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

#1. Jeff Hardy possibly signed a new contract

Did Jeff Hardy sign a new contract?

Jeff Hardy, similar to Rey Mysterio, had all sorts of questions surrounding him about his contract status with WWE. While it didn't seem to take as long, a simple reason behind him winning the Intercontinental Championship may have had to do with him signing a multi-year contract.

Jeff Hardy still has a lot left in him and a lot to offer WWE (more than he does to AEW). There were rumors that Jeff Hardy losing to Sheamus was more a result of him not signing a new contract. There were even some rumors that he simply didn't want to put pen to paper on a new WWE contract, but at the end of the day, money talks. If WWE managed to give Jeff Hardy an offer that satisfied him, we see no reason why he would reject it.

In all likeliness, it was simply a negotiation tactic by Jeff Hardy. But either way, knowing that he's locked down to a contract would be a good incentive for him to have signed a new WWE contract.