by Chris Yandek 3/28/200 ~ credit www.1wrestling.com
They are one of the top tag teams in WWE today. The Hardy Boyz who are the first tag team to put out a book in the company, The Hardy Boyz: Exist to Inspire, talk in depth about the book and all the events leading up to WrestleMania 19 this Sunday.
How did your brother come up with the idea to write your book The Hardy Boyz: Exist to Inspire, and what do you think fans of The Hardy Boyz and wrestling can expect from the book?
Jeff: "We were actually kind of surprised when we first heard of the idea because we are so young. I think it is kind of weird having a biography at 25 years old and Matt who is 28. It is kind of weird but cool because we are the first tag team to ever do one. It is laid out really good, and it is like an interview through the whole thing. There are stories in there from our independent wrestling days, and the process of succeeding. It is really good. I think the fans will totally enjoy our life story up to this point."
Matt: "Well, the original reason we wrote Exist to Inspire was because we were offered an opportunity, and being the first tag in WWE to be given an opportunity to write an autobiography. I think it says a lot for your levels of popularity, and understanding what you see through the fans' eyes because they gave you enough to write a book, and you know it is going to be an uphill climb. It is quite an honor to do it and we are both young. We both have a lot left in our career, but we went through all the trials and tribulations to get into WWE because we didn't have any connections or family in the business. We had a tough journey, but any journey that is tough can be rewarding. I wouldn't change anything or have any regrets. That is basically the story of our life and career. It is really interesting, emotional, makes you laugh and cry, and overall it is a great story."
Do you feel that you covered all the rumors in the book that have been reported in the years past?
Jeff: "Yes I do. I didn't realize that it came out as good as it did as far as answering some questions that people had. I hope people will say that you answered all the questions that they would see on the internet. I think we both covered a lot of that and we were honest about the whole thing. I think we told like we felt it."
Matt: "We tried to. I definitely wanted to make the book look honest. I didn't want to sugarcoat things, dance around subjects, and every internet rumor that was pegged on The Hardy Boyz we tried to address. Our relationship with Lita where we were punished for being taken off TV for that short stint, Jeff and his passion, and Jeff and the alleged drug use. We tried to hit every topic head on. I think we did a good job with it."
You and Jeff were a jobber tag team of sorts for years in the WWE. What was the one thing and person that helped you get your big break as The Hardy Boyz today?
Matt: "I think the thing that really made us stand out was we're coming in and doing jobs, working as extras, and doing anything else they needed us to do. Whenever we got in the ring, we didn't try to go in there and say we can do this move and that move and this. If guys had some spot or move they wanted to do to us, we would just take the spectacular bump. It would be something people would see and think 'Wow they took an amazing up. Did you see how they got thrown out to the floor?' It would be just something that stands out and got their attention. After we did that for a few matches in a row, people started thinking that they are a little different from everyone else. We were just trying to catch somebody's eyes and we did it."
How much have you enjoyed your singles push with the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, and what are your thoughts on your WrestleMania 19 match with Rey Mysterio Jr?
Matt: "The whole WWE Cruiserweight Championship I consider an honor anytime you hold a title in the wrestling business because it says the office has confidence in you to carry and be the champion. It was a fun storyline for me to wrestle Billy Kidman for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, and then I beat him, and now I am set to go against Rey Mysterio Jr. at WrestleMania which is the biggest event of the year. Rey Mysterio Jr is phenomenal talent, and he really is the pioneer of the whole WWE Cruiserweight Division. He will have to bring all his lucha libre to beat Matt Hardy Version 1.0. I think the match will be off the charts if we are given the right amount of time, and I think we will steal the show."
Do you prefer tag team or singles wrestler, and have you enjoyed the push with the Matt Version 1.0 storyline that is complete with true Matt Hardy facts?
Matt: "Yeah. I definitely have enjoyed the push I have received in the singles. I feel that since now I am wrestling as a singles wrestler, that I am now getting some credit I didn't get when I was with The Hardy Boyz. Jeff does so many amazing moves and just is a flashy wrestler. It is kinda what stood out about The Hardy Boyz. Once I got a chance to go alone and get some character development with the Matt Hardy Verson 1.0 and the founder of Mattitude, it has been a lot of fun and has caught on. I can't tell you how happy I am to do it as it is a good change of pace. It is fun to have a character change after you have been doing the extreme thing for so many years. Everything that has made my storyline go have been my creative ideas, and I take a lot of pride in that. The Matt facts were actually presented to me by the office. Every week I get to come up with those, and that is probably one of the fun parts of my days coming up with my own facts. I have hundreds left to go."
What are your thoughts on the WWE Brand Extension between WWE Raw and Smackdown with you and your brother wrestling on different programs, and do you think it has benefited the company?
Jeff: "I think so because for a while there I was doing WWE Raw and Matt was doing WWE Heat, and for some reason Vince McMahon didn't want two Hardy Boyz on one show, and that lead to Matt's splits, and it is obvious that Matt is doing great for himself with the development of Mattitude. I have also been able to be more of the character I wanted to be, and be more myself as far as not being held back as far as the way I look when I come out to the ring. I think it is a good move."
Matt: "Yeah. I think the brand extension is a really good thing. I think it will give guys that really never had a chance before because we have so many guys under contract in this company right now. Vince McMahon said to all the wrestlers, 'I think the brand extension is going to be a good thing. I think were going to have to take two steps back and then take one step forward, but in the end it going to be good.' I agree with him completely on that. It is a new concept. I think people were so spoiled because they were using to seeing all their stars on Monday and Thursday and then you took it and split the guys up. Now people have to see both shows to see all their stars and some people only see one show and they are not so happy. It takes a while for people to adjust to it, but I think now people are adjusting to it. In the future if you can build two different promotions and brands then you have dream matches and inter promotional feuds you can have down the line."
What are your thoughts on Paul Heyman being taken off the WWE Smackdown creative team, and do you think he did a good job while the head booker for the show?
Matt: "Yeah. I think Paul Heyman did a really good job while he was the booker for WWE Smackdown. When you ask what I think of him being removed from his position, I really don't know because I don't of the details of why he was, but I can tell you that I thought WWE Smackdown was doing really well with the storylines and the booking was really good on it. My whole theory is if it isn't broke don't fix it. That is what I have to say about the Paul Heyman situation."
What are your thoughts on Vince McMahon as a booker and a person in general?
Matt: "Well, I think there is no denying that Vince McMahon is the great wrestling promoter there ever has been. You look at what he has done and the track record good, bad, or indifferent speaks for itself. As a booker again his track record speaks for itself. He has a good idea of what is going on because he has been in the business for as long as he has. There are certain things I am sure people question and myself included as far as decisions he has made in the past as far as matches he has put together. In the end nobody is perfect."
There have been some passionate moments shared between you and Lita on WWE TV in the past. Is it safe to say you guys have had a very close personal relationship off camera, and what are your thoughts all together on Lita?
Matt: "Well, as you know Lita is my girlfriend on and off camera. We have had some passionate moments on TV and I think that has kinda translated from an actual off camera relationship. She is number one. She has a great personality, and her and me see eye to eye on the sports entertainment business. We also see eye to eye on everything in life. It has been hard being on the road without her over the last year since she had her neck injury in May. We just wanted to get her right again. I think she is kinda over the hump as far as getting back into her training and getting back to where she needs to be by June or July, and then Matt and Lita will ride again."
Any idea what your role in WWE WrestleMania 19 will be this weekend?
Jeff: "My role as of now is nothing. Matt has a match with Rey Mysterio Jr. for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, and I hope I get involved in a match in some form. I don't have a match on the card as of now."
You are in a storyline on WWE Raw right now where it seems that nothing truly makes sense to you. It is kind of like you are doing good deeds, but as well getting involved in other storylines. What are your thoughts right now as far as where you stand with the WWE in that storyline, and do you think maybe in a few years or so you might be ready to do other things outside of wrestling?
Jeff: "I really like to be completely honest. The last time I wrestled Rob Van Dam, the fans saw a side of Jeff Hardy that hasn't really been seen which is more of a heel character and more of a bad attitude. I did that for a few weeks, and am still doing the conflicted crossroads point in life, and I am enjoying that. It has been a lot more fun being heel and that in between type character. I think that is the way I need to go, and I think that is where I am with Trish Stratus right now. I don't know how that is going to develop. We will just take it week to week."
Tell me about the little angle you are having with Trish Stratus as far as the passionate role and sort of kiss you shared with her this past Monday on WWE Raw.
Jeff: "I think I am starting to fall in love with her really. No. I am just kidding. It is fun man, and I really can't complain. I use to look at muscle magazines before we were in the WWE, and I looked at Trish Stratus and thought she was so awesome. Now to be sorta involved in a relationship with her on TV is the best."
What are your thoughts on the return of Steve Austin to WWE Raw, and how it has helped the company?
Jeff: "I think it has been a crazy boost in the ratings. I think for sure it helped and of course everyone loves Steve Austin and they always will. It is good to see him back. I love him to death. He is a great guy."
After you defeated HHH for the WWE Intercontinental Championship back a few years ago on WWE Smackdown and held title for a week, did you think this was the beginning of a big single push for you and possibly your brother?
Jeff: "Yeah. Actually I did. That is one cool thing about us because even though we were tagging full time we were always allowed to do our singles and be successful at that. Now that we are on two different shows, we really get to separate, be different, and entertain. I think people are happy with our singles characters and everything. I think at that time I thought they were going to push me to the moon because I didn't know until that day I walked in the building like wow I get to beat HHH. It was great to be a WWE Intercontinental Champion."
Back in November of 2002, I had the pleasure of interviewing Shawn Michaels. I asked him what he thought of how people compared him to you and what his thoughts were on your performance. He said, "Well, I think he is more talented then I ever was as far as what he can do in that ring. I often wonder if being compared to somebody else is ever helpful to a young guy. I don't know Jeff Hardy that well, but this is a comment that I feel generally of the talent in the locker room." What are your thoughts on that?
Jeff: "That is awesome. He was a huge influence on my career. I was a huge fan of him growing up. It is great to hear of someone like Shawn Michaels speak that of me. I read a while back that Sting's two favorite people to watch wrestle in the WWE on TV is Rob Van Dam and myself. I read that from some interview and I was like 'wow'. I have never met Sting, but for Shawn Michaels saying that about me is for sure an honor man."
Do you think with all the high flying moves that you and Matt do that you are shortening your wrestling careers?
Jeff: "Most definitely. It is kinda hard to get around when you do the style we do and taking risks. I have slowed down a lot of late and so has Matt. You can't do that forever. I think the fans eventually will understand that. After those TLC matches it can be kinda hard to top. I don't know what you can do after. I guess you can start bringing lions, tigers, and bears out there. Who really knows because it is hard to top. We have slowed down, and now that we have our signature holds, and as long as we make the crowd happy with the things we do now, I think we are set up really good."
Do you think some wrestlers like HHH for instance have extra political and storyline power because he has a relationship with Stephanie McMahon, the boss's daughter as far as in the WWE and on Raw in general?
Jeff: "I think so. Shannon Moore did an interview and he said something that made a lot of sense. The interviewer asked what kinda of advice would you give to upcoming wrestlers. He said, 'They need to run a term in the White House and get their politics game down.' There are a lot of politics in the business, and unfortunately that means you have to take part in that."
Any final comments as far as the book and what fans can expect from WrestleMania 19 this Sunday?
Jeff: "I think the fans can expect a good match out of Matt this Sunday. I am hoping to be seen in possibly that match in some form. It is WrestleMania and it is the best in the world as far as sports entertainment. I think it will be a great show."
Matt: "As far as WrestleMania this Sunday, I will be taking on Rey Mysterio Jr. for the WWE Crusierweight Championship. I think it will be a dynamite match. I think Rey is a phenomenal athlete. We are going to give the fans their money's worth on that match. I am looking forward to it as it is my first singles appearance at WrestleMania. I am happy to get on WrestleMania 19 with my own accomplishments throughout the years. As far as the book goes, if you're a wrestling fan or a Hardy Boyz fan, I think you will absolutely love the book. Even if you're not I think it is a read that you will enjoy and it is a very heartfelt story. It covers many of the trials and tribulations we went through. I think people can really understand because me and Jeff more then other superstars are viewed as regular people in so many ways. I think people can relate to our story."