WWE SmackDown before SummerSlam 2020: 5 reasons why Jeff Hardy became the Intercontinental Champion

#2 A slow-burn heel turn for Jeff Hardy?

Could we see a change in direction?

Admittedly, this is the least-likeliest scenario on this list. However, given how the match ended and the way Jeff Hardy won, it could open the door to different possibilities.

If you didn't watch the match, then you may have missed the fact that it wasn't a clean win for Jeff Hardy. He used his knee brace to attack AJ Styles and pick up the victory, but that was likely viewed as "poetic justice" since AJ Styles injured Jeff Hardy in the RETRIBUTION angle at the start of the show.

It's uncharacteristic of Jeff Hardy to cheat like that to win, but given the circumstances, it isn't too unfair. It's hard to imagine Jeff Hardy as a heel since he's been a babyface for the longest time. However, a change in direction isn't always a bad thing - and a heel turn could be the key to unlocking a side of Jeff Hardy that we've never seen throughout his career.

With that said, SmackDown is still short on top babyfaces.