[2003-02-23-WWE-No Way Out] Chris Jericho vs Jeff Hardy

[Superstar Sleeze]

Chris Jericho vs Jeff Hardy - No Way Out 2003

 

What is the point of this match? From a storyline perspective, commentary informs us that Shawn Michaels has taken Jeff Hardy under his wing. We know that Jericho idolized Michaels growing up and Jericho wants to prove he is better than his hero and that is crux of their match going into WrestleMania XIX. I don't love the Shawn/Jeff pairing because I feel like Jeff is a free spirit and having a mentor is strange. But both are sort edgy rebels without a cause so it is not the worst pairing. Michaels is not here probably because this is taking place in Montreal. Jericho goes over here which makes total sense, but the way they get there does nothing for either man. Jeff Hardy has the exact same moveset he always has. He has not incorporated any of Michaels' stuff. It is not like Jericho was somehow making this about Michaels. Maybe taunting Hardy in a specific way or using the Superkick. It was just a midcard match where both guys went through their moveset. If they want to have a match in a vacuum that's fine. So what is the hook? If the storyline is not providing the hook, there needs to be a hook. Body part psychology? Speed vs strength? Veteran vs young lion? Submission vs aerial? Outrageous heel tactics vs babyface valor? Nothing. The beginning meanders. Eventually Hardy gets a bit of a shine with his great dropkick through the ropes. It is one of his best moves. Jericho sends him into the steel steps. Solid transition. Nothing happens in heat segment. Jeff Hardy gets a bunch of nearfalls, DDT, Whisper In the Wind, Swanton Bomb and some cradles. Jericho misses his first attempts at Lionsault and Walls of Jericho. Hits the Lionsault->kick out. Jericho powerbombs Jeff off top rope and Walls of Jericho. Whats the point? It was just two people running through their movesets. Neither was adapting to the other. Jericho could have been in there with Christian. Jeff Hardy could have been in there with Lance Storm. How would have the match changed? Perfectly fine match, but they are wasting pro wrestling's greatest asset the ability to tell a story.

[Loss]

This was supposed to be Jericho vs Test and was built up to be that until like the week before the show, when it was swapped out. He and Stacy Keibler missed a Raw because of a snowstorm, and they were punished by being taken off the show. But this match was thrown together at the very last minute, which is why it comes across as having no point.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Thanks Charles. I was actually really going to hold this against Jericho and Hardy in my GWWE voting. So with some context, I will forgive them.