Rookies to Legends-The Hardy Boys

Raw Magazine - January, 1999

At just 24 and 21 years of age, respectively, Matt and Jeff Hardy are two of the youngest – and most gifted – high-flying tandems in World Wrestling Federation history.

Growing up as fans of the sport in their native Cameron, North Carolina, the brothers started down the road to a wrestling career by filming home wrestling matches on a giant trampoline. By the time they were in high school, Matt and Jeff were competing at local fairs when they met wrestling veteran the Italian Stallion. The Stallion saw so much promise in the Hardys that he obtained their first big break in the Federation in 1993.

Barely out of high school, the brothers were at a severe disadvantage against established superstars who were much larger and stronger. However, they “paid their dues” and gained vast experience by competing for independent cards across the country. To earn a living while chasing their dream, Jeff worked landscaping jobs while Matt designed and created wrestling attire for fellow competitors.

This past summer, the Hardys were invited to take part in the World Wrestling Federation’s “Funkin’ Dojo” camp headed by the legendary Dory Funk and former Federation Tag Team Champion Tom Prichard. After years of developing their skills, the duo was ready to take the next step.

“The Dojo was a solid place for us to learn what it takes to be a superstar,” Matt said. “Dory taught us that it’s the little things you can do as an athlete that will make you much better. Dory and Tom have so much experience in the sport that it’s given us a new perspective inside the ring.”

Following their stay at the Dojo, Matt and Jeff began competing with the Federation full-time and gained worldwide recognition by upsetting Kaientai on Sunday Night Heat prior to September’s “Break Down”: In Your House. The next week on Shotgun Saturday Night, the Hardys intervened on behalf of a competitor who was being attacked by Too Much. By standing up to the Federation’s top tandems, the brothers finally realized their dream.

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