5 highlights of Jeff Hardy's second WWE run

The WWE Universe is still abuzz about the shocking release of the Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy. The surprise announcement came after Hardy walked out of an ongoing match at a live event last weekend.

WWE sent the veteran home following a "rough incident" with concerns over his safety and health. Recent reports claim that the former World Champion refused aid and this left the company with no choice but to release him.

The globally recognized superstar received immeasurable support from his loyal fan base. WWE Superstars also came out to support Hardy, who is fighting through another difficult phase.

The Charismatic Enigma will have to serve a ninety-day non-compete contract clause before competing for another wrestling promotion. While it is intriguing to see where the legend ends up, his well-being is the priority for the fans.

Jeff Hardy's second WWE run is over, and in admiration of the Enigma's legacy, let's look at the top 5 moments of his latest stint.

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#5 Jeff Hardy wins his fifth Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown (August 21, 2020)

Jeff Hardy won the IC Championship two days before SummerSlam 2020

Jeff Hardy has won many championships throughout his illustrious career. He is a Grand Slam Champion, having won every active title on the main roster. The last prize he won in his second stint was the coveted Intercontinental Championship.

AJ Styles was the IC Champion heading into the high-stakes battle. The Phenomenal One attacked the challenger's leg in an attempt to give him the upper hand in the match. This caused Hardy to walk into the encounter with a knee-brace that ironically assisted him in the championship victory.

On the debut night of WWE ThunderDome, the two legends put on an enjoyable affair. Towards the end, Hardy kicked Styles with the knee-brace and executed a spine-jarring Swanton Bomb to score the victory. The pinfall marked Hardy's fifth IC title win.

While it was a definite feel-good moment, a roaring live crowd would've only elevated the title victory. Jeff Hardy held onto the championship for 36 days, losing it to Sami Zayn at WWE Clash of Champions in a Triple Threat Ladder Match that included Styles.

Despite a short reign, taking the championship off a cunning AJ Styles was no easy feat, earning this a spot on the list.

#2 Jeff Hardy re-emerges on RAW with "No More Words" and defeats Karrion Kross (RAW, July 19)

Jeff Hardy and Karrion Kross traded victories over the summer.

In the first Monday Night RAW with a live crowd in seventeen months, Jeff Hardy re-appeared with his iconic "No More Words" theme song to the roar of the WWE Universe. The Charismatic Enigma enjoyed every bit of it, as shown by the wide smile across his face.

Both the fans and Hardy alike had been clamoring for the return of the popular theme song as he used the "Loaded" theme song upon his return in 2017 with Matt Hardy.

The electric entrance was the beginning of a wonderful night for the former World Champion. Jeff Hardy defeated Karrion Kross, to hand the NXT Champion his first pinfall loss in WWE on his debut night. The win gave the veteran a surge in momentum, which he could not capitalize on as he fell ill with COVID-19.

A few weeks later, once Hardy was cleared to return, he was defeated by Kross and once again fell down the pecking order.

Although the WWE Universe may not have known it back then, the return of "No More Words" was Jeff Hardy's last memorable moment of 2021.

#3 Matt and Jeff Hardy win the SmackDown Tag-Team Championships (SmackDown, April 9)

The Hardy Boyz won the SmackDown Tag Team Championships in April 2019.

It is almost impossible to talk about Jeff Hardy's legacy without mentioning The Hardy Boyz. Alongside his brother, Matt Hardy, the Enigma revolutionized the tag team division in the Attitude Era. Their TLC matches with Edge and Christian and The Dudley Boyz give us goosebumps to this day.

In March 2019, Matt Hardy returned to in-ring action and reunited with his brother. A couple of weeks later, the legendary tandem faced the SmackDown Tag Team Champions on the first SmackDown after WrestleMania 35. The Usos had run rampant over the entire tag team division on the main roster but had met their match in The Hardy Boyz.

The two teams tore the house down, and fans were on the edge of their seats. Much to the delight of the live crowd, The Hardy Boyz scored the victory to win their ninth tag team championship together in WWE.

Unfortunately, their celebration was cut short by Lars Sullivan, who laid waste to the new champions. Jeff Hardy also injured his leg due to Sullivan's attack and The Hardy Boyz relinquished their titles 21 days later.

It was The Hardy Boyz's final triumph in WWE as Matt's contract expired in early 2020.

#4 Jeff Hardy wins his first United States Championship (RAW, April 16)

Jeff Hardy won the US Championship in April 2018.

As noted previously, Jeff Hardy is a Grand Slam Champion. The only championship that he didn't win in his first run was the prestigious US Championship. However, that changed during the Superstar Shake-Up of April 2018.

The Charismatic Enigma emerged to challenge the recently drafted US Champion, Jinder Mahal, for the coveted title. After a hard-hitting affair, Hardy performed an emphatic Swanton Bomb to score the pinfall victory and win the championship.

Mahal had won the championship eight days prior at WrestleMania 34, and Hardy had just come off a long hiatus. In combination with an exuberant crowd, these factors created a magical moment. The next night, the Enigma took the US Championship to SmackDown.

The 44-year-old held onto the title for almost 3 months, and defended it successfully against Mahal, Randy Orton and The Miz. Jeff Hardy lost the championship to Shinsuke Nakamura at the end of an enjoyable reign.

The victory was special for a variety of reasons. It put Jeff Hardy into an esteemed group of Grand Slam Champions, an achievement that has even eluded all-time greats like Triple H and The Undertaker. It also established the veteran as a considerable threat on the main roster as he went on to become a prominent feature on the blue brand, laying the foundation for an amazing rivalry with Randy Orton.

#5 Matt and Jeff Hardy finally return to WWE together after seven-long years (WrestleMania 33)

The Hardy Boyz made a memorable comeback at WrestleMania 33

When it comes to returns, few will be as memorable as Matt and Jeff Hardy's triumphant comeback at WrestleMania 33. There were noticeable clues and the rumor mill was running hot, but WWE kept it a surprise till the last second.

The RAW Tag Team Championship Match was randomly changed into a ladder match and wasn't relegated to the pre-show. It received much more attention and hype than the SmackDown Tag-Team Championship, which wasn't even a part of the show.

The New Day did a fantastic job of pumping up the crowd for The Hardy Boyz's grand entry. The crowd exploded with joy once their theme song hit, and even the commentators were taken aback. Corey Graves later revealed that he didn't know about the return beforehand.

Matt and Jeff Hardy hadn't lost a single step as they took extreme wrestling to another level that night. The Charismatic Enigma executed a Swanton Bomb off a ladder onto a bridged one with Cesaro and Sheamus laid out. The Hardy Boyz won the RAW Tag Team Championships that night and their return was the absolute highlight of the event.

The thrill and excitement hardcore wrestling fans felt that night could not be described in words. It was one of the top returns of the decade and the most memorable moment of Jeff Hardy's second WWE stint.