Search - WWE: Jeff Hardy - My Life, My Rules on DVD

Just A Wrestler Who Was Living For The Moment

Scotty 2 Hotty 24 | Back Woods, GEORGIA | 12/07/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Jeff Hardy is undoubtfully one of the most unique and interesting competitors to ever wrestle in the WWE, among other organizations as well. Now that he is away dealing with his personal life choices and problems, WWE decided to release a DVD set on this very charasmatic individual. If you're looking for a 2 hour documentary on this DVD as they have for Bret Hart, Ric Flair, or Shawn Michaels, well...do not look here as the documentary is around 10 minutes shy of an hour. Unlike the DVD "Twist Of Fate", nothing is discussed on Hardy prior to his return to WWE in 2006. From there, Hardy discusses various topics since his return to WWE in '06 such as his early rivarly with Johnny Nitro and wrestling Triple H, teaming up and feuding with his brother Matt, his "two strikes" with WWE since his return with the tragedy of his house being burned down, Jeff's number of title shots and eventually winning his first WWE Championship. Throughout the documentary however, it keeps going back and highlighting certain spots of his "last" match in the WWE against CM Punk. His brother Matt, Triple H, John Morrison, Shannon Moore, Gregory Helms, Jim Ross and among others join Jeff in discussing Jeff's career. Though I think WWE did a good job profiling Jeff's WWE career from '06 to now, the documentary surely could have been improved and more.

SUPERSTARS (JUNE 25, 1994)
VS. 1-2-3 KID - Essentially, this was just a dark match on Superstars for Jeff as he went against the Kid (a.k.a. Syxx, a.k.a. X-Pac). Nothing going on here but Jeff is able to score with his Whisper In The Wind if you're a fan of that move but if you want to see a really good Hardy and X-Pac match, I recommend their King Of The Ring '01 clash over the Light Heavyweight Championship. 1/5

WRESTLEMANIA (APRIL 2, 2000)
TRIANGLE LADDER WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: THE HARDY BOYZ VS. THE DUDLEY BOYZ VS. EDGE & CHRISTIAN - This is the match that not only stole the show at WrestleMania but it showed that Jeff was without of a doubt, FEARLESS! To me, every ladder match involving the Hardys, Dudleys, and E&C was unique in their own, idividual way. Like their later TLC Matches, this match is just breath taking. 5/5 [Alternate commentary with Jeff and Matt]

UNFORGIVEN '00 (SEPTEMBER 24, 2000)
STEEL CAGE WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: THE HARDY BOYZ VS. EDGE & CHRISTIAN - Jeff is eliminated early in the match as he is the first man to escape the cage but that doesn't stop his involvement in the match. I felt this match morely showed the toughness and reselency of Matt's as he held his own against the tag champs for a good 10 minutes with Jeff not able to help. Jeff soon brings out a ladder where he scores with a Whisper In The Wind from the top of the cage with also Lita getting involved and scoring with a hurricanrana on Christian from the ladder. The ending involves Matt and Jeff hitting Edge with a con-chair-to on top of the cage allowing the Hardys to escape and win the Tag Team Titles. 4/5

SMACKDOWN (JULY 12, 2001)
HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. MIKE AWESOME - This match surely doesn't compare to Jeff's Hardcore Title Match with RVD a few short weeks later at Invasion but this match showed that Jeff can hangin there with one of the most powerful Hardcore champions ever in Mike Awesome. With help from his early rivals, Edge & Christian, Jeff wins the Hardcore Championship from Mike Awesome. 3/5

SUMMERSLAM '01 (AUGUST 19, 2001)
LADDER HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. ROB VAN DAM - Like I said about the Mike Awesome match, to me, this match doesn't compare to their Hardcore match a month earlier at Invasion. However, this is still a good ladder match between two of the best in this kind of environment. The ladder was used at perfect times when it needed to be used with both Hardy & Van Dam pulling off some good and unique moves with the ladders. Again, I have to say this match doesn' live up their match they had at Invasion but it was still good nevertheless. 4.5/5

VENGEANCE '01 (DECEMBER 9, 2001)
VS. MATT HARDY - This was a pretty solid match up right here with Matt's girlfriend at the time, Lita, being the special guest referee. Surprisingly, the Hardy brothers worked well against one another with some good ground work being used in the match. Matt did a good job focusing on Jeff's leg to take away the high flying offense Jeff is mostly known for. There were some pretty good counters and high risk along with a good mixture wrestling in the match. The match has a questionable ending but it worked in well and overall, this is a good match. 4/5

RAW (FEBRUARY 17, 2003)
NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH: w/ SHAWN MICHAELS VS. CHRIS JERICHO & CHRISTIAN - Not a bad tag team match but the No DQ stipulation definitley did more good for the overall match product. Jeff went it alone for a while with his partner, HBK, being handcuffed to the bottom turnbuckle. But overall, nothing past RAW material as this match was just average at best. 3/5

RAW (AUGUST 21, 2006)
VS. EDGE - This was Jeff's first night back from his 3 year absence from WWE where he wrestled the current WWE Champion at the time. This match started out wildly with Jeff taking it to Edge from the gecko and from there, Jeff and Edge kept the match flowing at a steady pace with a number of near falls and counters until the botched ending involving Lita. Again, nothing past RAW material and if it wasn't for the botched ending, this match would have been better. 3/5

RAW (OCTOBER 2, 2006)
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. JOHNNY NITRO - This match doesn't past the 10 minute mark but Jeff and Nitro kept the match exciting all the way through. I won't say this match surpasses their previous title match at Unforgiven or their later Ladder & Steel Cage matches for the I-C Title but nevertheless, this match served it's purpose crowning a new I-C Champion in Jeff. 3.5/5

BACKLASH '07 (APRIL 29, 2007)
WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: THE HARDY BOYZ VS. LANCE CADE & TREVOR MURDOCH - This match started off the night for Backlash and man, what a tremendous tag bout this is! I guess WWE was trying to revive their Tag Team division and the Hardys along with Cade and Murdoch certainly did that here in this match. This match had everything what a Tag Team match is suppose to have. Double teaming, moves done behind the referee's back, cheap shots, partner making the tag after being beat down for a long time and everything inbetween. Overall, this is a great match that did it's job. 4.75/5

RAW (JULY 16, 2007)
4-WAY ELIMINATION MATCH: VS. WILLIAM REGAL VS. SHELTON BENJAMIN VS. SANTINO MARELLA - This was a #1 Contender's Match to face Umaga for the I-C Title at The Great American Bash [That match available on "History Of The Intercontinental Championship"]. Once Santino was the first to go, the match went a steady pace that led to Regal and Benjamin double teaming Jeff for a brief period until Regal turns on Benjamin and is soon eliminated by Jeff. From there Jeff and Shelton wrestled for a little while until Jeff gains the victory after rolling up Benjamin for the win. 3.25/5

RAW (SEPTEMBER 17, 2007)
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. SHELTON BENJAMIN - For RAW standards, this was a pretty enjoyable and competitive match up for the I-C Title. Shelton and Jeff displayed a great deal of competitive spirit as they both went out there and gave the RAW fans a good match. Yes, if this match was on PPV I would expect more but being on RAW, this match doesn't disappoint. 3.5/5

RAW (DECEMBER 10, 2007)
LADDER WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. CARLITO - Surely this isn't one of those Ladder matches will stand the test of time, but appreciation does have to be given to Jeff and Carlito as they both took some nasty falls off and on the ladder in this contest. And to my knwoledge, this is Carltio's first Ladder match and if that factoid is true, Carlito definitely took those bumps in this match like a man (LOL). Overall, this is a Ladder match this worth the time to view and is surely to deliver to anyone's standards. 3.5/5

ARMAGEDDON '07 (DECEMBER 16, 2007)
VS. TRIPLE H - To me, this is the most intensed HHH/Hardy encounter I have seen. A lot of variables in this match is what gave this match that intense factor such as the possibility of Jeff being slightly intimindated by "The Game" and HHH slapping Jeff directly in the face and screaming at Jeff "Fight Me!" before Jeff returning the favor. From there, HHH took it to Jeff with his power and pure dominance for the time being. It ends when HHH attempts the Pedigree and Jeff gets the slick roll up on HHH to gain the #1 contendership for the WWE Title. 4/5 [Match also available on "Twist Of Fate: The Matt And Jeff Story"]

RAW (JANUARY 14, 2008)
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. RANDY ORTON - After the opening low blow from Orton, Orton gets himself DQ'ed. Then which, Hardy and Orton fights up to the staging area where Jeff scores with the Swanton Bomb of the top of the titantron. 0/5

ROYAL RUMBLE '08 (JANUARY 27, 2008)
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. RANDY ORTON - This match had a big time buildup and feel to it. Orton and Hardy gave a great performance out there and they produced a very good WWE Title Match. The MSG crowd was very electric in this match as Hardy and Orton went back and forth against one another. In the end, Randy Orton hits a RKO out of nowhere that vanishes the dreams of Jeff's becoming the new WWE Champion. 4.5/5

RAW (FEBRUARY 11, 2008)
VS. SHAWN MICHAELS - A week away from the Elimination Chamber, this is a great one-on-one match for Jeff as he went against someone many compared himself to. After powerslamming Jeff on the outside floor, Shawn made Jeff's back the focal point of the match. Overall, this is a great competitive match between two guys who are very similar in style and darn near in everything else. 4/5

EXTREME RULES '08 (JUNE 1, 2008)
FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH: VS. UMAGA - This match opened up ONS and was a pretty good opening contest but I did expect more from these two in this kind of environment. The match started out with some good action in the ring and soon flowed out into the crowd and around the enterance area. The match soon fell to the outside where the match ends after Jeff Swanton Bombs Umaga off a 18 wheeler but you couldn't see where Jeff really landed which was a little cheap but still a good and enjoybale Falls Count Anywhere match. 3.5/5

RAW (JUNE 2, 2008)
VS. JOHN CENA - Surprisingly, Jeff has a good match with Cena here. Jeff was at his usual here as he entertained the fans with his high flying and unorthodoxed offense but Cena is one the who surprised me after I saw Cena pulling off a leap frog in this match! This match too was closely a very competitive match with the RAW fans in attendence getting behind both competitors. This is a solid match with some good counters and near pinfalls with a good amount mixture of wrestling and high risk. Good match that in the end, John Cena scores the win over Jeff after delivering the F-U. 3.75/5

SMACKDOWN (JULY 4, 2008)
VS. JOHN MORRISON - Again, I didn't feel this match was on the same level as their previous battles over the I-C Championship but either way, this was still one heck of a back and forth match presented by SmackDown. Jeff takes a nasty fall over the top rope straight down to the floor where from there, Morrison takes full advantage to wear down the broken body of Jeff's. Morrison does a fantastic job side stepping and countering certain Hardy maneuvers. For a SmackDown match, this match iss pretty solid and quite good. 3.5/5

NO MERCY '08 (OCTOBER 5, 2008)
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. TRIPLE H - Hardy and "The Game" definitely upgraded themselves in this match from what they did previously at Armageddon. Hardy and Triple H blended in pretty well with each other as they put on one heck of a competitive match up. This is a awesome WWE Title match and one of the bests I've seen from Jeff's career. 4.5/5

SMACKDOWN (NOVEMBER 14, 2008)
EXTREME RULES MATCH: VS. THE UNDERTAKER - Nothing extrodinary or past great here for this Extreme Rules match. A couple of good spots involving chairs, a kendo stick, and a ladder but no really variation at all besides Jeff going out there like he always do and "throwing caution to the wind". If you want to see a very good Undertaker/Hardy match, I recommend looking into their WWE Undisputed Title Ladder Match from RAW in '02. But as for this match, just the same ol' SmackDown stuff. 3/5

ARMAGEDDON '08 (DECEMBER 14, 2008)
TRIPLE THREAT WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. EDGE VS. TRIPLE H - Now this match has an unbelievable championship main event feel to it. All the competitors brought their good stuff to the match. Great action in and out of the ring to include a sick table spot involving Edge delivering a spear to Jeff. I felt the end was a good finish where the interference was nearly un-noticable. This is a great WWE Title match & also, a true crowning moment for Jeff Hardy. 5/5

RAW (MARCH 23, 2009)
EXTREME RULES MATCH: VS. Dolph Ziggler - This is another poor match from RAW. A couple of hard shots from a steel chair and that's about it. 1.5/5

SMACKDOWN (APRIL 10, 2009)
STRETCHER MATCH: VS. MATT HARDY - 5 days removed from WrestleMania, the Hardy brothers find themselves in another barbaric match and from where I stand, I found this match to be very good. A few innovative spots dealing with the stretchers and the fact that both Matt and Jeff were willing to do anything to win made a good recipe. Just like how Matt won at WrestleMania, the same thing takes place here after Matt makes good after capitalizing on a mistake by Jeff. 3.75/5

NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS '09 (JULY 26, 2009)
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. C.M. PUNK - Credit has to be given to C.M. Punk & to WWE for that matter in making Punk this super villain & a perfect opposition for Jeff Hardy in that sense. Punk worked the match entirely as a heel to allow Hardy to come back fighting strong & to allow the crowd to get all over Jeff Hardy's band wagon at the same time. Both Hardy & Punk fought hard and they delivered a good World Title Match. A very entertaining & good World Title match and a nice way for the "Hardy Party" to begin again. 4/5

SMACKDOWN (AUGUST 28, 2009)
STEEL CAGE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: VS. C.M. PUNK - Wow! To me, this was one of the greatest SmackDown main events ever and definitely the best main event from SmackDown in a long time. Hardy and Punk, literally gave all they could and they put on one great of a steel cage match for the World Championship. Punk first attacks Hardy from behind to gain advantage in the match but man from there, this match was a roller coaster ride. Just a great World Title match and in ways this match is my favorite Punk/Hardy encounter. 4.5/5

I have mix feelings for this DVD. Where to me the documentary flat out wasn't that good at all, most of the matches chosen had no place belonging on this set. Yes, there are a few rare gems here but I found this DVD just a way to dramatize Jeff's current absence from WWE. What Jeff did outside of the wrestling ring was his own personal choice. Nobody made him do any of that stuff he did so the way I feel, he deserves this hardship and I do not feel sorry or guilt for Jeff one bit. Life is a world of choices, and Jeff (full knowing he already had 2 strikes) kept on making the wrong ones. But as a recommendation, unless you want to see a few of the good matches included here, I personally give this one a pass. If you want to see a very good documentary on Jeff (and on Matt for that matter) I recommend their previous DVD, "Twist Of Fate: The Matt And Jeff Story.""