Hardy has had various legendary matches throughout his storied career, such as the two TLC Matches at WrestleMania where he teamed up with his brother Matt and took on The Dudley Boyz as well as Edge and Christian, his first Intercontinental Championship triumph over Triple H and his war with CM Punk at SummerSlam.
But one of his most unforgettable performances took place on RAW in 2002 when he took on Undertaker in a Ladder Match for the Undisputed Championship and came just inches away from upsetting the WWE Universe and becoming world champion for the first time ever.
Taker ultimately won the match and was so impressed by the high-flier’s performance that he returned to the ring and raised his hand in front of the crowd, even though the champion performed as a heel (villain).
Hardy still remembers that match with a lot of fondness as it produced some amazing storytelling and offered him some important lessons during the early stages of his Singles career.
The three-time world champion told Express Sport: “Huge influence, I mean he’s the living legend of WWE. He’s the man.
“Just to be a young up-and-coming Jeff Hardy in the ring with The Undertaker, having the underdog vs the main-eventer match was just a great storytelling on our part as far as me almost becoming the champion for the first time in my career.
“Every time I got in the ring with him it was a learning experience and every time I watched him I learned something. So that’s how I modified myself, by watching guys like Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, all these great talents. And kind of taking a little bit from each of them and creating myself.”
Rumours suggest Undertaker may return to action at SummerSlam on August 19 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York to renew his rivalry with John Cena.
The Deadman beat Cena in less than three minutes at WrestleMania 34 with just one Chokeslam and a Tombstone Piledriver.
Hardy may also compete at SummerSlam after losing the US Championship to Shinsuke Nakamura and suffering two savage attacks by the returning Randy Orton.