One big thing
Former WWE star Matt Hardy reveals Vince McMahon’s alleged skepticism towards the “Ultimate Deletion” cinematic match, highlighting the challenges of introducing innovative concepts in WWE.
Why it matters
This revelation sheds light on WWE’s internal creative dynamics under McMahon’s leadership and the hurdles faced by wrestlers trying to bring fresh ideas to the company.
The details
• Hardy claims McMahon directed commentator Michael Cole to apologize before airing the “Ultimate Deletion” match in 2018.
• The apology was meant to preemptively address potential criticism of the segment’s unconventional style.
• Hardy felt this approach undermined the match’s promotion and reception.
Key quote
“I knew that came from Vince. That was absolutely a Vince line, fed in … they were trying to cover their a** in case it’s something that didn’t seem like it’s up to WWE standards,” Hardy said on his podcast.
By the numbers
• The “Ultimate Deletion” match aired in 2018, two years after Hardy’s “Final Deletion” match in TNA (now IMPACT Wrestling).
• Hardy’s “Broken” character, featured in these matches, gained popularity outside WWE between 2016-2017.
The big picture
• Cinematic matches have since become more accepted in mainstream wrestling, especially during the pandemic era.
• WWE’s current Head of Creative, Triple H, has publicly acknowledged Hardy’s contributions to this match style.
What’s next
With WWE’s ongoing relationship with TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, there’s speculation about the potential return of Hardy’s “Broken” character to WWE for a proper conclusion.
Do you think WWE should embrace more experimental match concepts like the “Ultimate Deletion”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
