CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy: The Definitive Timeline

There is an art to telling a great story. Compelling stories that generate genuine emotion in professional wrestling often derive from personal situations and life lessons.

While storylines do not need to blur the lines of reality to be effective, they can be more effective if the truth is disclosed upfront.

A Straight Edge Superstar believes a drug addict has essentially flushed his opportunities down the drain, and despite his missteps, the fans still adore and forgive him. The hypocrisy is not lost on this Straight Edge Messiah, which leads to a monumental shift in his attitude, making him one of the most villainized yet undeniably influential wrestlers on the planet.

He must rid the fans of this Charismatic Engima so they will stop living in the moment only to wake up and start living in his reality.

This is the definitive timeline of CM vs Jeff Hardy.

Extreme Rules - June 7, 2009

Two Ladder Match pioneers competed for the World Heavyweight Championship with the belt hanging high above the ring. A ladder match was not uncharted waters for Edge and Jeff Hardy.

Edge entered the match as the reigning and defending World Heavyweight Champion, with Jeff hoping to play spoiler with a stipulation that arguably worked in his favour.

At around the 18-minute mark, Edge’s miscalculation after attempting a spear of a ladder would cost him, with Hardy countered into a Twist of Fate in mid-air, sending both crashing down to the mat below.

As Hardy ascended to the top of the ladder, Edge was on the other side playing catch up.

Edge knocked Jeff off after several punches, but Hardy cleverly pulled his opponent between the ladder's rungs. With Edge stuck, Hardy took advantage of the opportunity to quickly climb up and pull down the belt to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion.

The fans rejoiced, but unfortunately, this feel-good moment wouldn’t last long.

With Jim Ross in the ring prepared to interview Jeff Hardy, CM Punk’s familiar theme song “This Fire Burns” from Killswitch Engage started playing. Jeff Hardy collapsed into the corner as CM Punk marched to the ring with his Money In The Bank briefcase.

CM Punk’s timing garnered a negative response from the New Orleans audience, primarily because of their collective admiration for Jeff and his effort to capture the title from Edge.

After the bell rang, Punk hoisted Jeff onto his shoulders and executed the GTS.

1….2….kick out!

Punk brilliantly sold the reaction of bewilderment.

An inside cradle from Jeff nearly spoiled Punk’s cash-in, but the Straight Edge Superstar would nail Jeff Hardy with a second GTS, which put The Charismatic Enigma away.

CM Punk was officially a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, and Jeff Hardy’s moment was ripped away.

CM Punk cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on Jeff Hardy. [Source: WWE Network]

SmackDown - June 12, 2009

The show opened by recapping the shocking conclusion of Extreme Rules, which saw Jeff Hardy capture the World Heavyweight Championship over Edge in a ladder match only to lose it minutes later to CM Punk, who successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.

Justin Roberts welcomed the new World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk. While making his way down to the ring, The Straight Edge Superstar received a mixed reaction from the live audience.

CM Punk: “I’ll cut right to the chase. I wanted to come out here and clear up a few things. Ever since I cashed in my Money in the Bank Briefcase at Extreme Rules, I’ve heard some grumblings. Some vocal ones right now too that say I stole the World Heavyweight Championship from Jeff Hardy. I’m sorry, I don’t see it way.

Last year, when I cashed in my first Money in the Bank briefcase on Edge, I didn’t see it that way then, and in fact, nobody saw it that way.

I can’t take back what I did, nor do I want to. I’m proud to stand here in this ring right now your World Heavyweight Champion for the second time.

I earned the right to cash in my Money in the Bank briefcase when I put my body on the line at WrestleMania. So last Sunday night at Extreme Rules, there’s an opportunity to become World Heavyweight Champion, staring me right in the face and I capitalized on it. That doesn’t make me a bad guy, that’s just the entire purpose behind the contract that’s in the briefcase in the first place.

Now obviously, it wasn’t the most popular decision in the world, but I’ve never done anything in my life just to be popular. I’ve always done what’s best for me.

Now this, this right here is something that I’ve worked so very hard to attain. This title right here is the entire reason I’m a WWE Superstar, to begin with. This means the world to me and I stand here in front of all of you right now and promise to bring respect, honour and integrity back to the World Heavyweight Championship. I will represent the entire WWE and the SmackDown brand to the best of my ability.

Jeff Hardy’s No More Words theme song interrupted CM Punk just as he finished his final few words.

Jeff would point to CM Punk as the crowd booed then they would chant, “Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!”

Jeff: “You think you earned it? I don’t agree. You guys think he earned it?”

Crowd yells no

“Look, you won Money in the Bank. Sure, you had the right to cash it in whenever you wanted to, but I’m telling you Punk, you cashed in on the wrong guy.”

Punk noted that he would be an idiot if he didn’t anticipate Jeff would be upset but asked Jeff to understand where he was coming from.

Furthermore, Punk explained that Jeff put himself in a ladder match at Extreme Rules and that he would cash in on whoever was champion that night.

Jeff felt Punk was selfish and questioned if he cared about his fans. Jeff would also admit that he doesn’t walk the same path as Punk but wants a rematch tonight.

Edge then intervened and rejected Jeff’s request.

Edge felt Jeff got lucky at Extreme Rules but praised Hardy for at least being his own man since Punk is emulating The Ultimate Opportunist. '

Jeff attacked Edge with the microphone and hit the Twist of Fate on CM Punk, followed by a Swanton Bomb.

On Monday, Teddy Long announced a match between Edge and Jeff Hardy later in the evening to determine the No. 1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Free for All.

Fast forward to the match's conclusion, and Edge tossed Jeff Hardy into CM Punk, who was on guest commentary.

An angry and embarrassed CM Punk entered the ring and attacked Edge, leading Hardy to be disqualified.

Jeff would enter the ring to attack Punk.

A Twist of Fate from Hardy on Edge and a GTS from Punk on Jeff would conclude the show.

Backstage, Teddy Long announced that the match on Monday would now be a Triple Threat Match between all three men for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Monday Night Raw - June 15, 2009

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviews CM Punk about being drafted to SmackDown and becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. He also asks if he has any regrets about cashing in on a vulnerable Jeff Hardy.

Punk pointed out how last year, he wasn’t asked about regrets about cashing in on Edge, and if he had won the ladder match, The Straight Edge Superstar would have been lauded as a conquering hero.

By cashing in on Jeff, Punk noted how he’s supposed to have some moral crisis, but he doesn’t see it that way.

Matt Hardy then excused Josh Matthews by mentioning to Punk, “That’s really good stuff.”

Matt even noted that he doesn’t blame him and would have done the same thing, while Punk sarcastically pointed out:

“Really? That would be pretty difficult considering you’ve never won Money in the Bank. You’ve never been world champion, once, let alone twice. So listen man, don’t come around here trying to empathize with me. Me and you, we’re not friends. We’re nothing alike. You thrive on jealousy and spite. Everything I’ve ever achieved in my life, I’ve done the old-fashioned way, by earning it.”

Punk would smirk and walk off camera

Next, the Triple Threat Match was set to transpire.

Jeff received the loudest babyface reaction, as expected, while CM Punk’s was mixed again.

Jeff hit a Swanton Bomb on Edge, but Punk broke up the pin by pulling Jeff out of the ring and forcing him into the steel ring steps.

Punk rolled back into the ring and retained his championship by pinning Edge.

The common theme of Punk taking advantage of a situation remains the main focal point.

Post-match, Teddy Long announced that Punk’s next title defence would take place at the Bash against Jeff Hardy.

SmackDown - June 19, 2009

Jeff Hardy was scheduled to face the Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho while the World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk would square off against Rey Mysterio.

The show started with Josh Matthews conducting an in-ring interview with Jeff Hardy focused on the events at Extreme Rules just two weeks prior.

Luck hasn’t been on Jeff’s side, but he was pleased to have a one-on-one opportunity to reclaim the gold again at the Bash.

Josh brought up the narrative of Punk taking advantage of a vulnerable Jeff Hardy.

Punk defended himself, noting, “Nowhere in the contract does it say I cannot cash in on Jeff Hardy.” He also took offence to Josh’s line about stealing a victory on Raw since he hasn’t stolen anything in his life.

Jeff Hardy brought up how the two are not friends and are different.

Jeff: “You live your life the way you do, and I live my life the way I do.”

CM Punk: “Absolutely. There it is, plain and simple. I live my life the way I do, and you, live your life the way you do.” Punk would confirm with a judgemental tone.

Jeff Hardy defeated Chris Jericho via count-out after Rey Mysterio intervened while CM Punk pinned Rey with the GTS.

Hardy confronted referee Scott Armstrong after Jericho got involved. Punk stood by and watched while struggling with his shoulders with a look of, “What do you want me to do?”

Monday Night Raw - June 22, 2009

Jeff Hardy, Great Khali, and Rey Mysterio teamed up to face Chris Jericho, Edge, and Dolph Ziggler in a 6-man tag-team match.

Before the match officially got underway, CM Punk’s music hit, and he joined Jim Ross and Todd Grisham on commentary.

Following a Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combination, Hardy successfully pinned Dolph Ziggler.

On commentary, CM Punk noted, “I think a win like that deserves upfront congratulations.”

At first, it appeared CM Punk would hit Hardy with the belt from behind, but he grabbed his arm and raised it in the air with a sarcastic smirk.

When Jeff became aware it was CM Punk raising his arm, he quickly pushed it away and left the ring. Jim Ross wondered out loud if Punk had upstaged Jeff Hardy.

The seeds of a CM Punk heel turn continued to be planted.

SmackDown - June 26, 2009

Backstage, Vince McMahon and Teddy Long approached the World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk.

Vince pointed out how Punk’s wrist-roll was “cool.”

Vince McMahon: “I think you’re really cool, I really do. Winning Money in the Bank twice, cashing it in twice, at Extreme Rules, you become World Heavyweight Champion again. That’s got to be an unbelievable feeling for you. How do you do it?”

CM Punk: “Well, you know me, I just live a clean life, work real hard and good things happen.”

Vince McMahon: “That stuff you always talk about, a straight edge lifestyle thing, it’s just an act, right? Teddy thinks it is.”

CM Punk: “Absolutely not. I don’t need drugs or alcohol to get high, I get high off the competition. The best high of all is crushing the competition and winning. I know that you can relate to that.”

Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio teamed up to face the team of Chris Jericho and Edge in a Rage in the Cage Steel Cage match featuring CM Punk as the guest referee.

Hardy avoided Edge’s spear, only for CM Punk to take the brunt of the damage. Jeff would hit Whisper in the Wind, but CM Punk was grabbing his ribs and wasn’t particularly on the ball while counting the pinfall, with Edge kicking out at two and a half.

Hardy, unaware of Edge spearing Punk, argued with Punk.

Edge blocked the Twist of Fate, which sent Hardy into the corner where Punk was standing. The two came face to face, and by the time Hardy turned around, he was met with a spear as Punk was forced to count the pinfall.

Post-match, Punk grabbed the microphone at ringside.

“WWE Universe, I want you to put your hands together for a guy who just fought his heart out for you. Put your hands together for the number one contender for my World Heavyweight Championship this Sunday at The Bash. You know him, you love him, ladies and gentlemen, Jeff Hardy!”

Punk came off as very disingenuous as Jeff Hardy looked on with confusion.

WWE The Bash - June 28, 2009

CM Punk was oddly introduced as the champion to a mixed reaction.

Jim Ross pointed out that he abided by the letter of the law by cashing in his contract.

Jeff Hardy was devoid of face paint, which further articulated the importance of this moment.

The match started cutting much more methodically with plenty of grappling and holds.

After moving out of the way while Jeff Hardy catapulted himself off the steel steps, CM Punk stepped out, nearly getting Hardy counted out.

Punk continued to keep Jeff grounded while Hardy played his traditional underdog role.

While Hardy made a triumphant comeback, Punk constantly cut him off, but displayed his frustration by being unable to put Jeff away.

Eventually, Jeff changed the momentum by executing a Twist of Fate and Swanton.

Referee Scott Armstrong counted three but immediately waved off the victory after noticing Punk’s foot under the bottom rope.

Upon the match being restarted, Punk attempted to hit the GTS, but Hardy fought out of it after a series of elbows to the head.

Covering his eye, Punk kicked Scott Armstrong in the mid-back, getting himself disqualified, which meant he retained his World Heavyweight Championship.

Was this unintentional or an act of desperation?

Post-match, Hardy confronted Punk on the ramp by claiming, “You did that on purpose!” Punk defended himself, but it wasn’t convincing Jeff, who attacked his opponent.

Referees held Jeff back after the two made their way to the ring.

SmackDown - July 3, 2009

The show kicked off with CM Punk addressing the controversial way he retained his championship.

The reception was colder than weeks prior as he came off as a coward regardless of the eye injury.

Punk: “Everybody’s talking about the controversy stemming from The Bash. To be completely honest with you, 'I’m getting a little sick and tired of it. I’m getting sick and tired of it because people are saying that I purposely struck an official to take the cheap way out and retain my title by disqualification.”

Punk then proceeded to explain, step by step, what happened.

1. Hardy was not robbed because his left foot was under the rope during the pin.

2. He pointed out the severe injury suffered following Jeff’s elbows to counter out of the GTS. Furthermore, Punk would restate how he’s a man of honour and never take the cheap way out.

3. Punk acknowledged that Hardy had every right to be frustrated with the outcome, but nothing excuses him for the post-match attack.

Punk said his act was an accident, while Jeff’s was deliberate.

Punk granted Jeff another title shot, but not without an apology first.

Instead, Teddy Long announced that CM Punk would face Jeff Hardy at Night of Champions.

To further shake things up, Teddy announced that CM Punk and Jeff Hardy would team up to face the new Unified WWE Tag Team Champions of Edge & Chris Jericho.

Suddenly, Jeff went to the ring, stood nose to nose with Punk, and did not want to hear excuses while questioning if Straight Edge meant being a liar.

Punk responded, “Unless the next words out of your mouth are I am sorry, you can shut up because I don’t care what you have to say.”

The two would shove each other before Long intervened.

Punk explained they needed to get on the same page. Otherwise, Jericho and Edge will tear them apart.

Punk’s final words were not so subtly directed at Jeff’s past demons.

“I can see your temper about to boil over. I know how bad you want to punch me, but my advice to you is very simple and it’s something you should have done a long time ago, just say no.”

CM Punk: “Just say NO.” [Source: WWE Network]

Later in the evening, the two-faced Jericho and Edge appear on the same page. At one point, Punk even played the part of Matt by getting down to his knees as Hardy would launch himself off his back, hitting Poetry in Motion to Edge.

As Punk crawled to the corner to tag in Hardy, Jeff sporadically grabbed his eye and dramatically fell to the floor. This was meant to mock CM Punk’s eye injury.

Edge took advantage by tagging himself in and spearing Punk for the victory.

Post-match, Jeff executed a Twist of Fate on Edge and continued to mirror Punk’s injury until it was revealed that he feigned the eye injury.

An angered and embarrassed CM Punk looked on from the ring.

SmackDown - July 10, 2009

Jeff Hardy kicked off this episode of SmackDown sporting an eye patch.

“You know last week in the middle of my tag-team match with my partner CM Punk, tragedy struck.”

The footage is shown from last week where Jeff’s overdramatic eye injury occurred out of nowhere.

“You know, I don’t know what happened, it was like my eye was on fire all of a sudden. I was in pain, extreme pain, but you know what hurt me the most is that after the match, CM Punk never took the time to come find me and see if I was okay. It’s almost as if he thinks I’m making this whole eye injury up.

Unlike CM Punk, I do not makeup injuries.

Unlike CM Punk, I do not kick referees in the back.

And unlike CM Punk, I do NOT forfeit matches.

So Punk, believe me when I say, my eye injury is just as serious as yours.”

Jeff Hardy went on to face Kane, but CM Punk would make his presence felt.

Before a Swanton Bomb attempt from Jeff, CM Punk’s music played with the distraction, leading to a top-rope Chokeslam courtesy of the Big Red Machine.

Punk smirked with delight, knowing that they cost Jeff the match.

Later in the evening, Punk squared off against The Great Khali with Jeff Hardy on commentary.

Before the match, Punk grabbed the microphone.

“Are you proud of yourself, Jeff? I could have been seriously injured last week and you’ve got a lot of nerve faking an eye injury and leaving me in the ring to fend for myself. Especially considering you’re the one who injured my eye in the first place.

As far as what you said earlier about me making the whole thing up, coming out here with your cute eyepatch mocking me, I want to show you something, Jeff.

THIS (holds up a tiny bottle) is Polymyxin B Sulfate. I have to apply this to my eye three times a day. The only way you obtain this is with a prescription from a doctor.

Now, I know you know a thing or two about prescription medication, but what I don’t think you realize is that you have to go to a doctor to legally obtain some. Unlike you Jeff, this is the only foreign substance I will allow in my body. So, if you want to imitate me, why don’t you try living a clean lifestyle?

Why don’t you try living a Straight Edge lifestyle?

Jeff, you’ve got two strikes. You know how many I have? Zero.

Jeff, you know how many times I’ve been suspended? Zero.

You know how many times I’ve been to a rehab facility? That’s right, zero.

And you know what your chances are of beating me at Night of Champions? Zero.”

As the match got underway, Kane eventually came down to distract The Great Khali.

SmackDown - July 17, 2009

Jeff Hardy addressed CM Punk’s comments from last week during the first segment of SmackDown.

Hardy: “You see Punk, you just don’t get it, you keep bringing up my mistakes like I’m trying to hide behind something. But let me straighten something out, everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve been suspended twice. I admit that but I haven’t failed a test in over a year and I have never been to rehab, I’ve always healed myself.

At Night of Champions, I will beat CM Punk.”

CM Punk’s music interrupted the final words of Jeff’s promo.

Punk: “I’m sorry, Jeff. I’m a little taken back. This is what it comes to? People actually cheering because you haven’t failed a drug test in a year. This is not an accomplishment. Maybe it’s an accomplishment to you, Jeff, so congratulations. You didn’t fail a drug test in 365 days. You can start writing your Hall of Fame speech right now.”

Hardy: “Look man, I hope you came out here for something else. I’m tired of hearing the same thing week after week after week.”

Punk: “Jeff, it’s the same thing week after week after week because you don’t listen. You never have. Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Did you ever hear that in school? Probably not because you were a screw-up then too.

How many exams did you fail?

How many classes did you skip?

How many times were you expelled?”

Hardy: “I get it, so you’re not a wrestler, you’re my guidance counsellor.”

Punk: “No, no Jeff. I’m not your guidance counsellor, but maybe you should just wish that I was cause I could have sent you straight, man. You wouldn’t have drank, you wouldn’t have smoked, you wouldn’t be who you are right now. You wouldn’t be on this path that you’re on.

Jeff, look at yourself. You’re a joke. You come out and you admit that you failed two tests, two drug tests and then you brag about never having gone to rehab? Who do you think you are?”

Hardy: “Who do I think I am? I think I’m the next World Heavyweight Champion. As a matter of fact, I know.”

Punk: “Jeff, you’re a dreamer man. A guy like you can never beat me. I’m Straight Edge. I don’t drink. Alcohol has never touched my lips and it never will. I don’t smoke. I never have. I don’t do drugs and don’t ever plan on doing it.

A year from now, I will still be champion and what about you? You’re going to fall back into the same vicious cycle. You’re going to lose to me and you’re going to fall back into your vices. You will lose to me and fall back into your vices. You will lose to me and fall back into your vices. Repeat, so on and so forth.”

Hardy: “Sorry man, I guess I’m not as perfect as you.”

Punk: “No, but maybe you should be. Maybe you should be perfect. It’s the same thing in all these arenas I go to, day in and day out. There is a sea of kids out here wearing Jeff Hardy t-shirts. That scares me, man. That scares me because you are their hero. That just means there are a million little kids out there that are just going to see their hero become just another statistic.”

Hardy would then shove Punk out the ring

Punk: “Jeff, look at me, I’m going to be the bigger man. You know, I have a match coming up next, but that’s not going to stop me from tearing you apart at Night of Champions.

After countering the Oklahoma Roll into a Cradle Pin, John Morrison defeated CM Punk in a non-title match.

Punk refused to shake Morrison’s hand following the loss.

Jeff Hardy & Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio faced Dolph Ziggler & Chris Jericho in the main event, with CM Punk on commentary.

Hardy attempted to throw Jericho into Punk, who barely escaped harm's way. Punk threw Jericho into Hardy, who hit the steel steps as the referee called for the bell.

Rey argued with Punk until Ziggler attacked Mysterio.

Following a Code Breaker, Chris locked Jeff in the Walls of Jericho while an expressionless CM Punk looked on and eventually left ringside.

SmackDown - July 24, 2009

The episode started with a video package that recapped the conclusion of SmackDown from last week.

Before his match against Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy got on the microphone.

Hardy: Last week, CM Punk said I would wind up a statistic. He also said that he despises the example that I set for you, the WWE Universe. Well, he’s going to despise it a lot more when I become World Heavyweight Champion.

You know, he comes out here and stands on his soapbox and preaches that Straight Edge lifestyle over and over again and tries to shove it down everybody’s throat, I’m sick of it.

After Night of Champion, the preaching is over because the WWE Universe, they’ll be living in the moment with me, the Charismatic Engima, Jeff Hardy!”

Jeff Hardy later defeated Chris Jericho with a Swanton Bomb in a competitive match.

In the show's main event, CM Punk was scheduled to face the Interconential Champion, Rey Mysterio.

Ziggler would intervene and interrupt a Rey Mysterio pin attempt to cause the DQ.

With Mysterio ready to hit Ziggler with a 619, Punk shoved Mysterio down.

Jeff Hardy came to the aid of Rey Mysterio, but an opportunist, CM Punk, returned to the ring and executed the Go to Sleep.

The past two episodes of SmackDown solidified CM Punk’s new direction as a character. Despite being truthful, the audience rejected his preachiness and vowed to support their hero, Jeff Hardy, despite his missteps.

Night of Champions - July 26, 2009

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviewed CM Punk before his World Championship match against Jeff Hardy.

Punk: “Instead, I’m going to ask a question of my own and I’m going to ask it to the audience. So audience, do you mean to tell me that after everything I’ve said, after telling you the truth that you’re still behind Jeff Hardy?”

Crowd cheers

Can I borrow this?

CM Punk walks out into the arena crowd and stands on some equipment boxes

“So, all you people here, despite evidence to the contrary, still choose to support a man for all intensive purposes can’t even support himself?”

Crowd cheers

“Okay, okay, so if you’re a Jeff Hardy fan if you’re wearing a Jeff Hardy t-shirt if you’re wearing one of his diabolical hand sleeves, God forbid, if you have your face painted, I want to see you stand up right now. I want to hear you make some noise. If you love and support Jeff Hardy, let the world know.

Cameraman, get a good shot, get a real good shot of all these people.

The truth is, ladies and gentlemen, I don’t blame you. I don’t blame anybody here for supporting Jeff Hardy. The people I blame are their parents. Or let’s be realistic, I said parents, but what I should have said is parent. Because it’s obviously a single-parent situation just like the way Jeff Hardy grew up.

You see, you people are so concerned about the relationship with your children failing, just like your marriage did, that you answer to their every whim and their every desire.

I hate to tell you, this doesn’t make you a good parent, Philadelphia. This makes you an enabler.

And the fact that you even let your children look up to a guy like Jeff Hardy shows that you don’t care really happens to them to begin with. It’s a sad situation.

So, I don’t blame anybody here or sitting at home watching this that supports Jeff Hardy if they’re under 17 because they’re young and well, they’re impressionable.

The real problem lies with the parents. It’s the parents who don’t make the conscious effort to sit their children down and teach them the proper way to live.

You see, it starts with a Jeff Hardy t-shirt, the next thing you know, they’re smoking a pack of cigarettes. After that, they’re drinking a bottle of beer. Right after that, they move on to shots of Jack Daniels, which is a gateway drug for Marijuana. And the fact that you people sit here and cheer that just goes to show I’m telling the truth.

How about some old-fashioned street drugs?

Then before you know it, they’re rummaging through mom’s purse because they’re addicted to her prescription medication.

All of this can be stopped before it’s too late. Parents, all you have to do is talk to your children. Sit them down and tell them the words that can save their lives. Show them that sometimes it’s what you don’t do that makes you who you are.

For weeks, I’ve been saying to people like you, just say no. But tonight, I think we should just say yes. Yes to the future of a Straight Edge, drug-free America.

Just say yes to the winner of tonight’s match.

Just say yes to the World Heavyweight Champion.

Thank you.”

This was a remarkably effective promo in further establishing CM Punk's new direction while also serving as a pivotal moment in his career related to becoming a top heel in the industry.

CM Punk cutting a promo in the audience during Night of Champions. [Source: WWE Network]

The Main Event

CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy was the main event of Night of Champions, deservedly so.

Similar to their previous encounter, CM Punk was the first introduction, despite the champion traditionally going last.

Will it be a Hardy Party in Philadelphia or the final crack at the champion before he falls to the back of the line?

The story match was a laser-focused CM Punk doing everything he could to put Jeff away with the resilient Charismatic Engima refusing to lose.

Frustrated, CM Punk rolled out of the ring, grabbed his belt and headed to the back. His goal was to be counted out, but a very aware Jeff Hardy intervened and threw him back into the ring to stop the count.

Following a Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb, Jeff Hardy defeated CM Punk to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.

An elated Jeff Hardy held the champion high as the crowd cheered in approval.

CM Punk’s nightmare just became a reality.

SmackDown - July 31, 2009

Just days after defeating CM Punk to claim the World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy opened SmackDown with a celebration.

Exclusive footage was shown following the conclusion of Night of Champions, which showed CM Punk extending his hand and shaking Jeff’s as a sign of respect. Punk prides himself on being a man of honour, so this gesture wasn’t necessarily uncharacteristic despite the new direction.

Hardy: “Wow! If this is a dream, don’t wake me because I’m just chillin’ in the imagination kickin’ it Jeff Hardy style, the new World Heavyweight Champion.”

Jeff went on to thank all the outcasts, rejects, freaks and all the people who have stood by him through thick and thin.

Hardy also acknowledged that heading into Night of Champions, CM Punk said some pretty rotten things towards himself and the fans, but everyone collectively said no to being force-fed his point of view.

Furthermore, Jeff assured the fans that the only thing he’s high on is being the World Heavyweight Champion.

Hardy also explained that according to Teddy Long, CM Punk would be able to have a rematch against whichever champion he so chooses at the time, but also spent the time to put over John Morrison, his opponent for the evening.

After a few matches, Josh Matthews would interview CM Punk backstage.

Punk considered Hardy’s victory an upset and that he’s not the better man since CM Punk has a hard time believing that, considering how Jeff chooses to live his life.

Punk: “I can’t really respect anybody who lives that type of lifestyle and this isn’t me being preachy, this is just me stating the facts. The facts are, I wish everybody was Straight Edge. I wish you were, I wish everybody today in this arena was Straight Edge. Jeff has said many times in the past that he likes to live in the moment and I just want Jeff to know that he should enjoy this moment because it’s not going to last very long. I have a lot of fans too who have supported me too who I would like to thank and I’m not about to let them down. So, good luck to Jeff Hardy. Good luck to John Morrison. I’m taking on the winner.”

Jeff Hardy retained over John Morrison in a fun match with a Twist of Fate/Swanton combination.

The celebration was short-lived as CM Punk made an appearance.

Punk raised Jeff’s arm multiple times and asked for the ringside microphone.

Punk: “You know, Jeff, honestly, the last few weeks…” Punk would then drill Hardy in the head with the microphone as a cheap shot.

After a barrage of punches and kicks, Punk threw Hardy into the security wall multiple times.

Following this prolonged beatdown, CM Punk spoke to the world on the stage.

Punk: “I want everybody all over the world to tune into SmackDown next week cause that’s when I’m gonna take my World Heavyweight title back.”

SmackDown - August 7, 2009

CM Punk challenged Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event.

Punk opened the show in Long Island and talked about Jeff Hardy.

Punk: “I tried. I tried so very hard to empthaize with all of your weaknesses. I implored every single one of you to just say no. And all my empathy got was for you to love Jeff Hardy that much more than you already did. But this will not deter me. I will stay the course. I still believe in teaching you people the difference between right and wrong."

Crowd chants for Hardy

”Obviously, it’s going to be challenging, listening to you people. By the looks of some of you, it’s going to be a big challenge. But just like any other challenge that has come down the pipe in my lifetime, I’m going to meet that challenge head on, like a man. Just like I did last week.”

Clips airs from CM Punk beating down Jeff Hardy during the previous episode of SmackDown

“You see, now I know why you love Jeff Hardy so much. It’s because you are all just like him and in turn, Jeff Hardy is just like every one of you. The reality is, none of you have the strength to be Straight Edge. You gravitate towards Jeff because it’s the easy way out. It’s easier to be weak like Jeff because you sure can’t be strong like me.”

CM Punk would additionally point out that the people boo him because he tells the truth and the truth hurts while insinuating that they abuse prescription medication. He would also tear them down for smoking along with smoking those “funny cigarettes” while referring to them as criminals and labelling anyone who drinks alcohol as an alcoholic.

Surprisingly, the match started early, with Jeff Hardy making his entrance and tackling Punk while getting pulled off by officials.

Vince McMahon showed up to announce there needed to be a championship match since Teddy Long was incapable of controlling anything. Vince promised a guest enforcer to maintain order but forced the audience to wait to reveal their identity.

Fast forward to the main event, and the special guest enforcer was revealed to be Matt Hardy.

What will this mean for the main event?

Matt Hardy revealed as the Special Guest Enforcer. [Source: WWE Network]

The Champion, Jeff Hardy, was introduced first; he looked genuinely surprised by viewing a ghost from his past. Matt had previously turned on Jeff by hitting him with a steel chair at the Royal Rumble.

Near the match's conclusion, CM Punk accidentally hit Matt Hardy instead of Jeff with a baseball slide out of the ring.

After getting his knees up to cover the Swanton Bomb, Punk went for the pin, but Matt pulled the referee out of the ring before a potential three count.

An argument between Matt and CM Punk ensued, with Jeff rolling up his opponent while his brother counted 1, 2, 3!

Punk protested this decision by following Matt up the ramp but turned his attention back to Jeff in the ring.

CM Punk wrapped a chair around Jeff Hardy’s neck and threw him into the steel ring post. A medical team would run down to treat Jeff.

Teddy Long announced that if Jeff is medically fit to compete at SummerSlam, Punk will receive his rematch. The catch is that the match would cater to Jeff’s style, with the stipulation being a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.

SmackDown - August 14, 2009

CM Punk started the show to discuss the TLC stipulation ahead of his rematch at SummerSlam. But what condition will Jeff Hardy be in 9 days from this moment?

Punk: “So, Teddy Long said that SummerSlam’s Tables, Ladders and Chairs match is Jeff Hardy’s specialty. Well, it wouldn’t be the first time, but Teddy is wrong. When it comes to ladders, nobody’s better than me. I’ve proven that time in and time out with consistency. As far as chairs go, well, you just saw last week the damage I can do when I get my hands on a steel chair. You don’t have to be a WWE historian to know this next little chestnut, I’ve competed in two back-to-back Money in the Bank ladder matches at WrestleMania and both times, I’ve come out victorious.”

Punk didn’t want to waste his breath describing right from wrong and the importance of virtues such as honesty and integrity.

He also labelled Jeff’s “In the Moment” mantra as propaganda.

Ending Jeff Hardy signifies a change since others would stop following him.

After questioning if Jeff would even be prepared to compete at SummerSlam, Teddy Long came out to ensure he would be, while CM Punk must compete against John Morrison tonight.

CM Punk labelled Teddy Long as a Jeff Hardy suck-up. Just then, the Charismatic Engima’s music would play and march down to the ring.

Hardy: “I am hurt, but I am here, IN YOUR FACE. And nothing will stop me. I will endure the pain and defend my World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, Punk.”

The match featuring CM Punk and John Morrison was incredibly competitive, with Morrison nearly gaining the pinfall victory after several nearfalls.

Ultimately, CM Punk pushed Morrison into the buckle after countering Starship Pain. Trapped in the Tree of Woe, Morrison endured multiple knees, followed by the Go to Sleep. Punk secured the pinfall victory, defeating Morrison.

Less than 100%, Jeff Hardy was into taking on The Hart Dynasty in a Handicap Match main event.

After taking a fair bit of punishment throughout the match, Jeff Hardy was pinned by Tyson Kidd following a version of the Hart Attack, which saw Kidd springboard off the top rope for the clothesline.

Post-match, CM Punk slid into the ring and delivered multiple 12-6 elbows to Jeff until John Morrison made the save.

Unfortunately, the uneven odds were too much to overcome, with Morrison getting attacked by a steel chair.

Shades of the previous week, Punk wrapped a chair around Jeff’s neck until Matt Hardy made the save.

The Hardys were standing tall, with Matt helping his brother up.

Teddy shared with Vince that it’s CM Punk and the Hart Dynasty vs. John Morrison and the Hardys next week.

SmackDown - August 21, 2009

With the ring surrounded by tables, ladders and chairs, Jeff Hardy came to the ring to reflect on what had been going on over the past few months.

Jeff revealed that he and Matt were at peace. He added that doctors advised him not to go forward with the match at SummerSlam and that, given his body's punishment, retirement might be a logical option.

Jeff noted that he’s not one to follow the doctor’s orders, and he doesn’t plan on starting now.

He also clarified that tables, ladders and chairs are where he is at home.

This prompted the Straight Edge Superstar CM Punk to interrupt.

With Jeff sitting atop the ladder, his opponent would address him:

Punk: “Aren’t you never being way up there so, high. Especially in the condition, you’re in and by condition, I mean that you’re probably drunk right now, just like all these people here tonight.

Crowd boos

“Yeah, that’s something to proud of. I mean, you’d have to be under the influence to stomach this live-in-the-moment crap that you spew. What’s living in the moment ever gotten you, Jeff? I know it got you a night in the hospital. For what? The adulation of these people? One brief moment on attention?”

Punk further tore down the audience for praising Jeff’s pitiful words and examples.

CM Punk acknowledged that TLC is Jeff’s match but will also be his last one. This will prove that Straight Edge is the right way and that Straight Edge means, “I’m better than you.” He must eliminate Jeff to establish the difference between right and wrong.

Punk: “I have to get rid of you so they stop living in your moment and they wake up and they start living in my reality.

The two continued to exchange words until Punk attempted to push Hardy off the ladder, who gained his balance and nailed a Twist of Fate with the ladder, hitting Punk’s back.

CM Punk confronting Jeff Hardy one week prior to their TLC match at SummerSlam. [Source: WWE Network]

In the main event, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, and John Morrison defeated The Straight Edge Superstar and The Hart Dynasty's Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith in a Six-Man Tag Team match.

The finish saw Jeff pull CM Punk's neck down on the rope while his brother Matt hit the Twist of Fate for the pinfall victory.

SummerSlam - August 23, 2009

Backstage, Josh Matthews would look for final words before the CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy main event ladder on in the show.

Punk: “There’s something else I want to bring up and that’s this. I had a friend at a fancy Hollywood agency and he ran across this little gem. Somebody actually took the time to write a screenplay about the Jeff Hardy story. So, I was paging through it and low and behold, it culminates, of course, with Jeff conquering his demons and beating me, here tonight in a TLC match at SummerSlam.

What a great feel-good story, Josh. All except of course for the ending, which is not reality-based. It’s fake, it’s phony just like everyone who lives in this town. I’d go as far as to say that I’m the only real person in this building right now. I wish I could say it’s a Los Angeles epidemic, but the fact is, it’s worldwide. You have people who falsely idolize what they see in movies and on television. If housewives in Iowa subscribed to US Weekly, so they can model their hair after Kate Gosselin instead of helping their own children with their homework. You have little kids, all over the world, millions of them, who idolize the hip, cool star. It doesn’t matter if that hip, cool, star is some dork, vampire in Twilight or if it’s Jeff Hardy. It doesn’t matter if that hip, cool, star has a reprehensible, reckless lifestyle.

You know, it doesn’t matter if the collective intelligence of this entire country continues to spiral downward, day in and day out. Doesn’t matter as long as it’s cool, right?

Do you know why they don’t make movies about guys like me? It’s because I don’t support your poisoned society. I don’t support this den of iniquity known as Hollywood. No, instead, I’m dismissed as being preachy. Except, I’m not preachy, I never have been, I just tell the truth.

You know, I’m not a screenwriter either, but tonight, I think I’ll take a stab at it. Tonight, I’m going to re-write the ending of the Jeff Hardy story. It’s going to be horrifying. It’s going to be very, very graphic. It’s going to be hard to watch for a lot of people, but it will have a happy ending, NEW World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk.”

The Main Event

SummerSlam is undoubtedly one of WWE’s premier events, which speaks volumes to the impact of the Jeff Hardy and CM Punk rivalry as they found themselves in the main event spot and deservedly so.

Competing in Jeff Hardy’s specialty match, CM Punk cleverly ducked, maneuvered and narrowly avoided disaster on multiple occasions., but he was eventually put through a table.

As expected, Jeff sustained a fair bit of damage.

One of the most significant moments of the match was when Jeff Hardy stood on top of one of the taller ladders and successfully executed the Swanton Bomb to CM Punk far below on a commentary table.

Miraculously, both competitors would crawl back into the crawl and ascend the ladder. Punk would eventually punch Hardy off the ladder with his body crashing to the mat below.

CM Punk became the NEW World Heavyweight Champion, forcing fans to wake up and start living his reality.

With Punk over Jeff Hardy’s body with the championship high above his head, a familiar gong sounded as the lights went out.

When the lights went back on, The Undertaker’s body replaced Jeff’s, and he would hit a chokeslam on CM Punk.

With one chapter closing, the next chapter featuring CM Punk vs The Undertaker was starting.

CM Punk holding the World Heavyweight Championship over Jeff Hardy’s body following their TLC match at SummerSlam 2009. [Source: WWE Network]

SmackDown - August 28, 2009

As SmackDown kicked off, Jim Ross revealed that Jeff Hardy had invoked his rematch clause and would face CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Steel Cage Match.

Justin Roberts introduced CM Punk as the only Straight Edge World Champion in WWE history.

With the fans heavily booing, the new World Heavyweight Champion bragged about his win at SummerSlam:

Punk: “I told you so. I told you all that I would beat Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam and incase you were too intoxicated to remember, let me know you how I did it.”

Clip airs of Punk defeating Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam

“I’ve never felt more alive in my entire life than I do this very moment. I’m positive that none of you weak people in attendance tonight have ever felt this way because you take shortcuts. Oh, believe me, I feel every ache and every pain of every table, ladder and chair that Jeff tried to use against me to stop me from getting back MY World Heavyweight Title. It was the most brutal match of my entire career, but it’s that pain that makes me feel so alive. And naturally, I haven’t taken a thing for it.

Unlike you people and unlike Jeff, who with even forced with the symptoms of a small headache, you reach right for your medication. You don’t just reach for the regular strength stuff, you people, you immediately double up on that extra strength medication, don’t you? Don’t you?

If any of you in here today felt the way I feel physically right now, you’d be on a morphine drip. Hey, some of you probably already are. You know the physical pain isn’t the only trauma I felt at SummerSlam. Right after the match, I was celebrating my superiority over Jeff Hardy and all his fans, when we were all robbed of my moment by the evil incarnate himself, The Undertaker.

And after all I’ve been through, tonight, I’m being forced to compete in a steel cage match. No, that’s unfair. That, is unfair, the whole thing is unfair. It borderlines on conspiracy because the higher ups are terrified of me, just like you people are. Because you fear what you don’t understand and you really just don’t even know what a Straight Edge World Champion is.

I am a pioneer and I make sacrifices. I am the role model this world needs that doesn’t drink, that doesn’t smoke, certainly doesn’t abuse prescription like Jeff Hardy, which is proof that Straight Edge means I’m better than all of you and it means that I’m better than Jeff Hardy and tonight, I’ll just prove it once again.”

Jeff Hardy’s music interrupted the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Hardy noted that he hoped Punk had enjoyed his reign as Straight Edge World Heavyweight Champion because it ends tonight.

Hardy: “Out here on your high horse with self-righteousness, preaching as if the three most important words in the English language are just say no. Well tonight, there are three words that are more important, Steel Cage Match.”

Punk: “Jeff, I know you’re probably intoxicated right now, but exactly how intoxicated are you? What did you take? What did you put in your body to get the guts to walk down that aisle and face me in this ring? Huh? What did you take? Is it painkillers, Jeff? Is that your drug of choice? Just like all of these pathetic, weak people, painkillers? You want to take painkillers so you can dull the scary reality you live in? Well, here’s reality for you, Jeff. Here’s reality for you, people. I am sick and tired of hearing them boo me. I’m sick and tired of seeing young, impressionable children in this crowd cheering a guy like you. I’m fed up with you.

Jeff, one of us doesn’t belong here anymore. So, you like taking risks? How’s this for a risk, I say tonight the loser is thrown out of the WWE. So, let me explain that to you because everything up here is a little foggy because of all the narcotics. That means, if I lose, these people along with yourself never have to listen to me come down here and tell the truth anymore.”

Hardy: “I like that.”

Punk: “But if you lose, it just proves that me and my lifestyle, my skills, my drug-free judgement, is better than yours. It proves that Straight Edge means I’m better than you. And it will just force these people to open their eyes into being Straight Edge because their hero, their enabler, won’t be here anymore.”

Jeff ultimately agreed to the proposed stipulation, making this a Loser Leaves WWE Steel Cage Match main event.

Teddy Long appeared and noted that the winner of the match this evening will defend the World Heavyweight Championship in two weeks at Breaking Point (where every match is a submission match) against The Undertaker.

As Jeff put on his face paint backstage, his brother approached him to wish him luck.

The Main Event

CM Punk hobbled down and attacked Jeff from behind during Jeff's entrance.

The World Champion spent the first couple of minutes beating down Jeff on the outside of the ring before throwing him in the ring.

The two created several dramatic moments, with each nearly escaping the door or pinning their opponent.

Jeff was dangling over the top of the cage at one point and could have dropped down to the floor below, but CM Punk barely managed to pull him back over and execute a Superplex.

Being the first to his feet, CM Punk ascended to the top of the cage with Hardy in slow pursuit. Meeting Punk at the top, Hardy was met with a poke in the eyes while having his head slammed against the top of the cage and pushed down.

With Hardy bouncing off the ropes to the mat below, Punk dropped down to retain his World Heavyweight Champion while proving he was better than Jeff.

An elated CM Punk waved goodbye as reality set in for Jeff Hardy.

A dejected Jeff Hardy asked for the microphone and said these parting words to the WWE Universe.

Hardy: “I just want to thank all of you. I want to let you know, this is not goodbye forever, this is only goodbye for now. And if the time is right, I’m sure I’ll see you in the future. Thank you, all.”

As Hardy waved goodbye at the top of the entrance ramp, Punk slammed his belt into the back of Hardy’s head.

It only made sense that CM Punk was the one who controlled every aspect of the narrative of Hardy’s departure.

CM Punk standing over Jeff Hardy’s fallen body to conclude SmackDown. [Source: WWE Network]

In the following months, CM Punk feuded with the Undertaker while eventually evolving his character into a sinister cult-like figure who formed the Straight Edge Society. During this timeframe, it can be argued that CM Punk had established himself as the top heel in the wrestling industry.

As for Jeff, he took time away from WWE to heal from injuries but ultimately chose not to renew his contract.

As fate would have it, just less than two weeks after his final WWE match, Jeff was arrested for possessing anabolic steroids and controlled prescription pills.

The Moore County Sheriff's Office for narcotics and the Fayetteville Police Department raided the Hardy house and found 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 Soma prescription pills, 555 millilitres of anabolic steroids, a residual amount of powder cocaine and items of drug paraphernalia.

On January 4, 2010, Jeff Hardy returned to TNA Wrestling during Impact's first live Monday episode!

Final Thoughts:

Over time, the lines blur. A little of you comes into the character, and that’s how we saw the true CM Punk emerge dialled up to 11.

This story was the launching pad that allowed CM Punk to transition into a condescending heel who, years later, became the face of the company for an extended period.

CM Punk’s assessment of Jeff Hardy was often bold yet accurate. Still, as with professional wrestling, the best heels are often the most honest but take a Hollier than thou approach that becomes unbearable to tolerate. He played this role to perfection.

Specifically related to Jeff, this was undoubtedly his most significant and successful singles run in WWE. Hardy was even receiving the biggest babyface reactions in the company during this timeframe. While understandably plagued with injuries and still battling the ominous cloud of addiction, I still wonder if Jeff would have been able to continue his momentum at the top of the card if he had taken the proper time to physically/mentally heal and rejoin the company.

Despite these two characters' real and fictional differences, neither man followed the crowd and was never afraid to stand out. Unexpected commonalities are rarely obvious.