hardy has proven that he has had a history of serious problems as it relates to substance abuse. In the wake of the Benoit tragedy and with so many wrestlers dying at such a relatively young age, one must question if putting the title on a guy who seemingly is on the brink of destruciton is a very wise move. With wrestling and WWE in particular being under the microscope like never before, having Hardy win the Money in the Bank ladder match and subsequently a world title would be extremely risky from a buisness point of view.
Another aspect of Hardy's participation and what was in all likelihood his victory in the Money in the Bank match questionable is that Jeff Hardy, as exciting as he is in the ring, is only a decent at best wrestler. Granted, he has had some good matches against opponents like Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, but for the most part Jeff Hardy has been unreliable to deliever a four star match in any situation that does not involve tables, ladders, or chairs. This aspect, comibed with his personal problems, make the World Title run that many feel he deserves somewhat questionable. Personally, I feel that men like MVP, C.M. Punk, and Chris Jericho are better in-ring workers and would therefore by much better selections to win the briefcase this year.
Finally, I can't say that I will miss Jeff Hardy at this year's WrestleMania because I am simply burned out on seeing him in ladder matches. I can think back to the Raw 15th anniversary when he defend his IC Title in a no storyline, no build up match against Carlito for no other reason other than to have a ladder match on the show.
Since the start of his WWE career Jeff Hardy has been involved in so many ladder matches that it is hard to get excited at the thought of him performing another one of his daredevil stunts. I would much rather see someone who has limited experience in ladder match situations like a John Morrison, who has been in ladder matches before, but has not been in them so much that you can predict that he will do something crazy everytime he participates in one? I mean, is something really crazy and unpredictable if you know that it is going to happen?
Aside from that, this year's Money in the Bank ladder match features alot of talented individuals not named Hardy. Guys such as Shelton Benjamin, the aforementioned John Morrison, and Chris Jericho are all tremendous athletes who will no doubt want to steal the show. In addition to those competitors, last year's winner Mr.Kennedy and MVP are also performers who will add to the quality match and entertainment value to the match.
So if you are watching WrestleMania with friends as I am this year and one them starts to complain about the fact that Jeff Hardy isn't appearing on the show, just remind them that it was Jeff Hardy's decision not to there and in the end it is only fair that he pay for his error in judgement. Yeah, Jeff Hardy won't be in this year's Money in the Bank ladder match , and you know what? I for one will not miss him.
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