Miles away from their backyard training grounds in Cameron, N.C., Jeff and Matt Hardy take up arms – brother against brother – one more time at Backlash. This time, however, victory is not the sole objective as the Hardy siblings will aim to force a humiliating two-word utterance from one another: “I quit.”
If unlocking one’s destiny means endangering your own brother’s life repeatedly, even setting ablaze his home with his dog locked inside, then the key symbol on Matt Hardy’s new ring attire is an accurate metaphor. And it makes Backlash’s “I Quit” Match cruelly appropriate.
As Matt described in WWE.com’s “Dueling Diaries” exclusive which trailed both Hardys on the final days of their Road to WrestleMania XXV, he feels he is “the superior Hardy.” Motivated by a lethal combination of jealousy and wrath, Matt will do everything within his power to prove it and erase Jeff from memory.
Thus far, neither an Extreme Rules nor Stretcher Match has been enough to quell the vengeful emotions that have befallen the brothers Hardy. Without regard for rules or referees, Matt and Jeff continue to trade guerrilla-like attacks across all brands, including WGN’s newly launched WWE Superstars program. Perhaps this was the impetus behind the WWE Executive Board inking this dangerous confrontation where there are no pinfalls, no count-outs and no disqualifications.
The “I Quit” Match is an encounter in which only the most extreme enemies duel, vowing to torture each other to the point of not just submission but verbal surrender. It is a humbling, embarrassing defeat for whoever speaks this phrase, losing the bout as well as dignity.
Known for settling scores and determining champions, this contest was truly made (in)famous by WWE Hall of Famers Bret “Hit Man” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 – a moment where blood was porously drawn from Austin at the merciless hands of The Excellence of Execution.
But this instance is different. These are two brothers – born and raised by the same father – who only share one last commonality: The desire to vanquish the other.
Until now, Matt’s ill intentions have been endured by the persistent spirit of The Charismatic Enigma, who tried his best to resist walking this path with his sibling. Will the fortitude of the face-painted warrior be enough to earn Jeff a victory against his brother? Or will the elder Hardy, Matt, secure his third and perhaps most emphatic triumph over Jeff?
To what lengths will either Hardy go – or soar, knowing Jeff – to exact the ultimate fraternal conquest? Find out as Backlash comes to you from Providence, R.I., live on pay-per-view.
