On June 23, 2008, Hardy was drafted to the SmackDown brand as a part of the 2008 WWE draft. Hardy made his debut for the brand on the July 4 episode of "SmackDown", defeating John Morrison. Hardy participated in the WWE Championship Scramble match at Unforgiven and also challenged for the championship at No Mercy and Cyber Sunday, but failed to win each time. He was originally scheduled to be in the WWE Championship match at Survivor Series, but, in storyline, was found unconscious in his hotel stairwell, allowing the returning Edge to replace him in the match and win the title. At Armageddon, Hardy defeated Edge and Triple H in a triple threat match to capture the WWE Championship, his first world championship.