But most importantly, it was brilliant!

For at least two months now, anyone watching "Monday Night RAW," the flagship TV show of World Wrestling Entertainment, has been subjected to the woes of one Matt Hardy.

As most know, Hardy was let go by WWE in April just as he was preparing to return to work following a six-month rehab after surgery. At that time, company officials told Hardy they had nothing for him to do, that none of their plans included using his character. But speculation among wrestling fans was that the dismissal may have been fueled by Hardy's problems with former girlfriend and WWE wrestler Lita (Amy Dumas) and another WWE wrestler, Edge (Adam Copeland).

Hardy, who had been dating Dumas for five years, had acknowledged through his online Web site that the relationship had ended after he learned she was having an affair with Copeland. Hardy said later he went public with the matter because information had already begun to leak out over the Internet.

In no time following his dismissal, Hardy sympathizers were in full gear and ready to defend their hero. In addition to constant posts on the Internet supporting Hardy and criticizing WWE for releasing him, and an online petition to have the wrestler reinstated, Hardy fans used WWE wrestling events as a forum to express their displeasure toward Dumas and Copeland. At nearly every show where one or both appeared, Dumas and Copeland faced a constant barrage of loud, disruptive chants of "You screwed Matt!"

Though at times seemingly distracted by the disruptions, the two managed to stay on course when working before the crowds. So, it seemed, did WWE officials, whose only acknowledgement of the matter up until this past Monday night has been through a quickly devised storyline that saw Lita turn on "husband" Kane and take up with Edge.

It started part way through the storyline wedding of Edge and Lita, when the minister asked if anyone present opposed the marriage. Following an initial tease that suggested Kane would come out and cause a disruption, a blaring noise ushered in the entrance theme music for Hardy. Instantly, lights began flashing as Hardy's name and likeness appeared on the gigantic TitanTron screen positioned above the entrance ramp that led to the ring.

Believing their hero had returned, fans anticipating seeing Hardy enter the arena erupted in a loud frenzy. Only seconds later, their joy turned to disappointment as Hardy's music subsided. When Edge and Lita, who had at first feigned fear, broke out in laughter, it became obvious that the entire episode was a joke. There would be no Matt Hardy on the show that night.

Finally, after weeks of silence, WWE spoke out. And its message was loud and clear: "Get over it, folks. Matt Hardy is gone, and he is not coming back!"

Tasteless? Yes. Shocking? Very!

Brilliant? Absolutely!

It's the way Vince McMahon does things. And it worked. It got the fans' attention. Hopefully, they will get the point.