How Everything Changed (Book 4)

Chapter 88

*Jeff*

I watched as Matt walked out with the rest of his brand. It made me sick to see what my own brother had become such a dick.

"Silence!" Matt shouted at the fans as they booed him loudly. "Silence! I said, "Silence!" you insolent nobodies that pay to see the Iconic Matt Hardy. This is not about any of you commoners, this is about people who have the last name, "Hardy."" The crowd erupted into cheers of "We want Jeff!"

"I have built my entire legacy on the last name of Hardy. Every brick on my house is built upon that last name. Every dollar in my multi-dollar bank accounts was built on that last name. It has extreme and enormous equity in the name Hardy, and it's because for the last two decades, I have created and performed in the greatest matches in this industry. But there's a man who is tarnishing the name, Hardy, who is tarnishing my Brand, and it's my own flesh and blood—the ball and chain around my ankle, and I want that man to come out here right now. Jeff Hardy, get your ass out here."

I walk out and get cheered. I step into the ring and grab a microphone.

"How dare you, Jeffrey Nero Hardy, how dare you stain the Hardy name?" Matt asked me.

"You talk about the value of the Hardy name. I'm proud to be a Hardy. I'm proud of the legacy we built. Matt, I have no problem with you doing your own thing; my problem is with you trying to disgrace the World title. That title is bigger than you, it's bigger than me" I say as I point to Tyrus. "it's bigger than him. That title is a symbol that represents who is the very best in this business."

"No, no no. I am the best. I've always been the best. I will always be the best. I mean, I've always taken care of you and taken care of the Hardy brand. I've always made sure throughout the years that you made the flight, that you made the town, and I've helped you along when you didn't know the difference between physiology and biology, you know that! But it hasn't been a two-way street, has it? You haven't done ANYTHING for me, to help me, nothing!" Matt screamed.

"You're kidding me!" I shouted.

"And when you stuck your nose in my match last week, you did it because you are selfish! That's why you did it! So, I want you gone! I want you to smarten up, get out of my life! I'm sick of you, and I'm sick of these people, who for some odd reason thinking that I live in your shadow!" Matt continued shouting.

"I'm worried about you, Matt, the way you're going is destructive." I said.

"No, no, no. You're the only one headed towards a dead-end. You just don't get it, do you Jeff? This is just something that you're good at! This is my life! I live this! I breathe this! This is my livelihood! I'm building the Hardy brand so I can one day pass it down to my son, Maxel. I'm building something special here, and if it wasn't for me protecting you and Hardy name throughout all the years, you'd be in a dirty garage, fixing motorbikes, or on a lawn mower landscaping, or you'd be on the side of a highway, painting those silly ass paintings you paint! That's what you'd be doing. I want you to stop using the last name, "Hardy." Change your name. You can be, "the Creature." You can be, "the Willow." You can be solely, "The Charismatic Enigma," but I want you to leave the Hardy name to the only real Hardy, ME! MATT. HARDY! The Iconic Matt Hardy! Change it!"

"These people chant "Hardy" for a reason! The Creatures chant "Hardy" for a reason, Matt! It's everything we've accomplished in this ring! It's everything we've done together! Get it through your thick head, man!" I shouted back at him.

"I don't care about them! Their opinion is irrelevant to my success and what I do in this ring or what I do in my career! I want you to be done with that name! I want a match with you! I wanna beat you! I wanna hurt you! I'm gonna show the world that there's only one Hardy, that I am the essence of the name Hardy! The only real Hardy is me: MATT HARDY!" Matt screamed so much that his voice was cracking.