Following Matt Hardy - Day 2
As a child growing up in the suburbs of North Carolina, Matt Hardy and his brother Jeff dreamed of one day competing in the Mecca of sports-entertainment-World Wrestling Entertainment. At age 18, Matt achieved that goal, competing with WWE. He and Jeff went on to form The Hardys, capturing numerous tag team championships as well as the respect and admiration of the WWE fans.
Now Matt is all grown up and has matured into a well-rounded, level headed SmackDown Superstar fueled by competition. His dream of competing at WrestleMania has once again become a reality. WWE.com will follow Matt Hardy all week before he steps into the ring to face seven other Superstars, including Jeff, in hopes of earning the opportunity to compete for a World Championship. What does the frenzy of WrestleMania do to Matt’s life? Check with WWE.com through the week leading up to WrestleMania 23 to find out.
8:23 a.m. - Rise and Shine
Sleepless nights become more frequent as WrestleMania approaches. With a hectic appearance schedule paired with the lingering reality that his WrestleMania match could potentially end his career, Matt Hardy gazes out the window of his limousine with a cup of coffee in hand before his 9 a.m. appearance at Michigan’s Western International High School. “I got about four hours of sleep last night,” said a bleary-eyed Hardy. “I finally went to bed around 3:30 a.m. and then got back up around 7:15.”
10:11 a.m. - Ladies and Gentleman: Matt Hardy
As he emerged from behind the curtain to a raucous ovation from Western International’s 9th Grade Academy, all of Matt’s drowsiness evaporated. “I don’t have to manufacture a story when I talk to these kids; I only have to tell the kids about my life,” he said. And that’s exactly what he did. Speaking to the awestruck crowd, he answered questions ranging from how much longer he’ll perform in WWE, what it will be like to compete against Jeff at WrestleMania 23 and what his favorite aspects of his job are. “The best part about being in WWE is that I followed my dream. Whatever you have as a dream, don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen; give it your all. If you’re not giving it your all, you’re robbing yourself.”
10:36 a.m. - Turning the Tables
Matt turned the tables and began asking the kids questions. Curious about their future plans, Matt hopped off stage and asked students what it is they wanted to do with their lives. There were future doctors, nurses, animators and of course, WWE Superstars, scattered throughout the audience. Matt’s advice to them -never give up, especially when the chips are down. “Life is like a wrestling match; a lot of times things are looking good and then something happens and you’re fighting from underneath.”
11:05 a.m. - An Emotional Moment
Following Matt’s appearance, 16-year old Deanna Huff broke down in tears when the SmackDown Superstar granted her an autograph. The lifelong Hardy fan had gotten wind that Matt would be at the school, and waited patiently for two hours in the parking lot for her opportunity to approach her idol for his signature.
credit - wwe.com
Now Matt is all grown up and has matured into a well-rounded, level headed SmackDown Superstar fueled by competition. His dream of competing at WrestleMania has once again become a reality. WWE.com will follow Matt Hardy all week before he steps into the ring to face seven other Superstars, including Jeff, in hopes of earning the opportunity to compete for a World Championship. What does the frenzy of WrestleMania do to Matt’s life? Check with WWE.com through the week leading up to WrestleMania 23 to find out.
8:23 a.m. - Rise and Shine
Sleepless nights become more frequent as WrestleMania approaches. With a hectic appearance schedule paired with the lingering reality that his WrestleMania match could potentially end his career, Matt Hardy gazes out the window of his limousine with a cup of coffee in hand before his 9 a.m. appearance at Michigan’s Western International High School. “I got about four hours of sleep last night,” said a bleary-eyed Hardy. “I finally went to bed around 3:30 a.m. and then got back up around 7:15.”
10:11 a.m. - Ladies and Gentleman: Matt Hardy
As he emerged from behind the curtain to a raucous ovation from Western International’s 9th Grade Academy, all of Matt’s drowsiness evaporated. “I don’t have to manufacture a story when I talk to these kids; I only have to tell the kids about my life,” he said. And that’s exactly what he did. Speaking to the awestruck crowd, he answered questions ranging from how much longer he’ll perform in WWE, what it will be like to compete against Jeff at WrestleMania 23 and what his favorite aspects of his job are. “The best part about being in WWE is that I followed my dream. Whatever you have as a dream, don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen; give it your all. If you’re not giving it your all, you’re robbing yourself.”
10:36 a.m. - Turning the Tables
Matt turned the tables and began asking the kids questions. Curious about their future plans, Matt hopped off stage and asked students what it is they wanted to do with their lives. There were future doctors, nurses, animators and of course, WWE Superstars, scattered throughout the audience. Matt’s advice to them -never give up, especially when the chips are down. “Life is like a wrestling match; a lot of times things are looking good and then something happens and you’re fighting from underneath.”
11:05 a.m. - An Emotional Moment
Following Matt’s appearance, 16-year old Deanna Huff broke down in tears when the SmackDown Superstar granted her an autograph. The lifelong Hardy fan had gotten wind that Matt would be at the school, and waited patiently for two hours in the parking lot for her opportunity to approach her idol for his signature.
credit - wwe.com