UMAGA VS. JEFF HARDY

  The new era began the night after Night of Champions 2007. We all know what else happened that weekend so there's no need to go over it again. Over on Raw Jeff Hardy and Umaga were working a decent program over the WWE Intercontinental championship. With Umaga's undefeated streak ended he could start taking some falls and becoming “another WWE guy” but hopefully put on good matches along the way.

   Before the match, The Hardy Boyz are talking in the back and Matt tells Jeff not to lose focus tonight. Matt lost his focus for a second and it cost him. This leads to the current Women's champion Candice Michelle walking into the shot and grabbing a water bottle to pour over herself in an overly long and after 20 seconds awkward segment. It leads to a Ron Simmons “DAMN!” moment. But I still want my time back.

  The challenger makes his entrance first and he gets his standard Jeff Hardy pop. You know it'll be good. Jeff lost the Intercontinental title to Umaga back in February on Raw, and besides a short stint by the debuting Santino Marella, he's held it since. Jeff earned a shot to get his title back for the fourth time. Jeff won a Fatal 4-way elimination match on the go home Raw beating Santino Marella, William Regal and Shelton Benjamin. Umaga enters alone since Bobby Lashley sent Armando Alejandro Estrada, his former handler into oblivion by throwing his wheelchair into the garbage. (I never thought about why AAE stopped coming out with Umaga, now I know.)

 

Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match

UMAGA © VS. JEFF HARDY

(WWE Intercontinental Championship)

WWE Great American Bash (22^nd July 2007)

  Jeff Hardy goes right for Umaga at the bell with right hands. Hardy gets a running start, but a shot to the throat knocks him down. Umaga shows Hardy how to really throw rights, each one knocking the challenger down.

  A Third right hand sends Jeff out of the ring, and Umaga follows. Umaga sends Hardy's head into the ring apron before sending him back in the ring. Jeff back to his feet as Umaga enters the ring and he attacks with right hands. Kick to the gut follows and Jeff drops into a sitout jawbreaker, Umaga staggers back. Jeff Hardy tries to pick up speed again but runs into a Samoan drop. We get a replay of it as Umaga beats Jeff down on the mat. Umaga brings Jeff back up to his feet and uses the Samoan coconut headbutt to send Hardy back down to the mat, following up with a leg drop. Hardy is brought back to his feet, and fights back, but runs into a back elbow. Umaga sends Hardy across the ring from corner to corner with full power. Right hands to Hardy on the mat, as Umaga isn't fussed about winning this. Trapezius nerve hold keeps Hardy down, he tries to reach up and grab Umaga, but can't get a grasp. Umaga drops to one knee, then stands again, keeping the leverage on the hold. Hardy fights to his feet but Umaga headbutts him sending him back down, keeping the hold locked in.

  Jeff Hardy fights to his feet with lefts and rights, but clubbing blows send the challenger back down to the mat. I feel like I'm repeating myself a lot here, so there's a long trapezius hold, fight back segment. Jeff tries to pick Umaga up, HE DOES! Umaga flattens Hardy, and it counts for a cover, 1, 2, No! Umaga brings Jeff over to the ropes and cannon balls on his chest. Jack Doane tries to warn Umaga off, but he hits it again. The referee gets more in Umaga's face as he goes for the third, but Jeff Hardy gets his knees up! Hardy climbs to the top, crossbody! Umaga caught him, CATATONIC! (swinging side slam?) Umaga covers Jeff, 1, 2, 2.5, no! We get a replay as Umaga climbs to the middle rope. Umaga soars at Hardy but Hardy rolls out of the way! The referee counts both men down as we see the headbutt again. Seriously? Both men up at 4 and Hardy gets there first with some rights. Hardy with a running start hits Umaga with a flying forearm. Umaga's still on his feet so Hardy hits another from behind.

  Umaga catches a kick but Jeff hits a spinning heel kick, DDT finally gets Umaga off his feet. Thay only lasts a moment as Umaga is back up and he charges at Hardy. Hardy low-bridges him sending him outside. Swinging front dropkick through the ropes by Hardy, then he hits a slingshot plancha! The referee counts both men out, Hardy gets in about 4, with Umaga barely making it in as the referee counted 9. Jeff fires away again, but Umaga just pushes him off. Hardy looks for a sunset flip but he can't get Umaga over! Umaga sits down but there's no one home! Hardy hit a running dropkick to Umaga and covers but only gets a nearfall. Both men get to their feet and Umaga powers Hardy into the corner. Right hands by Umaga to Hardy in the corner until the referee backs him away. Jeff Hardy slides out of the way of a hip smash in the corner, Whisper in the wind! 1! 2! 2.9999! Umaga kicks out! (JR called it the Twist of Fate... Yikes) Jeff stays on Umaga, bringing him to his feet. Jeff tries to send Umaga into the corner but Umaga stands his ground. Jeff gets sent into the turnbuckles but avoids a Stinger Splash, with Umaga's head meeting the ring post. Jeff climbs to the top for a Swanton! Jeff covers, 1, 2, NOO!

  Jeff Hardy tries to hit the Twist of Fate to seal it but Umaga shoves him into the corner, hip smash by Umaga, sandwiching Hardy. Umaga drags Hardy to the middle of the ring, hits the Samoan Spike and retains his championship.

WINNER: UMAGA (STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion)

First thing's first. THAT FUCKING NERVE HOLD. It lasted longer than it had to, I'd say at least twice as long, besides that Jeff was able to get a lot of stuff in, whilst also making Umaga look practically unstoppable, and rebuild him from his losses in feuds to Cena and Bobby Lashley. These two have had better matches, but this was perfectly serviceable. – Rating: 3.6/10