TNA Says:
Also on Thursday, X Division Champion Manik requested a chance to take his career to the next level in match against “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy – and Hulk Hogan agreed! It’s a huge opportunity for the masked superstar to battle Hardy – and no doubt a match you don’t want to miss as two of wrestling’s premiere high-flyers collide for the first time on IMPACT!
Best Case Scenario: Hardy and Manik work a long, athletic match that emphasizes what makes both of them special. Manik shows off some signature offense, even adding one or two new wrinkles to his repertoire to try and knock off the well-established Hardy. Hardy sells his butt off, but ultimately gets his comeback, hits the Twist and the Swanton, and pins Manik to a big pop.
Worst Case Scenario: Manik turns on Hardy, hits him in the back of the head with a hammer, and joins Aces & Eights. If you think this is the worst idea possible, you’re right. If you think it’s impossible, you haven’t been watching the last year of Impact.
Dave Says: If a show ever needed to be saved on paper, this is it… This is a non-title exhibition, the goal of which is to get over Manik, but consider this: what if Jeff Hardy won the X Division Title? Hardy would bring huge name recognition, star power, and prestige to the X Title while also being able to put on worthy X Division matches. It’s exactly what TNA thought they were getting with Rob Van Dam!
