Much like the Shelton Benjamin thread was influenced, its Hardy's birthday and he is 35, which got me to thinking if he is ever going to be a PROPER headliner, and more than that, does he actually have what it takes.
They had the chance but blew it when he feuded with Edge.
He has in theory been "tested" out like many are with his ECW Title run.
His feud with MVP over the US Title had him pushed as one of the main babyfaces on the blue brand.
His heel turn on his brother Jeff and the subsequent feud where he beat Jeff at Wrestlemania looked like he had finally got that push but once again he was back in the midcard.
And as recently as a few weeks ago he was Main Eventing Smackdown against CM Punk, but losing cleanly he was left to look like just a tool utilised in finishing off the Jeff Hardy feud with CM Punk and starting the Punk vs Undertaker feud.
I've gone back and forth on this over the years, the guy is to me an average talker, decent wrestler and very popular with the fans. I think his talking has always improved when he has been a heel, but overall these days I edge towards him being a midcarder. With some guys they have that special something, maybe that extra bit of overness or that look that makes them work more as a Main Eventer.
I mean compare him to Jeff. I'd say he is a better talker AND wrestler than Jeff but for some reason Jeff has that crazy overness and likeability that takes him to that next level that Matt's never quite got to.
I mean could you imagine him coming out and trading back and forth promo wise with say, a Triple H?
Thoughts?